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Volunteer Week Spotlight on Cory Robbins

By Peter Kray posted 04-20-2022 04:54 PM

  

Happy National Volunteer Week! To celebrate the occasion, CSI would like to give a resounding round of applause to all our current and past volunteers. All week, we are putting the spotlight on CSI members who go the extra mile for their colleagues and the built community at large.

Today’s spotlight is on Cory Robbins, BA, CSI, and president of CSI Philadelphia, who describes volunteerism as a shortcut to networking and building your brand.

How did you first decide to volunteer, and what is your area of expertise?    

In my company, I was tasked with outreach to specification writers and changing the way exterior enclosure specifications were written. I was not sure where to start, then swiftly found the Philadelphia Chapter and attended a meeting.

The first meeting was actually dull, and I think that is what got me more involved. I kept thinking, I can really turn these meetings into engaging and fun networking events with my background in elementary education. Plus, when I walked in, I was around 30, and a lot of the folks on the board had already put in their work and time. If I was going to join, it was my turn to take over and put in the heavy lifting. I was voted vice president in the next election, and I haven’t looked back since.

Why is the work you do as a volunteer important to you?

I believe in networking and creating a huge electronic rolodex to fill the voids in my knowledge. I came into this industry from education and was not as knowledgeable as everyone I came across. I needed a huge group of intelligent people for when I get stumped. I pride myself on being able to put you in contact with the expert on a specific subject. I might not be the expert, but I probably know one. Volunteering for the organization was simply the way to get there.    

What impact have other volunteers had on your career?    

Brian Conroy of Masterwall was chapter president when I was vice president, and we did wonders with the chapter together. He was a great influence on me to put in the work to have solid events. David Stutzman was extremely important as well to my growth. Brian and I used to worry that we would not get enough attendees to the events we were offering. In fact, we threw a Philadelphia EXPO, and we called it the BAZZAR, and it flopped miserably. David Stutzman took us aside and made us see the light by stating, “If you put on good events—things you think you would go to—people will come. Focus on creating good events, worry about the attendance afterwards.”

How might other AECO professionals volunteer in their community, and why might you encourage them to do so?    

Networking. The only way to build your brand/identity in this industry is through your deeds and projects you have been involved with and networking with the right people. Connecting with intelligent people who are veterans of the industry is essential to success. At least that is my belief.

Favorite book?

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

Hobbies? 

Basketball, golf, music, and video games.

You’re invited to learn how to become a CSI Volunteer or opt in to the CSI Volunteer Pool to easily apply for opportunities that are a match for your interests and availability.

https://www.csiresources.org/communities/volunteer

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