I would like to personally encourage all current and new members to get actively involved in PMI. You really can’t realize all the benefits of membership until you do. I attained my PMP certification and had it for several years before becoming a member of PMI. After becoming a member I did not get involved in local or Global events and activities for some years. I guess I, like many of us today, felt like I was trying to fit too many things into an already too busy life. However, it wasn’t until I finally started attending meetings, took advantage of some of the opportunities to earn PDUs that the chapter sponsors, and started volunteering to help with chapter projects, (my first was teaching a PMP class) that I really started to benefit from my membership.
You can look up some of the typical benefits under Membership on this web site, but there are many intangible benefits that you won’t find listed there. These include the camaraderie of working with others for a common cause. As I work together with other volunteers for a cause larger than ourselves, including working on projects that provide benefits for our members, I personally find that I probably benefit more than they do. I have also networked and made some great friends from all over the world. Again, I encourage you to get involved, even if it is just taking advantage of some of the activities that are sponsored by the Chapter.
We on your board would like to continue to grow and increase benefits for the membership. This can be done with the help of more volunteers working together. The board is a small group (also volunteers) and with more help, well as they say, many hands make light work. If you are interested in getting more involved, just talk to one of the board members. Some of the activities below and others not listed will provide more opportunities for volunteers.
During the 2009-2010 year we want to continue to provide benefit to our members. We plan to and have already sponsored a number of events to help PMPs earn PDUs. In the fall we along with some other professional organizations put on an excellent Professional Development Day, which offered a variety of seminars and provided the opportunity to earn up to 8 PDUs for under $150.00. That is a bargain anywhere you want to look for something comparable. This workshop was also of a quality as good or better than found at some of the national seminars. Mike Nelson, our Past President and Terrie Rowley did an excellent job as the co-chairs and with the help of several other volunteers. Rick Staten, our Vice President of Professional Development, also organized and managed a PMP Preparation Class last fall. Every month, Julie Foster, our Vice President of Programs, organizes a monthly Chapter meeting that either includes a program of interest or a tutorial that earns attendees a PDU. Some of these tutorials are presented by members, who earn PDUs for the presentation. There are several other events also planned during the spring including:
A spring PMP Preparation Class starting March 3, 2010.
We are again, going to start putting out a monthly newsletter to help with communications and to keep members informed on events and activities. We feel this is something that would help everyone and hope that you do also.
Of course there are also PMI Global events that I would personally encourage you to attend if there is anyway possible. PMI Global Conference is an opportunity to earn most of your required PDUs while enjoying the company and having networking opportunities with up to 1500 project people who speak a language you know. These are great conferences usually in some great places.
So come get involved with us this year. We have many opportunities just waiting for you including some within the chapter and some working in the community.
Thank you – Dennis Harrell, PMP, President
Eastern
Idaho Chapter of PMI
Contact me at: Dennis.Harrell @eastidahopmi.org