Chapter

Chapter January Meeting & Program – The New AIA A201
Monday January 14, 2008, The Metropolitan, 5418 Wayzata Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN. 11:30 AM Registration followed by lunch and program

Introduction to Construction Documents - January 17, 2008 -
An Introduction to Construction Documents Course will be held on January 17, 2008 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  This will be a one day course providing a good base for those wishing to increase their knowledge of construction industry practices.  The format will include an overview of CSI’s Project Resource Manual (PRM) and can provide a good foundation for individuals planning on taking the Certified Documents Technology exam.  Architects, engineers, interns, product representatives, contractors and others in the construction industry will benefit from this course. For complete details about the program, as well as the registration information, see Chapter News

2008 Product Showcase, "Education: What It Takes To Raise a Village"
Tuesday, February 26, 2008, RAPSON HALL, Univ. of MN - College of Design*, 89 SE Church Street Minneapolis, MN

2:00 PM - Registration Begins
2:30-4:00 PM - Educational Seminars
4:00-7:00 PM - Exhibits in Rapson Hall, Food, Beverages & Social and Networking

In conjunction with the University of Minnesota’s College of Design, the 2008 Product Showcase Committee has sent out the Exhibitor’s Registration Forms, and we are expecting a full house – filled with exciting new product and service innovations. We have also selected two great topics for our afternoon seminars. Look for full details and Event Registration Forms forthcoming in the next few weeks.

So mark your calendars to attend and plan to “get educated” at our seminars, informed by the best and the brightest product and service providers in our market, and enjoy an evening of beverages and good food with your industry associates.

For further information, or to make sure you are on our mailing list please contact bruce.saline@abtdrains.com or snoble@intrinxec.com at CSI chapter management office.

Region

North Central Region Conference – July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. Those attending will be helping the Milwaukee Chapter CSI, celebrate their 50th Anniversary. As more information on the Technical program as well as Conference details becomes available, it will be announced in upcoming issues of Specifics Newsletter and at the North Central Region Website;  www.csi-northcentralregion.org

Institute

“FREE” CSI Webinars – CDT Program Overview,Thursdays, January 17 and February 7, 2-3:30pm ET.

• Not sure if the CDT is right for you? Join us for a one of these two FREE webinars on the CDT Certificate and how it can promote your career.
  
  Each session provides an overview of the CDT program, its history, industry and professional benefits, and exam procedures. If you have been considering pursuing a CSI certification, the CDT exam is where it begins.
  
  Topics Covered:
    -  What is the CDT certificate program?
    -  Who should take the exam?
    -  What are the benefits of being a CDT?
    -  What are the basic requirements and knowledge needed to take the exam?
    -  What resources are available for exam preparation?
    -  How to register for the exam

Space is limited for sites and individuals registering and is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Register now to ensure your space. All Registrations must be received two (2) business days prior to the Webinar. To get more information and register go to www.csinet.org and click on "Professional Development".

CSI Webinar – How The Courts Interpret Specifications,Tuesday, January 22, 2-3:30pm ET.

Gerald Katz, Esq, is a partner with Katz & Stone, L.L.P., a specialty construction law firm based in the Washington, D.C. area. In addition to his practice, Katz lectures frequently on such topics as construction risk management, negotiating construction contracts, construction claims and claims prevention, liability of the design professional and construction insurance issues.

Description: Specifications are contract provisions. Like any other portion of a construction contract which is unclear or unambiguous, a faulty specification often creates disputes which then must be resolved by the courts according to basic rules of contract interpretation. Being familiar with these rules will not only help in understanding and using specifications, but it will enable specifiers to do a better job of crafting clear, concise specifications and avoiding disputes.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand the basic yet important rules of contract interpretation as they apply to specifications.
• To apply the rules to write clear and unambiguous specifications.
• To avoid contract disputes which result from ambiguities, conflicts and discrepancies in the specifications.

Credit: 0.15 CSI CEUs, 1.5 AIA LUs, HSW Credit
Because participants are charged per site/telephone connection—not per person—a group can split the cost of a session registration! CSI members are encouraged to share a session (and the CSI member discount) with co-workers, other members, and guests from other firms. Invite your colleagues to join you for this seminar at no additional charge. Space is limited for sites and individuals registering and is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Register now to ensure your space. All Registrations must be received two (2) business days prior to the Webinar. To get more information and register go to www.csinet.org and click on "Professional Development".

To Be or Not to Be Vapor Permeable!
Selecting the Proper Envelope Barriers Based on Climate, Codes and Design Criteria

February 28, 2008, 2:00-3:30 pm EST

Speaker: Dr. Maria Spinu, PhD, CSI
 
Description: Three important components of the building enclosure include: air barriers, water-resistant barriers and vapor barriers. While the function of individual barriers is relatively well understood, there is confusion on the consequences of combining two or more functions into a single membrane. For example, one often asked question is on the choice of vapor permeable or vapor non-permeable air barriers. A vapor permeable air barrier allows vapor diffusion, while a vapor non-permeable air barrier combines the air and vapor barrier functions into a single membrane. Consequently, the question to be asked is whether the design criteria for the two barriers are the same. This is often not the case and the combination of air and vapor barrier into a single membrane could lead to moisture problems when used in the wrong application. This seminar will describe the fundamental principles for moisture control to help answer the question.
 
Learning Objectives:

• Understand the air, water and water vapor transport through the building enclosure
• Understand the role and the design criteria for air, water and vapor barriers; review of current codes for air, water and vapor barriers
• General Guidelines for the choice of vapor permeable or non-permeable air and water barriers

Credit: 0.15 CSI CEUs, 1.5 AIA LUs, HSW Credit

2008 CSI Construction Academies, February 7-9, 2008, Orlando, FL. The CSI Construction Academies is a two-and-a-half-day education program that enhances capabilities of construction industry professionals. This training program for intermediate to advanced professionals is tailored to product representatives, specifiers, construction administrators and architects.

Construct 2008, CSI Annual Show, June 3-6, 2008, Las Vegas Convention Center, NV. As CONSTRUCT's new owner and producer, Hanley Wood Exhibitions is dedicated to continuing the strong history of the CSI Show and solidifying our role in the commercial construction industry. Possessing deep knowledge of residential and commercial construction, experienced show management and quality educational programming, we offer powerful reach and a solid track record of delivering results. Online Housing and Travel is now open!  Attendee Registration opens early February, 2008.

Mississippi Headwaters USGBC

LEED-NC Technical Review Workshop

January 17, 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Como Park Zoo & Conservatory - Auditorium (2nd Floor) St. Paul, MN 

Space is limited, register early as the session fills quickly. Attend the LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations Technical Review Workshop presented by the U.S. Green Building Council. Gain the knowledge needed to maximize building performance, achieve LEED certification and take the LEED Professional Accreditation Exam.

For more information on the workshop click here.

LEED for Homes Technical Review Workshop

February 25, 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, Duluth, MN 

This program provides key concepts needed for successful participation in the LEED for Homes program. Walk through the Rating system and learn green design and construction practices, certification and verification procedures, benefits and costs of LEED Homes. Specific focus on Mandatory Measures, Location & Linkages, Landscaping & Irrigation, Revised Measures, the LEED Energy Credit, Durability, the Small Home and the Home Size Adjuster.