EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE Communication may be the single most important element in every thread of our life. Think about it! Personal relationships do not work without communicating your thoughts, feelings, likes and dislikes with the other person, be it a spouse, relative or friend. Working as a team in the workplace is not possible without clear communi- cation with your co-workers, so that each piece of the puzzle falls into place for a successful project. Fruitful business deals cannot be realized unless each party communicates their needs, expectations and what part they are willing to play in the partnership, verbally or in a contract. Communication makes the world go round, while “a failure to communicate” can be detrimental to all these important facets of our lives. Last week, DFI’s leadership — board members, senior staff and committee chairs — met for the annual winter planning meeting to do just that — communicate. Each attendee informed the others of what projects have been completed, what is in process and their ideas for the future. DFI’s new 5-year strategic plan, Revitalizing our Mission, was the main topic of discussion with four breakout sessions covering each main goal of the plan (see page 21 for details). It’s All About Communication With Past President Jim Morrison, I led the globalization workshop, where we determined that communication across the various DFI regions is key. In order for DFI headquarters to support the regional chapters, there needs to be consistent communication to ensure that resources are allocated as needed and activities to benefit the local industry are advanced. DFI and DFI of India have accomplished this with a weekly confer- ence call to keep on track with their plans for training courses, workshops and conferences. These events communicate advances and new methodology being used elsewhere that the Indian deep foundation community can use in their projects. Bringing the regional leaders together at the planning meeting also gave them the opportunity to explore ways they can work together and communicate with each other in order to serve all DFI members, wherever they are. Theresa Rappaport Executive Director [email protected] We are lucky that communi- Having a global organization provides a forum where all members, no matter where they are, can communicate with each other. cation far and wide is more easily done with virtual meet- ings, audio and video conference calls, email, web platforms for docu- ment sharing and social media. Having a global organization provides a forum where all members, no matter where they are, can communicate with each other. This ability is a benefit to each member and to the industry. Be part of the process and partici- pate as much as your schedule allows. The true value of being a DFI member lies in the ability to commun- icate and network with others who have similar interests, challenges and needs. Invitation to Speakers DFI’s Deep Foundations for Landslides/Slope Stabilization and Tiebacks and Soil Nailing Committees are organizing a two-day event featuring presentations on current technologies, as well as key design concepts and case histories that illustrate effective application of deep foundations for stabilization of slopes and excavation support. Presentation proposals on the following topics are being Deep Foundations for Slope Stabilization and Excavation Support: TBD August/September 2014, Pittsburgh, PA Interested parties should submit a brief summary (no more requested: Case Studies, History/Theoretical Background, Quality Control and Inspection, Long-term Maintenance, Innovative Applications and Techniques and Practice-Oriented Research. than one page) describing the subject matter of their proposed presentation to [email protected]. The due date for submissions is May 1, 2014. Notification of acceptance and guidelines for presentation development will be returned to all submitters by June 2, 2014. Authors of accepted proposals will be required to commit to presenting their topic at the seminar and to submit a PowerPoint presentation handout to be included in the seminar publication by July 1, 2014. DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAR/APR 2014 • 9
