Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1255991
July/August/September 2020 I 5 From the President, Todd W. Taylor, RCDD, OSP, NTS BE SAFE, BE STRONG, BE STRATEGIC It is truly an interesting time in which we are living and working. As many in the world, I am working from home while writing this message, and three thoughts keep ringing in my mind. Be Safe, Be Strong, and Be Strategic in the ways we navigate through what some people in government are calling our "new normal." Hopefully as you are reading this, most of us are coming out of the COVID-19-related restrictions and finding our way back to the new normal. I believe it will take some time to settle into this, since the past events of the pandemic have impacted every person and industry in various ways. I think there are measures that we can work on with BICSI to make the transition smoother. To be Safe speaks for itself. For the past months, we have been inundated with a multitude of safety processes handed down by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state and government health organiza- tions, so I will not reiterate them. I will say that we do have to continue to look out for ourselves, our co-workers, and our families both personally and at BICSI. A lot of our members fit into the essential business category of construction, design or supplier and must maintain all the regulations provided for a safe work environment. Although we see them go to work as if nothing has changed, they are nonetheless impacted. When I say to be Strong, it can refer to many things but two come to mind: physical and technical strength. Those that know me, know that I love to run. Well maybe just a jog these days, but that exercise is still my way of staying physically and mentally healthy. It is important that we maintain a healthy level for both, as we continue to care for our families and sup- port our industry. Another way to stay strong would be to utilize time to hone those technical skills or add a new credential to our tool- boxes. One thing that this worldwide event has shown us is that the ICT industry is more important than ever. I believe that the increased bandwidth needs for those working at home to the flexibility needed for healthcare facilities will drive an increase in the design and implementation services our members provide. Furthermore, be Strategic during these times of uncertainty and prepare for the future. I have been in the workforce long enough to see that most major events or crises spur an increased need for an educated and experienced work- force. Therefore, BICSI took steps to help our members maintain their knowledge of the ICT industry, as well as gain valuable CEC's toward their credentials. Due to the required social distancing and regulations for the number of people in a gathering, BICSI provided several virtual learning opportunities. The classroom offerings were modified to a virtual environment. A list of available courses included: • BG102: Best Practices for Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding • DC102: Applied Data Center Design and Best Practices • DD102: Designing Telecommunications Distribution Systems • IN101: BICSI Installer 1 Training • IN225: BICSI Installer 2, Copper Training • OSP102: Applied Outside Plant Design • PM102: Applied Telecommunications Project Management BICSI provided a number of BICSI Connect online courses for free. Moreover, BICSI also offered a 30 percent discount on other BISCI Connect courses. Looking ahead, these courses continue to cover a wide variety of ICT topics including DAS, data centers, intelligent buildings, healthcare and current ICT copper and fiber infrastructure trends. For the BICSI 2020 Fall Conference & Exhibition, as well as other major or regional events, BICSI plans to provide an option suitable for what the new normal may bring. This means looking at virtual conferences and events where you can get as close to the same great in-person experience from the safety of your home or workplace. For those who have experienced the loss of family members, friends or other loved ones, the BICSI staff and I extend our deepest condolences—as the "new normal" for them is most difficult and indefinable. Lastly, but absolutely not least, we want to express a huge Thank You to the first responders, healthcare providers, and the many other heroes working on the front lines—including installers, technicians and others that have kept emergency services and essential industries of all kinds up and running.