It’s a new year, but we still are facing a unique set of challenges. I am still optimistic that change will come, and things will improve this year. The Chapter has planned on a return to in-person meetings late in the third quarter. 

We are still optimistic that this is achievable, but we will weigh the benefits vs. risks before doing so.

The return to in-person meetings means our volunteer needs will increase. During COVID, the Chapter has managed to provide virtual programs with a skeleton crew. Still, as we continue to add additional offerings and return in person, we will need volunteers from the membership to execute them.

Being a volunteer means that you are offering something – something that is not required nor an obligation. Most of the time, to volunteer, means that you are working side by side with others. 

This connects you to other human beings as you are working toward a common goal. When you volunteer, you are making connections.

Our volunteers are busy people. They have jobs, families, and obligations to tend to. They all are volunteering on their own time. If you choose to volunteer, do not overextend yourself to the extent that you will let someone down or not fulfill expectations. Do something that matters. You are choosing to use the time to work for something. Be sure to give it your best shot!

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Personal development of leadership and other soft skills in a non-threatening environment
• Peer recognition through interaction and publicity of Chapter activities
• Development of a peer network within the inner circle of volunteers
• Participation in special leadership meetings with Chapter officers
• Potential for succession to Chapter leadership positions
• The satisfaction of contributing to the Chapter’s success and celebrating it at special volunteer-only events
• Credit (PDUs) toward certification renewal

If you’re interested in volunteering, then click on the link below to learn more about volunteering with the Chapter.

https://pmiphx.org/volunteer-opportunities

The 2021 budget is ready for approval by the Board - in record time this year.  Compiling a budget for the PMI Phoenix chapter is a complex process because it requires the Board to look into the future and come up with specific plans for providing members of the chapter with the services and support, they are looking for.  As you might guess, there are a lot of moving parts to the process and all the VPs must be in alignment on our strategy.  That alignment is reflected in the specifics of our proposed budget the 2021.  Normally the process takes us into January to complete.  But this year we are considerably ahead of schedule thanks to the leadership and skill of the Finance liaisons to the VPs on the Board.  Specifically, they are, Andy Aiyer and Mohit Goel.  Dave Casebere shared that “they have done a great job”.and the board executives (the stakeholders) echo that this project was successful.

Letter from the President

It’s December and the Holiday Season is upon us. Many started early with decorating and putting up trees to get into the spirit of the season.

The Board of Directors and I would like to take a moment to wish you all the best through this holiday season and to give special thanks to all our volunteers that helped us maintain the course through a difficult 2020.

This year was challenging in many ways.  Many of us had to adapt to working in new ways.  Whether you were new to working remotely or had to adapt to everyone else working remotely.  New skills were learned and shared.

I hope you had the chance to join one of the many webinars the chapter offered this year.  The chapter was able to quickly pivot to virtual events and by December 31st, 2020 will have offered 131 events this year.  I am proud of the volunteers in the chapter that made this possible.

We are going to continue the trend into the new year.  The board met in October to begin our strategic planning for 2021.  Below are some of our objectives for 2021:

• Creation of a student chapter
• Establish a Communities of Practice
• Establish a Formal Mentorship Program
• Organize 2 Community Charity Events

This will be the 42nd year for the chapter and we will continue to bring you relevant training and events to enhance your Project Management and Career skills as well.  All of our initiatives for 2021 are derived from the feedback from you, our members.  Please continue to provide that feedback.  I would like to like to thank the board and all our volunteers for their hard work this year.

Shane Cretacci, PMP

President

PMI Phoenix Chapter

Members,

The PMI Phoenix Chapter Board has started planning for next year.  To that end, we are soliciting your feedback in the annual all-member survey.  We will run this survey until November 15th to solicit your feedback on the chapter and use that to assist us in planning for next year.  You can take the survey here.

The board will be in attendance at the virtual Chapter All Member Meeting on November 18.  We will review the progress on our goals for this year and review our plan for next year.  I hope you will be able to attend.  We have an excellent presentation scheduled for that evening from our Guest Speak J. Scott, the CEO of 120VC, and his presentation on “Servant Leadership that Get’s Sh*t Done”.  Please register here to attend.

November is Project Management Month!  We have a full calendar this month.  I hope you can join us for one of the many events we have planned. 

• We have partnered with Agile Arizona this year and members will receive a discount on registration. Login to the website and check out our discounts page here.
• International Project Management Day is November 5th and IIL has a full day event planned that is also available on demand.  You can register for it here.
• We have partnered with IIBA for an event on 11/10 for “Effective Visual Presentation Skills” by Tom Otstot.
• Our Wednesday Webinar series will continue on 11/11 with Drew Middelton and Kornelia Homewood from Kolme Group and their presentation “Project Managers need to be Change Managers”.
• Our Breakfast Meeting is on Nov 20th due to the holiday. Our guest speaker is Balinda Strosnider and her topic is “How Train Difficult Stakeholders Like You Would Train a Bird of prey”.

I hope everyone is able to take time and spend it with family going into the holiday season.  This has been a difficult year and I know for some it has been extremely difficult.  The chapter is giving back to the community with our food drive for St. Mary’s Food Bank.  If you can please contribute.