Many non-profit service clubs focus on the community and those living within. BICSI, as a non-profit association, focuses on the information transport systems (ITS) industry. It is through BICSI’s community of members around the world that technical information is shared; this, in turn, improves the community and its members.

BICSI serves more than 23,000 ITS professionals around the world. It was formed back in the 1970s when managers—primarily from within North America’s regulated telco engineering departments—saw the need for a manufacturer-independent and vendor-neutral way of sharing evolving technical information about ITS codes, standards and best practices. Today, most of BICSI’s technical efforts around the world are completed by volunteers (even the board of directors consists entirely of elected volunteers).

As BICSI’s Canadian Region Director—a volunteer position—I find it beneficial to share what I’ve learned through articles such as this one. The technical and non-technical information I exchange with others—often other BICSI volunteers—aids in our efforts to improve careers in the ITS industry. I firmly believe that an organization’s success depends on volunteers working with other volunteers in the community. Sharing ITS information is mutually beneficial to professionals and the industry, and that is what BICSI is all about.

Of course, my sharing of technical information is not limited to BICSI members or readers of the articles I write.

Many Canadian BICSI members tell me how hard it is to find knowledgeable young people interested in working as ITS technicians—being deployed within buildings to work on fiber, copper and wireless systems. Because of this, I have been looking for contacts at technical schools for the past year-and-a-half; people whose schools may serve as venues for future Canadian Region Meetings, where we can share technical knowledge with both those training future employees and the students who will become tomorrow’s ITS professionals.

Region Meetings are one-day events that allow members to receive technical information updates. Information is delivered by subject matter experts, whose knowledge cannot be found in textbooks.

The meetings are traditionally conducted at places with enough meeting space, as well as food and beverage, such as hotels. Knowing technical schools meet those criteria, I saw an opportunity to ask some of the schools if they would be interested in having a Region Meeting at their campus. These events are open to anyone working or interested in ITS-related subjects.

Students and faculty can visit with exhibitors promoting products and services. There is also time to interact with members about employment opportunities, as many of them are the same people seeking ITS professionals. These members can also share information with faculty about the kinds of skills they’re looking for.

During the last year or so I have held Region Meetings at New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) in Moncton, Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) in Halifax, Algonquin College in Ottawa, and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Each one has invited us back for future BICSI meetings. One of the colleges has even asked me to confirm that BICSI will conduct an annual Region Meeting at its facility with the intention of making it a compulsory component of the curriculum for students enrolled in selected IT classes.

In the effort to share information with as many colleges as I can, I urge BICSI members to contact faculty in new locations. Based on the feedback I get from technical schools, it’s clear there are many benefits to both faculty and students when they hear from a subject matter expert on a variety of ITS subjects.

Additionally, BICSI offers a bursary—the BICSI Next Generation Scholarship—to a deserving ITS student, chosen by faculty, in lieu of costs for the use of classroom space.

Please join me in my mission of advancing the industry and educating future information transport systems professionals. Visit www.bicsi.org, Events, for upcoming Canadian Region Meetings, or contact me directly if you have any questions.

Richard S. Smith—the manager of Bell Aliant Cabling Solutions—is the Canadian Region Director for BICSI. The next Canadian Region Meeting will be held during the NETcomm Maritimes 2008  Conference, September 3 and 4, at the Delta Halifax in Nova Scotia. Visit BICSI online at www.bicsi.org.