I apologize for the delay in getting this newsletter out to all of you.  I have had a personal heartbreak and, while it has delayed getting this to you, it makes me realize that we all must live life to the fullest and show the people that we love how much we care about them.   This theme seems appropriate as we just finished celebrating a New Year with all of its promise and have Valentine's Day around the corner.

CSI Database

This seems to be the hot topic of late.  CSI is continuing to resolve the database installation issues that have caused CSI to suspend reports and dues disbursements.  But they are continuing to work on it.  

• CSI has not terminated any member's membership since mid-November.  

• CSI is slowly processing join and renewal applications from the late fall.

• CSI will issue information about the applications processed to date to leaders shortly.

• CSI is weeks from fully restoring reporting services for CSI leaders.  

• CSI leaders can download reports from November, which were created prior to the outage.

• CSI will resume issuing dues disbursements after all applications have been processed, non-renewing members identified, and their memberships terminated.

• Members who need to check the status of an individual membership may send an email to Chapterrelations@csinet.org.

• Corporate partner members should direct all inquiries on any aspect of membership (or certification or Academies registration) to CSI Corporate Partner Manager Shannon Pennington at spennington@csinet.org.

• CSI members with renewal dates in December or January are strongly encouraged to renew online at portal.csinet.org.

• New members may join online at portal.csinet.org.

• CSI members may update their contact information at portal.csinet.org. Changing company names may require an additional email to csi@csinet.org.

• CSI has opened registration for the CSI Academies at www.csinet.org/academies.

• CSI has opened registration for CSI Certificate and Certification Exams at www.csinet.org/certification. .

• Members with extended memberships, as described above, were issued ballots for the 2015 election. Contact election@csinet.org with additional questions about the election.

• CSI's Member Directory is available, but not current, and should not be used for chapter reporting.

Please direct questions and comments to Joy Davis at jdavis@csinet.org , or to csi@csinet.org or at 703-706-4795.

 Elections

CSI's election will open in February.  The following people are running for the following positions in the Great Lakes Region:

President Elect: Hank Hondorp (Grand Rapids)

Vice President: Jim McDonald (Columbus), Ken Schmidt (Indianapolis), Donald Bauman (Detroit)

Secretary: Ed Brown (Indianapolis), Scott Mitchell Taylor (Cleveland)

Institute Director:  Thad Goodman (Columbus)

Don't forget to vote!

Bi-Region Conference

The 2015 Bi-Region Conference will be with the North East Region on May 7th-9th, 2015 in Chicago, IL and will host 29 chapters.  What an opportunity to learn and share experiences with other CSI Members.    Please visit the website http://www.csibiregion15.org/ for Preliminary Conference Schedule and Hotel information.  The Conference will be held at the Chicago Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, next to the Merchandise Mart.  The Host Committee has negotiated rooms at the value of $139 per night.  I look forward to seeing you.   Please don't forget to submit for Great Lakes Region Awards.  (I definitely want the Great Lakes Region to show the North Central Region the great chapters and members in our region.)  

The 2016 GLR Conference will be in Louisville and I'm impressed that they are already underway in planning.

Chapter Leadership Training

The Great Lakes Region is continuing to work on leadership powerpoint presentations.  Our "Chapter Secretaries" went well last month with GLR Secretary, Dan McCloskey presenting.  Please look for our next presentation on "Chapter Presidents".  If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Jack Morgan (morwalsoplad1@gmail.com).

CSI Akron Canton Chapter

As I promised, I will be highlighting one chapter a month in my addresses.  This month it is the 

CSI Akron Canton Chapter.  

• Chapter Meetings:  Third Thursday of the Month at varied locations. Registration eblast sent to members prior to meeting.
• Chartered: On March 27, 1997, at the monthly dinner meeting, Larry Raymond, president of the Great Lakes Region, presented Larry Everhard with a gavel, and a Charter for the Akron-Canton Chapter, CSI. Forty-two charter members, most of whom were present, received their charter certificates.
• Lunch and Learn Program: We have scheduled Continuing Education meetings the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. We provide a box lunch and Akron-Canton CSI and AIA members are free and non-members are $25 - list of Lunch and Learn meetings may be found on our website http://akroncanton.csinet.org.
• Members:  Currently 58 members, with several CDTs, and a few CCPR, CCSs and CCCAs, two retired member, and three student members. Currently we have two emerging professionals.
• Traditions:  Focus on Membership retention and education, community involvement and support, as well as development of partnerships with the AIA and NAWIC.  We have joint meetings with varried associations throughout the year.
• Annual Events: Annual events include our June golf outing with AIA Akron and Cleveland CSI. We have a product show in March, and our holiday party with AIA Akron and NAWIC in December.
• Monthly Publication:  "The fACts," currently being sent out to all members and prospect database. Our Akron-Canton CSI website: http://akroncanton.csinet.org  keeps members up to date.
• A Chapter Best Practice: Review our 3 Year Plan every six months to spark encouragement and evaluate for successes and changes.

Peace,