The South Florida Chapter Newsletter, 2024 Recap 
Chapter Events
September 2024: Sustainable & Wellness CEU
The South Florida Chapter started the 2024 - 2025 Calendar strong with an informative presentation on paint trends within the commercial sector. Throughout the evening, industry specialist taught attendees all about paint and its influence on our society, sustainable practices and user wellness. Best part was that the event was an accredited Continuing Education Provider Course! 📚
November 2024: Insurance Tales Roundtable Discussion
Do you know everything about insurance? Well, if you attended South Florida Chapter's Roundtable Discussion - our chapter is confident you picked up some tip-and-tricks to navigating the complexities of insurance. Attendees learned about professional liability, health, home AND general claims from accredited insurance agents. 🏗️
December 2024: Annual Holiday Party
Cheers to another successful CSI Holiday Party! Guests celebrated the holiday season together at Glass & Vine - a beautiful venue filled with fun, laughter, and holiday cheer. Live music, drinks and delicious food kept the party going into the night! We can't wait for next year celebration! 🥂
January 2025: Paint Factory Tour in Orlando
The South Florida Chapter traveled to Orlando for an afternoon of two CEU sessions, an exclusive tour of the factory AND happy hour hangout at a local bar! Attendees learned about paint fabrication, color selection AND building envelope waterproofing from industry specialists. Attendees also got to opportunity to visit the laboratories, offices and warehouse that has produced millions of gallons of paint! 🏭
Welcome New Members
With 8 new members since July 2024, our chapter continues to grow larger, stronger and more diverse every year! Our chapter is excited to welcome:
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Chelsea Abella
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Gail M. Mootz
- Jose Gabriel Amador
- Luis Velazquez
- Nafisa Seeram
- Seema Sethi
- Thomas Mole
- Valerie A. Toro Ortega
Reminder to check on your membership status. About to expire? Renew your CSI membership today!
Scholarship
Congratulations to Brandon Linares, the recipient of our 2024 CSI South Florida Chapter Design Buildability Scholarship. 🥳
For the 2024 Design Buildability Scholarship, participants were tasked with drafting a detailed exterior wall section of their choice + provide accompanying specifications. The goal was for participants to show their understanding of the construction techniques, integrated systems and aesthetics that make-up a facade. The scholarship was open to all students across South Florida. In our commitment to mentorship, the CSI South Florida is proud to award the scholarship (and its prize money) to current students...our future specification writers. 👷♂️
Community Service
CSI South Florida Chapter is honored to continue its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, benefitting Kristi House, The Children's Advocacy Center.
Who is Kristi House?
Founded in 1995 as a private, not-for-profit organization, Kristi House is dedicated to treating and preventing child sexual abuse, trafficking and other childhood trauma. Kristi House provides various services, including child-victims’ legal, medical, and social service needs - centered around integrated solutions for victims navigating the complexities of the healing process.
CSI South Florida Chapter Contributions:
Every year, our chapter participates in their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive - donating non-perishable food, toiletries and childcare items just in time for the holiday season. The Thanksgiving Food Drive is essential in stocking Kristi House's community Food Pantry. All contributions from our chapter were donated by CSI members across South Florida. Our chapter's donation helped to provide meals for the 2,000 children that depend on Kristi House's Food Pantry during the holidays, and all-year long.
Sponsors
Chapter Event Sponsors:
- Sustainability & Wellness CEU: Special thanks to Sherwin Williams for hosting; and Mariel Basurco for leading a very engaging presentation. 🪴
- Insurance Tales Roundtable Discussion: Special thanks to JC White for hosting; and to our panelists Elaine Bonge, Jason Boonzaier, Erin Collinsworth and Micheal Marsengill. Another thanks to our moderator Lourdes Solera 💰
- Annual Holiday Party: ELA, MC Harry & Associates, Kuraray, Interface, Shaw, Sherwin Williams, Florida Paints and Meteor Education. Thank you to all the companies for their contributions. 🎁
- Paint Factory Tour: Special thanks to Florida Paints for hosting; and to both Daniel Demaio and Ben Safren for leading the CEU discussions. Thank you to our transportation sponsor Lemartec - for providing transportation for South Florida CSI members to Orlando via BrightLine. 👨🏫
President's Report
I am both humbled and honored to serve as the incoming President of the South Florida Chapter for 2024-2025. Since joining CSI in 2018, I have greatly benefited from the opportunities this organization has offered. CSI has significantly contributed to my growth as a proficient and capable professional within the architecture and design field.
As President, my primary goal is to reinforce the core values of CSI by providing a robust and accessible platform for our members to learn, grow, and excel in their respective fields. Our board is dedicated to the following focus areas:
- Promoting and spreading CSI's recognition as a leading resource within the construction industry.
- Bringing together all players within the built environment and construction industry which includes AEC professionals and related organizations.
- Providing a pool of reliable and current construction information and specifications professionals.
- Encouraging members to seek and attain CSI credentials, thereby advocating for the gold standard of competence.
Our chapter's greatest asset is our members. Without your active involvement, our chapter would merely be a shell without a soul. Our board's focus will be on you, our valued members. We are committed to offering the resources, tools, and networking opportunities needed to help you thrive.
As we embark on this year together, let us strive for greater involvement and purpose in all that we do. With each step, let's create ripples that extend far beyond our immediate reach - making a meaningful impact within our chapter and beyond.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication.