Words from the Chair - Specifier: June 2016

June is here and the CSC chapter is preparing for our annual SpecGolf tournament coming up on July 14th. The new time and venue is in response to the tough time the chapter has getting everyone out in September. We’re hoping that there aren’t too many people away on vacation. If you like the date or have any feedback, please let me know. We are currently still trying to gather feedback for the program report, so if you or someone you know wants to get involved and present, please bring your ideas forward. We’ve also been notified that Simon Wong will the recipient of the CSC Vancouver Chapter Bursary award this year. Every year the chapter awards $750 to a BCIT student, the awards ceremony took place on June 22nd, 2016

For those that didn’t get to make it out to Halifax for CSC National Conference this year, you missed out, the Halifax chapter sure knows how to plan a great event. I’ve never seen so much lobster stacked on plates as there was at the fun night. Our Director (Kim Tompkins) was the best dressed pirate and also got inducted in the College of Fellows. This is only awarded to those have made outstanding contributions to CSC (job well done Kim, you deserve it!).

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Words from the Chair - Specifier: April 2016

As I sit in my hotel room here in Drummondville, QC, I can’t help but miss the warmer weather to be had back home. I see snow piles remaining from a couple days ago, while at home we see tulips everywhere.

We are a little more than 1 month away from a departure flight to Halifax and I must say this is a trip I’m looking forward to. I’ve never been to Halifax, but I’ve heard this Chapter really knows how to throw a party. The Vancouver Chapter are looking forward to conference this year because we get a chance to host the Hospitality Suite on Thursday May 26th. Let’s show the National crowd what to expect for next year in Kelowna.

Please join us next month (May 12th) for our annual site tour taking place at the Marine Gateway project. This mixed use project is located on the new skytrain line to make for easy access. We will have lunch at the Dublin Crossing Pub (466 Marine Dr, Vancouver). After lunch Ryan Bragg (Lead Architect) and Joshua Rudd will take us on a tour of the project while explaining the project history and process.

On another note, registration is now available on our website for the annual Spec Golf tournament. We have changed date and venue this year. The tournament will be held on July 14th at Fort Langley Golf Course. Please register soon; this is a great chance to bring a customer out for a day of golf and network amongst your peers during the dinner and prizes night.

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Words from the Chair - Specifier: March 2016

In February David Valk of Jenkins Marzban Logan spoke about “The Consequences of Failing to Uphold Worker Safety Regulations”. This is always an interesting topic that directly or indirectly affects many people within the industry on every project. It’s always interesting to hear the take on past cases that were the result of safety to ensure that we learn from past mistakes to ensure safer times ahead. We all have families we like to get home to see at the end of the day, so let’s speak out when we see unsafe acts on sites. In addition CSC National is hosted a Winter Workshop in Vancouver for Construction Contract Administration (CCA) March 7-11, 2016. This gave people the option of completing the course in 5 days. This course was held at the Pacific Gateway Hotel in Richmond. If you or someone you know is interested in any of these courses or the variety of online courses offered, please let us know.

We’re a little over 2 months away from Conference in Halifax. Hopefully everyone has a chance to see this event. Having gone for a number of years now, I can say it’s fun. The Vancouver Chapter will host the Hospitality Suite on Thursday May 26th. We’d really like to have a great presence to prepare for Conference in Kelowna in 2017. Hope to see you there!

James Kelly CTR
Chapter Chair CSC – Vancouver Chapter

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Words from the Chair - Specifier: December 2015

December is finally upon us, the Christmas party rush is here. This month Fiona Famulak is presenting at our December luncheon. Fiona will be presenting her insight on the outlook for 2016 and beyond. The industry keeps humming along and seems busier now than at this time last year. VRCA has been meeting with their membership over the last year with a goal towards improving the quality of construction documentation. CSC continues to strive towards the same objective and will be working closely with Fiona during the coming year to give our insight towards initiative being driven down by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). In addition to this initiative CSC also plans to work closer with VRCA for education as well. Education is part of the mission for CSC and working closely with VRCA we hope to tap into a larger market. CSC will be hosting an in-class PCD course (proposed start date January 27th, 2016). These courses are held at the VRCA classroom, check the website for registration information or email Robert Jahnsen at (Robert@div7.ca). In addition CSC National is hosting a Winter Workshop in Vancouver for Construction Contract Administration (CCA) March 7-11, 2016. This gives people the option of completing the course in 5 days. This course will be held at the Pacific Gateway Hotel in Richmond. If you or someone you know is interested in any of these courses or the variety of online courses offered, please let us know.

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Words from the Chair - Specifier: October 2015

Hopefully everyone had an enjoyable summer! I just arrived in Victoria and while I very much enjoy this beautiful city I can’t help but ask myself where are the days going? Halloween must be right around the corner. (getting dark at 7pm, what happened?) We’ve been through a very dry summer, and now it seems the rain has arrived. I never thought I would say it, but I actually missed it. We saw a terrible storm that pulled trees up so easily due to the lack of rain. We saw the “Ride to Conquer Cancer” event get cancelled mid day because it just wasn’t safe to have people continue. We’re happy to see that nobody was injured and we can continue the fight again next year.

I would personally like to thank the CSC Vancouver chapter for welcoming me as the new Chapter Chair. We have a great team that has supported the Chapter for many years and I personally look forward to the exciting journey up ahead. I can only hope that I am able to continue the great leadership carried by my predecessor and now Director Kim Tompkins. Kim has become a close friend and mentor to me over the years and I hope I can carry the torch as far as she did. As the board struggled to find attendees for golf this year, we are looking for new ideas for future years. Is it a “9 and dine” event people want, or is the location bad. We’ve struggled in previous years to find attendees for this event, but maybe the members want something different, please bring your ideas ahead. The open door policy means we are always looking for your feedback!

We have some new faces on the board this year and of course the die hard few that just won’t leave (thankfully). It makes me think of the national conference coming to Vancouver in 2017. We have the conference planning committee in full motion, and the ideas coming out of it are outstanding. We encourage more members to get involved, let’s see if we can make this the best conference ever. With Halifax coming in 2016, I think this will be a tough one to beat! I’ve always wanted to visit this city, and can’t wait to see what the Halifax Chapter has in store for us.

I hope to bring a few tidbit comparisons of Vancouver (Kelowna) over the coming months. Let’s see how the 2 regions compare. “While the east coast has Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, Vancouver has Lighthouse Park. I think they have us beat there, but have you tasted Pacific Salmon?” Please bring your thoughts on comparisons between the two regions, I’d love to hear from the more experienced that have actually visited Halifax. Maybe I’ll stay a couple extra days in Halifax in May 2016.

James Kelly CTR
Chapter Chair CSC – Vancouver Chapter

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Words from the Chair - Specifier: May 2015

I find myself with mixed emotions writing my final column before turning over the reins to a very capable James Kelly, CTR of Soprema. Mixed because I have such a passion for this association and have so very much enjoyed being a part of such a hardworking and dedicated executive committee. That is the sad part of the equation the other part is relief because I have my own business to run and finding balance has been difficult on occasion. I guess a third emotion is the pride in knowing that there is a very capable team taking on the operations of the association made up of both existing and new team members. So much gets done on a daily basis for the Vancouver Chapter by the many individuals who put aside their paying work and don an impartial and unbiased industry hat for the betterment of the association that I need to acknowledge them here. They are in no particular order but deserve a virtual “high five” or in today’s world “fist bump” so here goes…Vince Smith from Cloverdale who has been and continues to be our treasurer, George McCutcheon of North West PLAN Inc who has been our Specification Officer, our Program Chair and currently Secretary and adviser extraordinaire, Blair Bennett, CTR of Soprema who retired this year as Director on the Nation Board after many dedicated years of service. Melodie Schwartzman, CTR of CGC who is our Member at Large, Past Chair, Past Director and has agreed to stay on again this year. Mario Maggio, CDT of C.R. Laurence Canada/U.S. Aluminum who has been our Membership Officer for years and continues to be a part of our group despite a promotion including more responsibilities! Brad Morris, CSP of Morris Specifications Inc is our Website Officer and has mastered the art of NOT rolling his eyes when I either do not understand what he is talking about or I get very enthusiastic over something he has been doing for years…sorry Brad for causing you all the stress…you do such a wonderful job for us, I had to apologize! Todd Gerrard (CTR in waiting) of Enercorp Inc. for his tireless work on our ever growing and ever expanding Trade Fair – Despite have a run taken at us by a much larger trade show group. Thank you Todd for stepping up and agreeing to become Vice-Chair! Eric Poxleitner, Architect of Keystone Architecture and planning Ltd for all of his efforts in providing us with another great year of programs and agreeing to stay on as Co-Chair of programs and mentor our incoming program person. Robert Jahnsen (CTR in Waiting as well) of Div 7 for another great job in Education. Keep it up and you will never be able to leave Robert! Peggy Perry CSP of Boldwing Continuum Architects Inc for joining us mid-year as our Specifications Officer and for agreeing to stay on this year, thank you Peggy. Finally to Glen Stokes, Partner Architect, Bruce Carscadden Architect for his hard work and dedication to our Newsletter. His job has been a bit like herding feral cats and he has done it magnificently. I look forward to sitting on the board as Director for this Chapter at the National level and to working with the returning folk as well as some new faces who join us officially June 1st! Help me welcome Dennis Hodkinson, CCCA of Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. who is taking over the Newsletter responsibilities, Leon Viger, Senior Project Manager of MGBA | Mallen Gowing Berzins Architecture who is to be Co-Chair of programs, Ryan Foster, BC Sales Rep – Roxul Inc our new Marketing Chair and Brian Maher, Technical Sales Representative – Dryvit who is taking over the Trade Fair responsibilities. Without everyone’s time and energy we would not be as successful as we are.

I should not finish without mentioning that the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, the BC Construction Association and the Canadian Construction Association have identified quality of documents as an ongoing priority and are actively examining the role their collective associations can play in addressing this important topic. If you would like to know more about this, please contact Fiona Famulak at president@vrca.bc.ca  to see if there is a role you can play in their ongoing discussions.

Thank you for the opportunity to Chair this amazing organization, I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and encourage you to chat with one of us to see how you might become involved, we always welcome member involvement and a fresh perspective!

Kimberly J. Tompkins, CTR
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Words from the Chair - Specifier: April 2015

Happy Spring Everyone….well at least those living in the west! I recently attended my first official CSC National Board Meeting in Ontario where all of the chapters across the country were represented save for the Quebec City Chapter. I was impressed with the level of professionalism that was exhibited throughout the business portion of the meetings and with the level of camaraderie that was present during the social times throughout the weekend. A very special thank you goes to Darlene Helfrich ( Director from the Edmonton Chapter) for organizing a tribute photo/video in honor of Jim Dunsmore. A trip to the dollar store resulted in some hilarious headwear from satiny bunny ears, shower caps, and hats of all shapes, color and sizes. Everyone was such a good sport and I am sure that Jim was having a great chuckle at our antics!

The health of the organization and the ability of the various chapters to maintain or grow their membership was encouraging to say the least. We often find ourselves very focused locally on our issues, education, finance etc., only to realize we are part of a much bigger picture and that there is a wealth of information that can be accessed by simply reaching out to another chapter or the Association office.

The members forum dinner on Saturday night was a prime example of how we are part of a bigger family. It allowed for much discussion of the various ways that we host functions, deal with education, support membership and handle finances. I heard many a director tell another that they would be happy to share information….just give them a call or send an email and they would put that person in touch with the right person on their executive.

We spent a great deal of time discussion the draft Strategic Plan – 2016 and beyond with a homework assignment of sharing it with our local executive for review and comment. This will happen at our next executive meeting March 24th and provide feedback to the office by the end of the month!

The Winnipeg chapter is excited to be hosting this year’s conference May 27th to the 31st with an extensive technical program along with a great companion program. If you have not had the chance to attend one of our out of town conference I strongly recommend that you consider this one….but be careful, once you attend one it is difficult not to attend the next and the next and the next! Halifax will be hosting 2016 and we are hosting 2017 in Kelowna so mark your calendars for the next three years.

Finally, we are approaching our Chapter General Meeting where some of our executive will be stepping down leaving room for members who are interested to step in and be a part of a great, dynamic and professional team!

Please do not hesitate to send me a note kim@tecagencies.com or give me a call 604-880-4470 if you are interested.

Kimberly Tompkins,
CTR Chapter Chair
CSC – Vancouver Chapter

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Words from the Chair - Specifier: February 2015

Hello everyone, I am donating my column space for the recognition of and tribute to Mr. Jim Dunsmore, a longtime member and supporter of this chapter and association. I am a better person having known him these last 20 years. I am sure that wherever he is, it is a better, brighter place!

Kimberly Tompkins, CTR
Chapter Chair
CSC – Vancouver Chapter

It is with a heavy heart that I write a few words about the loss of my friend and mentor Jim Dunsmore. I know there are many in our industry who have had the good fortune to enjoy Jim’s generous and outspoken nature, his quirky sense of humour and insatiable thirst for fun.

As a relative new comer some 12 years ago, I credit Jim’s patience and encouragement for helping me grow and to better understand the building and construction industry.

As many will attest, Jim was always approachable and never short of an opinion or gentle piece of advice.

Giving back to our industry and helping to develop “fresh blood” was either consciously or subconsciously in Jim’s DNA.

Over the years, Jim and Christy have grown to be more than just industry colleagues but rather close family friends with both getting to know my wife and girls and as well as some of my extended family. We have numerous memories shared over the years but one in particular stands out to me. One summer early in our budding relationship, Jim was enlisted by my wife Tammy to distract me with a round of golf while she organized a surprise birthday party. Now I must admit that Jim and I both have always had erratic golf games that ebb and flow from promising to horrendous from hole to hole and sometimes even shot to shot! During this particular round, Jim’s game was trending down somewhat more than usual with no bounce-back in sight. It wasn’t until the 16th when he took out his lob wedge to take care of a 6 foot putt that we knew it was time for some Sunny D!

As we think back about Jim and what he has meant to us let us embrace and pay forward those qualities Jim exuded: courage in the face of life’s challenges, giving back, getting involved, welcoming and encouraging others, appreciating what and who you have in your life and of course, always having fun.

I know that many of us have reached out to Christy and will continue to make sure she understands the legacy and impact Jim has had on all of our lives.

—Les Yard

Jim was my mentor, a friend and peer. When I was learning to be a specification writer and especially when I became an independent spec writer and needed assistance, I was never afraid to give Jim a call, because he was always willing to help anyway he could. Jim had a quirky sense of humour and always kept everyone entertained. We will surely miss him, my warmest condolences to Christi.

—Ted Wetmore

One of the most entertaining golf rounds in of my life was with Jim Dunsmore and Jim Findlay at one of my first CSC Golf Tournaments. I can’t remember the year but this dynamic dual had our foursome in stitches from start to finish. We even managed a very respectable score even after contributing generously to the most balls lost category. I was so pleased to spend some time with Jim and Christie at last years CST Golf Tournament event. We had fun reminiscing over all the good times and once again we where both laughing and smiling ear to ear. Jim loved to golf and even more to make people laugh with his tenacious sense of humour. Jim was just fun to be around. What a great professional and all round wonderful guy to work with as well. Today my thoughts are
with you both, Jim and Christy.

—Dean Connie

Jim Dunsmore, What can I say, words seem so insufficient...

He was a very passionate man, passionate about his work, and his love of life. Whenever I spoke to him of matters Specifications – the grouch would show, and his concerns about how poor were the relationships between the Specifier and those Architects/Designers. He was convinced that they thought Specifiers were mind readers. I did not have the honour of having him on one of my projects, but got to know him best through both CSC and some social ventures.

Ah! Social ventures…those were fun, and times when Jim and his ever supportive and beautiful partner Christie would truly shine. Bev and I were enticed to join a dance studio by our daughter, ostensibly so the old goat would be able to do the Father Daughter dance at her wedding. We had a ball! As in loads of fun. A couple of times during the time we were dancing, we had “dress up or costume” dances. Jim and Christie would be there in full costume complete with wigs etc...Jim often in drag, and except for the 5 o’clock shadow was very striking.

The last time I saw Jim was one evening in November. I went to visit my Mother-in-law at Royal Columbian, and took a side trip to see if Jim was in for his regular dialysis and he was. I learned of his pending Kidney Transplant, and between Christie, Jim and I we reminisced about the costume dances. Knowing that the donor was a woman dance studio friend, we speculated about the transference of the likes and dislikes that might occur. This particular friend was fond of leopard skin prints and we wondered if Jim might also become so inclined.

We will miss Jim, and all that he brought to our lives.

—David McGuigan

I had the opportunity to work with Jim indirectly through our Vancouver office on a number of projects back in the early and mid nineties. I also had the pleasure of many a good conversation at CSC Board of Directors meetings with Jim (the CSC Vancouver Chapter representative from the other side of the rock pile as he described himself), and meeting with him at Vancouver Chapter breakfast meetings over the years, when I was asked to participate as guest speaker on various subjects.

Very sorry to hear of his passing.

—Peter Semchuk

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Words from the Chair - Specifier: January 2015

The CSC Board would like to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Kimberly Tompkins, CTR
Chapter Chair
CSC – Vancouver Chapter

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Words from the Chair - Specifier: November 2014

We are in the final days of November and I am still wondering where the time went…but I don’t believe I am the only one feeling this way! I am sure the students in our PCD course who are in their final review before the exam are scratching their heads wondering where it went!!! They are probably also wondering if they have studied enough for the exam! I wish them much success in this endeavor and wish to thank Glenn Chatten for doing an outstanding job in teaching this course!

Time waits for no man (or woman) or so they say, AND you can’t manage time, only your productivity within the allotted time you have‍…so what are you doing to make yourself more effective and productive? This not only relates to ourselves personally but also to our professional time and volunteer time! How do we manage so that we have balance in where and how we spend our time?

This leads me to the next topic;

Our association just held our 4th annual Simply but Revealing Trade Fair at the Vancouver Trade and Exhibition Centre where our manufacturers showed up again in great numbers. Although the cost to exhibit is low and the time involvement is short compared to other events, they are finding themselves questioning the involvement in this event due to lack of turn out. As manufacturers we expect to participate in Association Events to show our support, to network with customers and showcase new and exciting products. In order to justify our time and expenses to our bosses (yes we all have those) we need to show a return on our investment or else there may be reluctance in approving next years’ participation budget. Quite the conundrum for sure!

I felt we had 3 great speakers with AIBC Core LU’s attached and an easily accessible venue within walking distance of many firms as well as on transit for those further away, yet we had a decline in attendance compared to the previous year. Going back to how we spend our time, it is very discouraging for volunteers to put their time and effort into organizing this event and then have a poor showing. I would certainly appreciate some feedback from the design community as to how we can better serve you or how we can make the event more attractive. Or, if this type of event has run its course? Please take the time to reply to me at kim@tecagencies.com with your thoughts or comments, we truly do value your input and appreciate you taking the time.

Kimberly Tompkins, CTR
Chapter Chair, CSC – Vancouver Chapter

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Words from the Chair - Specifier: October 2014

As I sit in my office putting thoughts to paper musing at the fact that summer is behind us, I look out the window to sun and 22 C for the temperature… I want to immediately go outside and soak up some Vitamin D and regenerate. But, responsibility keeps me firmly at my desk. There is no doubt we have enjoyed the best summer to date weather wise. Our fellow chapters across the country may not say the same. I am thankful every day for the opportunity to live and work in this great city.

We (The Vancouver Chapter of CSC) are well underway with our fall schedule of events. The golf tournament is behind us with close to 90 Golfers toughing it out on the only rainy day of the summer! Regardless of the weather, a great time was had by all thanks to the hard work of James Kelly, CTR who continues to Chair the Golf Tournament each year / Vince Smith, Treasurer and registrar extraordinaire / Blair Bennett CTR who did his a great job as MC / Severin Wolf – for keeping me company on the Betting hole and Dayl Hopper for working the registration table and selling mulligans. We managed to raise $1080.00 from the Mulligan Sales, betting hole and 50/50 sales to go to our ever growing BCIT Bursary fund thanks to our ever generous attendees who continue to support this great event! The date has been set for September the 10th next year at Meadow Gardens again so mark your calendars!

The Principals of Construction Documentation (PCD) Course is well underway at the VRCA with Glen Chatten instructing and Robert Jahnsen as our Education Chair. We are already planning for the TR course as well as the CCCA Course for January of 2015 so please let Robert know if you are interested.

Our lunch series is posted on the web as well as we are well underway accepting registrations for our Construction Fair November 19 at the Vancouver Convention Centre – East Ballrooms at Canada Place. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to show a very focused audience what is new and exciting in your product line this year. Our speaker line up is very strong again this year – have a look online at our website where the information is centrally located on the front page. Todd Gerrard is our Chair again this year and is looking forward to another great event this year.

On a non CSC related topic, I had the pleasure of spending 18 days in Italy attending the World Club Crew Dragon boat Championships in Ravenna as well as traipsing around northern Italy visiting dear friends. I found myself adjusting rather quickly to the “Italian” way of life… Taking time between noon and 3:00-3:30 to have the main meal and a nap before going back to work till about 7:30 – 8:00 pm. It all seemed rather civilized over there but when I tried to implement the same strategy here…I have met nothing but resistance…are we too focused on work or am I not focused enough…something to think about for sure!

Please take the time to attend our lunch events and the trade fair, say hello and thank a board member for the continued hard work they do. We are a completely volunteer board always looking for new participants at either the board level or committee level so consider joining this most amazing team of very dedicated individuals.

Kimberly Tompkins, CTR
Chapter Chair
CSC–Vancouver Chapter

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Specifier: May 2014

Words from the Chair

By Kimberly J. Tompkins, CTR

Spring has officially arrived, we are smiling quietly to ourselves that we did not have the April that our counterparts had east of us … really, how much snow can Alberta and Ontario really have before enough is enough? Another Chapter year is behind us, the board worked very hard to bring us an educational technical program and they succeeded, no questions!

We are working just as hard this coming year to bring our membership current, relevant and interesting speakers. We are always interested in hearing from you should you have any suggestions on speakers or topics. Please do not hesitate to reach out and let us know. I had the great pleasure of attending the Atlantic Chapter Breakfast meeting while in Halifax on Business. It is just one of the great things I appreciate about CSC, the networking, the ability to connect with my peers across Canada and the fact that if you are feeling just slightly homesick….odds are there is a meeting to attend. Thanks to my Atlantic family for making me feel right at home!

Continued...

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