Wow! Can you believe it is 2010 already?  The PMI Atlanta Chapter had a wonderful year in 2009, and we are looking forward to an exciting year in 2010.  It is an honor and privilege to serve as your president in 2010, and I look forward to working with the board to ensure that the chapter brings value to all our members. 

In my ten years as a member of the PMI Atlanta Chapter, I have seen so much growth and progress that it is daunting to think that I might have something else to contribute.  My main goals for 2010 are to continue with the progress we are making in ensuring that the PMI Atlanta Chapter is operated efficiently and effectively, increase member participation in our events, and widen our audience to include more of the Atlanta business community.

My theme for 2010 is Widely Known & Widely Respected, and with the board’s help, the PMI Atlanta Chapter will gain greater exposure within the Atlanta business community and, with that exposure, will also become looked upon by that same business community as one that is available to assist them in their project and program management maturity through the education, networking, and thought leadership we provide and coordinate to and for our members.

In 2009, the board chartered a 2010 Planning Committee, and their work through the use of surveys, focus groups, and personal conversations has informed the planning of 2010.  The activities of the chapter for 2010 will be “a little” different in some months as we incorporate some of the changes recommended – more information will be coming about these little changes in the months ahead. Many thanks to Jennifer Whitt and MaryGrace Allenchy for their leadership in this task and the other volunteers for their many hours in a very compressed timeframe. 

The 2010 Calendar is on the Web site and, as members, you will be receiving a copy by mail along with our new PMI Atlanta Brochure – thanks to our VP of Marketing, Dean Gudlauski.

As your President in 2010, I have established a few, measurable goals related to participation that the board will be working towards:

1. Increasing the number of PMI Atlanta members participating in lunch and dinner meetings to 35% (approximately 1500 – in the last couple of years we have been between 25-29% around 1200).

2. Increasing the number of those PMI Atlanta members who do participate to participate multiple times to 60% (approximately 900 – currently around 50%).

In order to help accomplish these goals, we are introducing the use of technology – webinars for our lunch and selected dinner events in 2010. We are currently working out the logistics, and you will be seeing this as a option hopefully as early as April 2010.

And, of course, we want to invite those of you who are not yet a member to join us and receive your member discount for all events.

The success of our chapter is also dependent upon you as members – contributing your ideas and suggestions on how we can best meet your needs.  To facilitate more interaction with the board, we have planned two breakfast occasions for members to join the board in chartering and reviewing our progress.  Look for these on the calendar also – March 19th is the first one.

Enjoy the New Year, and I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event.  Find me there and let me hear your thoughts on how the chapter can better meet your needs.

New for 2010

• We have added two “Breakfast with the Board” meetings where 50 members can register for a free breakfast while getting and giving information from/to the board.  These will be held from 7:30 am – 9:00 am on Friday, March 19th, and Friday, September 24th.

• PMI Atlanta Board meetings will be open for members to attend electronically beginning in February.  Details of this are not worked out yet but plans are underway.

• Lunch meetings beginning in April 2010 and selected dinner meetings will be offered as a webinar which will allow more members to participate without concerns for travel.

• Two dinner meetings, March 8th and August 9th, will have a different format serving appetizers and networking following a speaker.  We are planning a lower cost for these events.

• Lunch meetings in July, August, and September have been combined.

• Our plans include finalizing the entire 2010 programs for lunch, dinner, and certification & education events in January 2010 so that members and others can plan their entire year if desired.

• We will be working with subject matter experts on defining the best approach of managing our member and non-member database which will allow for members only sections of the website including social networking, more robust job boards, and other functionality for members.

• We will be working with subject matter experts on defining a communication plan and approach which will maximize our communications without the look and feel of email spam.

Recognition of the Outgoing Board and Incoming Board

We have a formal volunteer celebration that will take place in February, but I can’t let this opportunity pass to recognize the members of the 2009 Board that are “retiring.”

Lisa Grant, Pam Price & Frances Scott are ending their term of office with the chapter – (smiles on their face mixed with gratitude on mine).

I want to briefly acknowledge their service to the chapter and highlight just a few of their accomplishments:

Lisa Grant – over the past three years, you have accomplished all of the goals you outlined for us. In one sentence, we have a new Web site, a revamped and very informative newsletter, and this wonderful Awards Program. Your leadership, tenacity, and patience helped the board and our many volunteers achieve these. WOW!

Pam Price – Over the past two years, you have made all our new members know us and feel welcome, and you have brought sanity to the management of our volunteers while at the same time have answered countless queries from our members and potential members on most anything you can imagine related to the profession. SUPER!

Frances Scott – Over the past two years, you have lead the re-invigoration of our professional growth events preceding the dinner meetings and have worked extremely hard in making sure that the 2008 Professional Development Day was successful and that the 2010 PDD - May 1st - will be even better. Tremendous!

Your wisdom and experience will be missed next year, and I hope that you will stay connected and involved with the chapter so that we can continue to benefit for your knowledge. Your Past President and Board Emiterus badges should be worn with pride. Thank you for your service.