Hello CSI Memphis Chapter!
It is with both excitement and trepidation I commence my term as CSI Memphis Chapter President. We are all burdened during this time with health concerns over the transmission and spread of Novel Coronavirus, attendant social distancing that is affecting communications and ability to gather together as a body, and the unknown financial ramifications the lockdowns will have on our economy, the construction industry and our segments within.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jeffrey Parnell for his service as Chapter President over the previous two years. Jeffrey his Officers and Directors provided excellent leadership in growing the Build/IT Products Display Show to a well-organized and attended event and fund raiser for the Dempsey B. Morrison Foundation Scholarship Fund (DBMSF). Jeffrey and team also provided interesting Programs for the Member Luncheons and presided over the 60th Anniversary Award Show. Jeffrey has respectfully represented the Memphis Chapter at Regional and National events and meetings, and lead to our Chapter’s many Regional and National awards. Thank you!
The mandate to quarantine to slow the spread of the Corona Virus ultimately forced the Chapter to cancel Build/ IT Products Display Show for 2020. There is just too much uncertainty and risk to plan, fund and attempt to hold the event under the current constraints. This will place a burden on our Chapter for the year to try to raise funds to support DBMSF, as pledged. To this end we need to plan additional activities to support our Chapter Membership and Scholarship Recipients. I hope we can hold an even bigger Build/It in the spring, I’m sure there will be pent up demand.
The future of our profession is in the minds and hearts of the young people imagining and modifying the environment. I would like to build on the contacts we have developed with the University of Memphis and become more involved with students and activities. I think we can also reach out to other local institutions of higher learning to connect with their students as well. We have reached across to other professional construction and design organizations to conduct joint social activities that brought us together and presented our organization to additional potential members. This appears an excellent avenue for member growth.
I look forward to serving you this year, and will do my best to make it a success. It will already be memorable, so we will build upon that!
Sincerely,
Gary M. White CSI, AIA