Wanted creative writers willing to share their expertise.
Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP), PMP, CSM
Mary Ryan started volunteering in 2013 as a financial liason on the finance team while studing for her PMP. Mary then served as an Associate Vice President and was appointed and later elected to the VP of Finance Role. Her journey continued and served as a VP of Professional Development and later as the Vice President of Virtual Locations which ended at the close of 2020. Mary is currently serving this year as an episodic volunteer. The director at large role is a non voting board position that can act as a mentor, guide and leader of special projects. This role is often used by past board leaders who want to continue giving back but allows the flexibility of scaling back volunteer hours or increasing hours to complete a project.
When I asked her what made her a successful volunteer, it was her skills obtained from running a business which provided the breadth of knowledge to make the projects successful. Mary stated that she is “most proud of her work done as VP of Finance to which helped to stabilize the chapter by using good business acumen and running the chapter as a business.”
I received so many personal benefits by being involved in the chapter and there are so many positive things that come out of your giving back. Mary expressed, “you get back exponentially when you give your time. We have come so far in the last ten years for the next generation of the chapter. You are able to connect with people on a different level. It’s different types of engagement, professional, friend, teammate, leader and peer.” Volunteers set goals together, support each other and by achieving goals together, you demonstrate caring for others and watching your peers grow in confidence. As a volunteer you practice servant leadership.
When I asked Mary what she is looking forward to it was the face to face in the future and continued engagement. It is fun to make the connections and friends over the years. It comes from giving back and caring for each other.
Successful project management requires collaborative leadership skills, clear communication, and courage to embrace constant change. I grew these skills in volunteering and helped the chapter evolve to support the next generation leader.
The world and the chapter are changing for the better. Life is a project, make the most of it.
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:
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
Everyone’s path to project management is a different journey, each path is unique and correct for them. Whether you stumble into project management, specifically plan your career, or just morph into a professional as a lifelong leaner.
I would like to introduce you to Earl Matthews, a new chapter member and CAPM certificate holder and talk about his CAPM journey.
Joining the AZ Department of Revenue, two-plus years ago made him introspective about his career goals. His skills journey began in the trades then moved into retail loss prevention without formal training or education. What he discovered is that you can apply learning and skills are transportable across industries. So, Earl Mathews explored his new industry, shadowed other project managers, earned his 6 Sigma Black Belt while working in the program office. Earl states that “it quickly became my passion and where he sees himself in his five-year growth plan with the state.” His passion was built by working with teams and people in the lean management system.
Earl Matthews project management path, started with an eLearning module on the PMI.org website to explore Project Management Basics. Earl completed his CAPM educational requirements pre COVID-19. He discovered Ken Roundtree, by attending a session at work, but needed a new path to certify when PMI Global canceled in-person exams last March.
A few months passed, delaying his CAPM certification, but COVID-19 may have poked a hole in his balloon, making him glide but he quickly found a new way for his balloon to soar and regain air. Earl Mathews joined the chapter and the fall 2020 PMP/CAPM study group. He passed within one week of the November study group completion.
His project study plan came together after 12 weeks of intense study, committing 4 to 5 nights a week to both weekly sessions and a study buddy and memorizing the ITTOs (processes, inputs, tools and techniques and outputs). Earl Matthews best advice is to not limit yourself to one type of learning source, so you can be well rounded. All learning sources help fill in the gaps so it will make sense.
What you might not realize is the CAPM certification exam is technical where the PMP certification exam is situational. Earl Matthews said, “the study group was the glue that brought it all together, how it was presented and the presenter. The attendees and dialog participation, with the multiple views of other PMPs situational experience brought it together.”
I could hear Ken Roundtree in my head during the exam, where no textbook would stick. I was the pig and committed to gaining the CAPM certification with only a high school diploma at the start of my journey. So, in the words of Earl Mathews, “your life and goals are just another project” so why not get started and find your critical path to success.
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.
