A Fireside Chat
By Terry Olsen

Next year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Chapter of CSI.  As we look forward toward the next 50 years, it is good to take a step back and look at the first 50.   At our December program, we took this opportunity to reflect on what our chapter members have accomplished1 and at the challenges and opportunities the Chapter has faced in the past.  These past experiences shaped our Chapter, and sometimes we find old topics coming up again to be addressed as current events.

Gathered around in large leather recliners, we were honored to be joined by esteemed members:  Angie Percich, Don Hammer, Audrey Brucker, Jim Kellett, Wayne Brock, Wally Neal, and Jim Bublitz 2, 3 (see footnotes).  The moderator, intimately familiar since childhood with the CSI family, was chapter president, Marthe Brock.  In question and answer format, following are some of the questions, and the often witty and wise remarks.

The first question Christopher Perego asked all panelists was, “Who would you pick to be with if you were stranded on the North Pole?”
Don Hammer said, “Who would be dumb enough to be stranded on the North Pole?  That’s what snow tires are for.“
Audrey Brucker reflected, her parents, as there was much of her family history she would have liked to have known.
Jim Kellett - romantically – said, “his wife,” and quoted Ecclesiastes 4:11 that “if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?”  And added his wife said she doesn’t want him to share the sleeping bag with anyone but her.
Wally Neal said coolly, “Paul Schurke, arctic explorer; he surely would be able to get out.”
Jim Bublitz revered, “The president of the United States, whoever that may be at the time.  Surely SOMEONE would know where the President is.”
With Marthe’s mom smiling from the closest table, Wayne Brock said his wife.
Angie Perpich replied his wife as well.

Stepping in for Christopher, Marthe asked what life was like in the first days of our chapter. Angie said there were about 25 to 30 original charter members for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Chapter (today the chapter has between 400 and 500 members).  Audrey added the chap ter meeting locations were based on who had the best steak fillet at the cheapest price.  Many of the early meetings were held at the somewhat scary basement of the Midway Twins Motor Lodge, where a salad, baked potato and a steak went for $3.25.  Jim Kellett added that for him the most memorable meeting was put on by the Christian Brothers Winery, the topic being: “How do you specify good wine?“ (Proprietary specs, I’m sure, although it could be fun sampling the “or equals“ for possible substitution.)  At this meeting, instead of giving the speaker a gift as we do now, the speakers themselves brought the gifts.  With each mini course the group learned about another type of wine and sampled it as well.  Then the business meeting began, and it went on, and on, and on, and on, and even guys who never spoke were waxing eloquent.  It was the longest meeting he remembers.  Jim Bublitz added the members were very spirited people (especially THAT night!) and locations with cheap drinks were as important as cheap steaks.

Angie informed us that the Industry members caught on to what a great idea CSI was before the Professional members.  However, Wally added, that Industry members were not allowed to hold offices and were treated as second class citizens.  In fact, to keep the “proper” ratio of Industry to Professional members, Industry representatives could only become members if they recruited a Professional Member, and they could not hold the position of President.  Times have changed, thankfully, and we have so many wonderful Industry members holding various positions within our Chapter, in our Region, and at Institute. 

Demographics have definitely changed, as evidenced by our current female president.  Don mentioned when he joined there were only 2 women members, and when she joined in 1972, Audrey was one of them.  The very first female member joined in the late 1960’s, worked in a small architectural firm and her name was Virginia. 

The Chapter’s forms of communication have changed to what we see today, with an on-line newsletter and email blasts informing us of upcoming Programs.  The first newsletters were cut-and-paste – LITERALLY – for about 6 months.  That was replaced with typewritten notes on orange paper.  Then in 1981 the Chapter took advantage of advertising and Wally founded  and edited Specifics until 1982, when the duties were passed along to Greg Zech and then to Tom Matthews.

Dale Moll, starting in the late 1960’s, really managed to change things, according to Jim Kellett. The Chapter started getting sponsors, looking at budgets, and fiscally moving to the correct side of the red-black line.  Audrey added that Dale introduced long-range Chapter planning.  In fact, Dale transferred that budget sense to the Institute when he served as national president.  According to Jim Bublitz, Dale was also your best friend.  When Dale passed away, amazingly the space was filled with other people who also thought Dale was their best friend.

Marthe noted we have an incredibly active chapter nationally.  Jim Bublitz noted, with respect to the growth of our chapter: So many Minneapolis-Saint Paul chapter members have served at Institute that for a while it seemed the Institute was the MSP “sub-Chapter” in Washington D.C.  Wayne said he contributed much by being quiet – it got you advanced.  (I believe there’s a saying that goes, “If you are quiet, people wonder about your intelligence.  Once you open your mouth, people know.”)

Long-time member, and noteworthy panelist from the back of the room, Alana Griffith, being the first female Industry Institute President mentioned that camaraderie is very important, and that it may not be politically correct or gain us educational credit, but there is a lot of benefit to socializing, and partying, and paying the band a little extra to keep playing until 1:00.  We should get back to enjoying ourselves, because it’s also about how much fun we can have together.  Angie added, the social aspect also allows you to learn from each other, as our members are always willing to share.  The Orientation meeting is critical to letting new members know who we are and helps us retain members.

Marthe ended with a final question: “Do you have any sage words of advice you’d like to share with us?”  Angie replied, “No.”  Don recommended that every member get involved in more than just monthly program attendance, as he found CSI gave so much to the formation of his career that he achieved a level he never anticipated.  Audrey said she learned to speak clearly and better and became a friend to lots of people.  She recommends to, “Be Honest.  If you don’t know, say so, and then get the answer and get back to the person.”  Jim Kellett advised, “Network.”  For the past 4 years he’s worked alone in the spare bedroom and it gets lonesome.  He keeps the roster open and keeps the network alive.  It is very easy to find advice from really smart people.   Wayne beamed, “Have a daughter like Marthe…” and shared that she is doing what he could not do, as Industry members were not allowed to serve in the capacity of President at that time.   Wally noted that one thing that spoils an organization is when someone tries to do it all themselves – instead, split up the job and give it out.  It builds camaraderie as well as grows the depth of our members.  Jim Bublitz advised, “You gotta do something…You gotta go out and get on committees and some of them may not be as much fun.  But it’s amazing how many people you get to know.  Go to the National Convention – you can’t believe how much fun it is!”

As a summary, looking back we were reminded by Wayne Brock of a study, conducted by Stanford Research Institute in 1967, to survey the industry and recommend programs to address information handling needs.  This was before the general availability of computers, and was entitled, “Survey of Current Practice in the Use of Automated Techniques for Specifications.”  It called out 6 levels, starting with common practice of that time: cut and paste.  Level Two was the use of automatic typewriters to reduce typing time and clerical errors.  Level Three was the first level of automation, using a system of storing, retrieving, and modifying specifications from a master standard or guide spec.  (CSI Format was introduced in 1967, which established the system.  But ease of storing and retrieving was hampered by the rental cost of an IBM computer with random access discs, ranging up to approximately $1,700 a month!)  Level Four added automated techniques with better use of the computer’s capabilities, but does not widely implement automation in drawing details.  Level Five considers spec writing an undocumented art, and introduces cost and performance data into the computer, even including land prices, labor costs, code restrictions, and availability of materials.  Level Six, also known as “System X”, replaces traditional design and specifications by computer tools like sophisticated graphics and support software.  Many firms today are at Level Five, and with BIM some are approaching Level Six.  But it has taken 40 years to get here.  How appropriate to look back at this perceptive document looking into the future, on ly to find where we are today and even where we need to go.  Let’s keep moving forward!

1 Peter Norum was not able to work us into his busy schedule in Arizona, but he sent us a letter reminding us in 1992 the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Chapter became the largest chapter in the country, not necessarily due to efforts recruiting members but because L.A. had lost members.
2 Planned panelist, Rod Erickson, was not present at the meeting.  He had an eye appointment in the afternoon; the doctor put drops in his eyes and then would not allow him to drive.  We are certain he could have added many anecdotes and stories to the evening and missed him at the event.
3 Though not on the panel, Bill Rouch, still active at 80 (nearly to the day) and after 40 years of membership, shared a few words of wisdom.  His connections are so good that as Marthe called his name, his cell phone rang!  To be so popular! 

December Meeting Photos

	Jim Kellett
	Bill Rouch
	Wayne Brock
	Panelists
	The entire panel (left to right): Angie Percich, Don Hammer, Audrey Brucker, Jim Kellett, Wayne Brock, Wally Neal, Jim Bublitz
	Members listening to words of wisdom
	Angie Percich
	Audrey Brucker