Hello to all of our members, prospective members and followers!  What a year! PDUs, awards, certification classes, collaborations and hackathons!  2018 was truly a year to remember and 2019 starts our kickoff to our 25th anniversary!  Want to learn more?  Read on!

What did we accomplish this year?

In 2018 we had some amazing speakers share with us their experience and knowledge.  From Ann Tardy to Shawn Zadeh to you! 30 PDUs by my count!  You only need 60 over 3 years to maintain your PMP certification.  Dinner events and professional development days are valuable, timely and local.  What a great way to learn about the latest project management and agile tips and techniques while networking with people who do what you do?  The 2019 calendar is all set - take a look and mark your calendar!

Did you realize that in 2018, in addition to the PMP Prep certification classes, we hosted the PMI-ACP and CSM?  Over 50 people prepared themselves for the next step in their career through these classes.  2019 starts today!  PMP Prep classes start Feb 2nd so register now!  Are you interested in CSM, SAFe or PMI-ACP?  So are we!  All 3 with be offered in 2019!

Our vision is be recognized as a dynamic organization promoting the Project Management Institute (PMI) and professional project management practices in the Buffalo Niagara Regional area.  Community involvement is a fantastic way to promote project management.  This year we were involved with Future City, University of Buffalo, Buffalo Niagara Payroll association, ASWE, ASME, ASEE, ASQ and Infotech WNY.  Do you have an idea of a community organization we should be involved in?  Let me know.

And the beat goes on.

While the drum beats with the member-focused initiatives above, another side of the Board’s work is internal and largely unseen.  This work ensures we continue as a viable, operational organization and includes marketing, chapter analytics, records management, financial management and technology management.  While the details are too numerous to mention, I can say this - the PMI Buffalo chapter was in the running for chapter of the year because we have a strong balance sheet with necessary reserves, the right technology to meet our needs, a focus on social media second to none in the region and a commitment to succession and transition planning through uniform record keeping.

Our lifeblood!

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the PMI Buffalo chapter and this year was a great year for our volunteers.  Tammy Ashraf graduated from the PMI Leadership Institute Master Class.  A year long learning and growth opportunity only a handful of volunteers from around the world get selected for.  On top of that, Tammy was awarded the Young Professional Award this fall!  We are so happy for her and we are looking forward to her bright future!

Speaking of future, Teresa Lawrence - our VP of Certification was selected to join PMI’s R.E.P. Advisory Group.  This is a recognition of Teresa’s tremendous contributions in the certification environment and her commitment to educating project managers here in Western NY.  Now she will share her talents and expertise with Registered Education Providers around the world!  We wish Teresa all the best in her future endeavors!   As we say goodbye to Teresa, we say hello to Jackie Niro.  Jackie joins us as our new VP, Certification.  She has already hit the ground running through the transition period and is primed to build on her predecessor’s success and a fabulous team of volunteers.  Look for announcements soon on a new vendor for CSM and a new offering for SAFe!  Changeover is constant in any organization.  We say hello and welcome to Sal, Naveed, Dave &, Christa and thank and say goodbye to Amit, Carlos, Lydia & Cheryl. 

Finally, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Mary Harris as our Board trustee.  Mary joined us as a director of our newsletter in 2007 and has held positions as director of content management, VP, Marketing and as Trustee.  In addition to her board roles, Mary has been a consistently valuable member of our PDD team, our resident historian as new folks join the Board and a personal friend.  While Mary is stepping down from the board, she has agreed to continue volunteering with our PDD team and we are truly appreciative of her continued volunteerism!

Let the countdown begin!

Today starts the countdown to our 25th anniversary in 2020.  We have some big things planned in the run up to our anniversary year including stories from our presidents - Past, Present & Future.  In 2020 we are planning collaborative events, prizes and tchotchkes!

Jeff Manhardt | PMP
President
PMI Buffalo Chapter
president@pmibuffalo.org