CSC 2019 conference wrap-up: Building collaboration in Regina

by nithya_caleb | July 29, 2019 2:31 pm

by Blair Adams

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The spirit of Rider Nation was ever-present as attendees gathered at Delta Hotels Regina for the Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) national conference. Held May 22 to 26 in Regina, Sask., the theme of this year’s conference was “People, Building, Opportunity,” but one could not help but feel “the 13^th man” vibe that has become synonymous with the city and their beloved Canadian Football League (CFL) team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

A hallmark of CSC conferences is the outstanding networking opportunities combined with a top-notch speaker program. This year, the Regina Chapter organizing committee did not disappoint, garnering much praise from attendees for a job well done.

The event kicked off with the Welcome Reception (sponsored by Building Systems Design [BSD]), followed the next day by the Welcome Breakfast featuring a presentation by this year’s conference charity, Street Culture Project Inc., a Regina based non-profit organization that actively works to empower vulnerable youth within the community.

The technical discussions were standing-room only as attendees had a choice of three educational streams each day. The sessions included presentations such as “Women in the Industry: A Panel Discussion on Technical Writing, Design & Other Relevant Topics,”  which was moderated by Kim Tompkins, FCSC, CTR, and included panel members Abigail MacEachen, RSW, Alana Sunness-Griffith, FCSI, Melodie Pike, CTR, Kelly Sawatzky, CSP, RSW, and Colleen Barabonoff, RSW. Other topics included “Preventable Curtain Wall Failures,” by Anthony Santocono of Kwaneer; “Fire Resistance and Firestopping,” with Bill McHugh of the Firestop Contractors International Association; and “A New World of Acoustics,” with Bob Lang of Armstrong World Industries.

Throughout the conference, there were experts sharing experience and sage advice on everything from innovations in mass timber construction to insurance myths and concrete specifications, to name a few.

Toting CSC/BSD SpecMarket.com conference bags, attendees were also able to network during ‘speed’ sessions between seminars or in the exhibit hall during the popular Connections Café.

At the Thursday luncheon (sponsored by Mapei), delegates were glued to their seats listening to tornado hunter Greg Johnson share his harrowing experiences and amazing photographs chasing storms across parts of Canada and the United States.

The specified slider does not exist.

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At the next day’s luncheon, sponsored by Kenilworth Media Inc. (publishers of this magazine), keynote speaker, entrepreneur Kendal Netmaker, detailed his journey growing up in poverty in Sweetgrass First Nation, Sask., to the creation of his company, Neechie Gear—a lifestyle apparel brand that empowers youth through sports. A percentage of all Neechie Gear profits go toward funding underprivileged youth to take part in sports.

Later, at the CGC-sponsored Fun Night, attendees donned their favourite sports team jersey and boarded buses to Mosaic Stadium, home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, for an old-fashioned tailgate party. Festivities included delicious food, games, comedy, and live music.

A highlight of the conference is always the President’s Reception and Ball (sponsored by Custom Tile Installation System). Delegates, companions, and special guests celebrated this year’s Life Award and President’s Award recipients, and listened to an address by incoming president Greg Hofsted on the value of being a CSC member and the importance of continuing the work the association has done thus far in improving communication and documentation in the AEC community. The formal program was followed by a night
of dancing.

Recognizing excellence

Sponsored by Alumicor, the annual awards luncheon was emceed by the Atlantic Chapter’s Abigail MacEchem, RSW. The event gave CSC a chance to celebrate its best and brightest members and associates.

CSC Life Award

The CSC Life Award is the highest accolade the association bestows on individuals in recognition of their service. This year, two distinguished CSC members were honoured with Life Awards: Brian Colgan, FCSC, RSW, of the Atlantic Chapter and Michael Schneider, FCSC, CCCA, of the Edmonton Chapter.

Brian Colgan, FCSC, RSW

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Colgan has been a member of CSC for more than 25 years, having joined in May 1993. He became a Registered Specification Writer (RSW) in 1998.

Colgan has held various positions on CSC’s executive council, including president (2009 to 2010) and vice-president (2005 to 2009). He also served as the director of the Atlantic Chapter in 2002.

As vice-president, he prepared the much-referenced how-to guide, “So You’re the Chapter Chair Now.” He was also instrumental in establishing the online version of the Technical Representative (TR) program.

After completing his term on the executive council, Colgan returned to the board as registrar for three terms.

Colgan has represented CSC on the Uniform Drawing System (UDS) Task Team of Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) for a number of years. He was a member of the TSC and Tek-Aid committees and Construction Canada’s Editorial Advisory Board. Colgan also started the Acronyms and Abbreviations Guide for Board members.

Colgan played an instrumental role on the Education Maintenance Task Team (EMTT) for several years. He continues to act as a mentor and sounding board to many members on the executive council as well as at the chapter level.

He has worked for over 40 years at what is now known as Architecuture49 in Halifax, N.S., after earning his diploma in architectural drafting from Dr. Burnridge Vocational School in 1970.

As a seasoned project manager and senior specification writer, Colgan is responsible for the preparation and implementation of contract documentation, working with municipal, provincial, and federal governments in procuring development agreements, and assuring officials local codes, zoning requirements, and national code standards are adhered to in all documents.

Recipient of numerous CSC awards, Colgan was inducted into the CSC College of Fellows in 2011.

Michael Schneider, FCSC, CCCA

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Schneider has been a program manager with the City of Edmonton since January 1981. In this capacity, he is responsible for the execution of the city’s capital projects with a primary focus on recreational facilities for the last 10 years. Schneider’s roles and responsibilities include liaising with various client and user groups to facilitate the ongoing implementation of projects.

Schneider joined CSC in March 1988, and has been actively involved with CSC at both the chapter and national levels, as well as on the international stage representing the association in a number of capacities and liaising with CSI and the International Framework Dictionaries (IFD).

Schneider has held various positions at the chapter level including director. He played a key role in rebuilding the Edmonton Chapter membership and was also instrumental in developing programs recognized by the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) for continuing education credits (CEU).

Schneider was elected to the executive council in 2002 and has held the positions of vice-president, president, and immediate past president/registrar (concluding in 2009).

As chair of the Education Certification Committee (ECC), Schneider helped revamp the Principles of Construction Documentation (PCD) course as well as develop its online version. He played a key role in the development of the Certified Specifications Practitioner (CSP) designation. This effort resulted in the 2011 launch of CSP application procedures and submission form documentation. Since then, Schneider has acted as chair of the CSP subcommittee.

He has received numerous awards from CSC both at the chapter and national levels, including the President’s Award in 2005.

 

CHAPTERS: ACCOLADES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COLLECTIVES

[5] The President’s Chapter Awards of Merit encourage and recognize active, forward-looking chapters in categories ranging from membership growth and education programs to financial contributions and meeting attendance. This year’s qualifiers were Atlantic, Calgary, Edmonton, Grand Valley, Montréal, Regina, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver Island. When it came time to decide the best of the best and hand over the Lloyd Boddy Chapter of the Year Award, the Calgary Chapter was the winner, excelling in areas such as professional development opportunities, spirit, and participation in local industry and CSC committees. The chapters themselves also present Awards of Merit to their own outstanding members. This year’s winners include: Atlantic— John-Nevan McCullough and Richard Kassner; Ottawa— Brian Hepworth, CCCA, and Jeff Halashewski, RSW; Grand Valley—Danielle Mahn; London—Kees Govers and Allan Taylor; Montréal—Danielle Couture, Daniel Morin, and Thierry Segard; Regina—Dylan Elliot; Saskatoon—Kelly Bodlt, CSP, and Misty Alexandre; Toronto—Isabelle Champagne, CTR, Bob Hartogsveld, CTR, CCCA, and Stacey Bogdanow, CTR; Vancouver—Randy Smith, CTR, and Josh Dewey CTR; Vancouver Island—Todd Gerrard, CTR; Winnipeg—Michael Sagriff, Jean Gallagher, and Ryan Epp; Calgary—Jonathon Greenland, CTR, Peter Hiebert, FCSC, CTR, and Sylvie Dzikewich, CTR, and; Edmonton— Dylan Leclair and Kyla Keller.

F. Ross Browne Award

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The F. Ross Browne Award recognizes editorial excellence in Construction Canada, highlighting the author or co-authors of an article in the magazine. This year, the publication’s editorial advisory board (EAB) chose a September 2018 piece from a shortlist of top contenders. Frequent Construction Canada contributor Steve Titus, P.Eng., was the recipient for his article, “Making Music in an Old Warehouse.”

Program Director Awards

Program Director Awards were given out in several categories.

Publications Award

For their years of service on the Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) of CSC’s flagship publication, Construction Canada, the recipients of Publications Program Director Awards were Brian Colgan, FCSC, RSW, Mitch Brooks, FCSC, and Phil Evans, FCSC.

Technical Studies

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Claude Giguère, FCSC, received the Technical Studies Committee Program Director Award for his continued work as the CSC representative to the Institute for BIM Canada, now called buildingSmart Canada. For their work on the review of CCDC documents, Kelly Sawatzky, CSP, RSW, and David Graham also received awards.

Conferences

In recognition of their work in hosting the informative and fun event in Regina, members of the 2019 Regina Conference Committee (in attendance) received Program Director Awards:

• Tim Walsh, CCCA
• Kevin Hendricks
• Katrina Nagle
• Jay Jones
• Chris Roszell
• Darrell Kennedy
• Nicole George
• Amber Burt
• Bob Friesen, CCCA
• Collin Halliwell
• Don Shankowsky
• Roberta Walsh
• Garth Huber
• Rick Hadubiak, CTR, CCCA
• Rory Gin , CCCA
• Dylan Elliott
• Wyatt Eckert

Education Certification

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Jess Watson received an award for his work in implementing the CSC Principles of Construction Documentation (PCD) course into the curriculum at Red River College in Winnipeg.

Peter Semchuk, FCSC, RSW, CCCA, received an award for his continued support of the CSC Education and Certification Programs, and for his efforts and work on the RSW sub-committee.

Other award recipients included Douglas Ault, CCCA, and Glenn Chatten.

Marketing

George Heath, FCSC, received a Program Director Award for his work in the development of the Chapter Marketing Liaison Guide.

 Membership/Chapter Development and Communications

The Montréal Chapter’s Isabelle Buisson was recognized for her efforts in helping the association process new and renewing members from Québec, while Corinn Golding, FCSC, RSW, of the Calgary Chapter and Michael Sagriff of the Winnipeg Chapter received awards for work on their local Chapter Specifier.

National Award of Merit

This award is presented to members in recognition of their contributions to the well-being of CSC. Board members can nominate or endorse the nomination of a member to whom they believe an award should be made beyond that of a Chapter Award of Merit for exceptional effort, zeal, effectiveness, and time expended for the benefit of CSC as a whole. This year, Terrance Bergen, CCCA, of the Vancouver Island Chapter, and Yvon Lachance, CCCA, of the Montréal Chapter, were the recipients of the National Award of Merit.

Bergen was recognized for his efforts in creating the Vancouver Island Chapter and for continuing to ensure its well-being during his time on the Board of Directors.

Lachance was recognized for his work on the translation of CSC courses and for spearheading the creation, and chairing, the CSC Translation Committee.

Fellowship

This year, the ranks of the College of Fellows rose by one with the induction of David Boyle, CTR. Chancellor Mike Garlinski, FCSC, dean John Lape, FCSC, FCSI, CCS, registrar Peter Semchuk, FCSC, RSW, CCCA, and treasurer Claude Giguère, FCSC, were joined by many other Fellows at the induction ceremony.

David Boyle, CTR

Boyle, a technical sales representative with W. R. Meadows of Canada, has been a member since early 2000. He was one of the individuals responsible for the revitalization of the Grand Valley Chapter. Boyle was also integral to the success of the CSC Conference in Kitchener. During his movement through the CSC executive council, Boyle worked diligently to ensure all decisions were for the betterment of the association. Boyle has now taken on the role of chair for CSC Conference 2023. Boyle possesses an attitude that is next to none. He cares and works to get things done, but also wants to have fun.

Montréal bound

Next year, the CSC National Conference moves to Montréal. Yvon Lachance and Pierre-Luc Baril are co-chairs of an energetic Conference Committee, and plans for the 2020 event—which is scheduled to take place at the Bonaventure Hotel on May 20,2020, are well underway.

MEMBERS OLD AND NEW

When an industry group grows, it means people see value in its goals (and benefits), and want to be part of it. There were 216 new (and renewing) members in 2018. Of those, 44 were sponsored by 31 current members. Russell W. Cornell Award for Membership Recruitment To qualify for the Russell W. Cornell Award, a member must sponsor at least three new members during the membership year. This year, Jesse Watson of the Winnipeg Chapter garnered Honourable Mention status by sponsoring five new members. However, it was Kaz Kanani, CSP, CCCA, of the Toronto Chapter who took home the award by sponsoring eight new members in 2018. Membership Longevity Awards 10 years Mike Lafontaine, CTR Jeff de Waal Joanna Tiffin Michel (Mike) Lanthier Alan Cohen Robert Hartogsveld, CTR, CCCA Anna Sulima Andrew Sefton Doug Hilderman David Amgar Sylvie Dzikewich, CTR Zana Gordon Patrick Fagan Marc Deschamps Kris Evoy Neil Ingram David Purdy, CCCA Amber Moar Dennis Hodkinson, CCCA Darin Schindel, CCCA Bradley Morris, CSP Sean Rolfe, CTR Dennis McLain Nicolas de Moncuit Victor Chau, CCCA Susan Gosney Stephen D. Houston Mike Korol Jeff M. Gelmych, CCCA Brenda Thompson Darren Wigley, CCCA Daniel Passera 15 years Erik Tolles Vince Smith Gates Bilodeau Martin Tessier Darlene Helfrich, CTR Danielle Couture Adrian S. Todeila, CCCA Alain Lemieux John Zilli Colleen Barabonoff, RSW Richard Beaulieu Terrence Bergen, CCCA Jean Peters Mydy Chan Chris Eichhorn Kerry Nikolai Greg Woitas Brad Smith James R. Simpson Les Yard, CTR Andre Fortin Serge Lepine Jim Klikach, CCCA Maurice A. Tremblay Neil Henrikson Sydney A.P. Henriques, CCCA Carlee Brattan Stephen Teal Aris Dalakis, CCCA William D. Preston Joe McDermid, CTR Dave Gaunt Skip Helfrich Louis Leduc Don Wilkinson Reid McCauley Peter S. Emmett, FCSC, CCCA Christian E. Knudsen Hans Hakkarainen François Fugère Ed Djonlich Blair Bennett, CTR Shelly Slobodzian Reg Spurrill Tom Bird Karen Fourchalk Jacques Beaulieu Robb A.A. Heit Peter Padley Jim Witty Guillermo Cordero, CTR, CSP Mary Van De Gevel John Sharpe Greer Grady Scott Cunning, CCCA Nathan Thompson, CTR John S. Robis Dinu Filip Kees Govers Terry Smith Cyrus Kabeer, CSP Ryan McEwen Paul Skerry John P. Kocjan Lisa Dalton, CTR Greg Ceton 20 Years Claude Giguère, FDCC, FCSC Steven P. Bourdeau, CCCA, CSP Monica Baillie William Ross McIntyre, CCCA Deon H.J. Wilner, CCCA Thomas Egli Mila Legge, RSW Gary R. Smith, CCCA Alain Jette Dale M. Millar Robert J. Menchetti Carl Selden Brian Baird, CTR James Hargreaves Garry R. McFarlane, CTR Stephen W. Burdy, CCCA Pierre Provost Vrej-Armen Artinian Brent Fraser, RSW Tim G. Walsh, CCCA Rock Jerome, CCCA Ned Santarossa Jamie Murphy, CCCA D. Gord Joorisity Ellen Kral Robert Venasse, CTR John Pogacar Betty-Jo Tell, RSW, CCCA 25 Years Malcolm B. Eyre Steven Faulkner Ragaa N. Tadros John G. Cooke, FCSC, RSW Rick Kalenchuk, CCCA Rick Morgan Vladimir Sobot Bruce W. Hudson, CTR Brent Riley Spyros Aplidgiotis Robert J. Rymell Charles Sopher B. Alan Scott Kimberly J. Tompkins, FCSC, CTR Arthur E. Buse 30 Years Mike Grace Paula Webber Lewis Acre J. Morcone Keith Robinson, FCSC, RSW John A. Harder Ken Smith Leo Cammalleri Bob W. Spenst, FCSC, CTR, CCCA Don Shortreed, FCSC, RSW Gerry D. Ens Michael Paquette Peter L. Semchuk, FCSC, RSW, CCCA Thomas Dunbar, FCSC, RSW Walter Gough 35 Years Harvey Rebalkin 40 Years Norman Bresser Christopher Borgal Allan Broder Don B. Marks Boyd R. Bruhm Anwerali H. Chagani, RSW Bruce Wallbridge John Weber Robert N. Mercer, FCSC Del Hammerlindl, CTR Walter G. Strachan, FCSC, RSW 45 Years Craig Bell, FCSC David R. McGuigan, FCSC Jim Tobros, FCSC 50 Years Peter Zahradnik, RSW Roy H. Ball, FCSC, RSW Gary A. Hartman, RSW Willem de Lint, FCSC John M. Jensen, FCSC

 

Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/building-collaboration-in-regina/

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