Chapter Update

From the President’s Desk

Greetings fellow Great Lakes Chapter members!!

Finally, there seems to be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully, the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Michigan is coming down gradually. Vaccines are being administered at a good pace and Spring is about to be upon us. Above all, our annual Symposium is right around the corner!

Be Sure to Register for This Year's Symposium!
As you all know, the Symposium is on Friday, April 23. We have an outstanding Speaker, Ted Ma, delivering both the opening and closing keynotes, a variety of topics spanning over four tracks for the Breakout sessions, a LOT of Networking opportunities, AND fabulous prizes to be won! Additionally, Symposium attendees will have the opportunity to chat with sponsors in their confidential booth on offerings, job opportunities and appointments for detailed discussion. A sponsor representative will be waiting to privately chat throughout the symposium and additionally for 30 minutes after the last event. Read the complete article.

PMI Hardship Provision

The Hardship Provision is available to any PMI member whose financial condition has changed drastically and sufficiently so that a member would have difficulty renewing their membership. A member must be in good standing for at least three previous years to qualify for the hardship provision. Read on.

Upcoming Meetings

Quarterly Breakfast Meeting
March 19 - 7-8 am

Quality Management through Honest and Timely Feedback
When cultural norms and societal pressure keep us from being open and honest, the quality of our projects can suffer. It takes a lot of courage to address a difficult situation head-on so it’s important to use good data (not rumors or impressions), and have solid relationships to support your good intent. Project Managers are uniquely equipped with the skills that bring people together, inspire their commitment and maximize their contribution.

Speaker: Pamela Hartsell
Hartsell,Pamela-ed.jpg Pam is a Project Manager and Senior Mechanical/Electrical Designer with nearly 30 years of experience in engineering for construction. With over 150 projects served, she has worked with owners, architects, developers and contractors on the design and construction of mechanical and electrical systems in a wide variety of business markets including food service, health care, senior living and multi-tenant residential.

Construction Panel: PMPs for LEED Projects
March 30 - 4:30-6 pm

Project Management Professionals understand the System Thinking concept behind LEED rating system and are the experts when it comes to integrating different aspects of a project.

U.S. Green Building Council·s LEED rating system has identified great strategies to reduce the adverse impacts of built environments on several important fronts based on the Triple Bottom Line concept, as follows:

Reverse Contribution to Global Climate Change
Enhance Individual Human Health and Well-Being
Protect and Restore Water Resources
Protect, Enhance and Restore Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Promote Sustainable and Regenerative Material Resources Cycles
Build a Greener Economy
Enhance Social Equity, Environmental Justice, Community Health and Quality of Life

April Monthly Meeting
April 12 - 6-7 pm

Creating a Culture of Ownership and Accountability in the New Normal
It’s no secret that, in today’s business environment, holding your employees and team members accountable can be difficult. Excuses, lateness or even having difficult internal conversations in this age of virtual offices is, perhaps, more challenging than ever.

In this session we'll be covering:

How to identify the 4 myths of accounting & overcome them.
How to build a plan of accountability in your workplace.
How to build goals around accountability.
How to change your beliefs around accountability.

Speaker: Greg Coyne
A graduate of Albion College, Greg Coyne has been actively involved with Southfield-based Gerry Weinberg & Associates-Sandler Training since 2009. He has an additional 10+ years of success in Leadership, Management, & Business Development.

He has helped a wide variety of companies; whose presidents, CEO’s and other leaders were disappointed that their companies were not getting them the results they wanted. They were frustrated with themselves that they were not able to lead their teams effectively remotely, concerned they were not communicating dynamically and efficiently; and worried that with these issues, their respective businesses would lack the proper systems and processes to take them to the next level. Through Greg’s help, his clients learn how to use a system to build a business, uncover blind spots they didn’t even realize they had, and stop wasting valuable time with companies they will never do business with.

Professional Development Opportunities

Have You Heard What the New PMP Exam for 2021 Looks Like?

If you are planning to take the PMP exam (or know someone who is), you will need to take a course that will prepare you for this exam. PMIGL chapter is excited to announce that we have partnered with Peak Business Management for PMP Exam preparation courses. With this partnership, our members (and anyone that you want to refer) receive a significant discount on PMP, DASM, and PMI-ACP exam preparation classes -- up to $200 or more in savings!!! The best part is that Peak offers several live virtual classes per month that fit any schedule (days, evenings, weekends) with instructors and students from around the country. Read on.

Volunteer Spotlight

This Month We Spotlight Jerry Gusmano

Jerry Gusmano’s former volunteer roles were assisting with the 2018 Annual Symposium, followed by his election as the Vice President of Professional Development (VP PD). In this role as VP PD, Jerry added world-class events to PMIGL chapter membership and enhanced the portfolio of events/training. Jerry revived the membership benefits during COVID with virtual relevant speakers, networking, continuing education, and volunteer opportunities.

As President-elect, Jerry is charged with supporting the current president in establishing PMIGL chapter goals for 2021. Jerry collaborated with sister chapters to create elevated experiences for Michigan chapters, including working with the Board of Directors on PMIGL's Charter and policies. Read more about Jerry.

Communications

PM Musings

Leading Virtual Teams with NO LIMITS
by William A. Moylan, PhD, PMP, FESD, DTM, Professor Emeritus, Eastern Michigan University

There is little difference in outcomes when comparing virtual project teams to co-located. Both follow a similar project lifecycle to create a product or service to successfully satisfy the needs of the customer. Additionally, the role of the project manager remains the same - leader, manager, facilitator and mentor/coach. In both, much of the project’s success relies on the leadership abilities of the project manager. Read the complete article.

Welcome New Members

View the list of new members who joined in February.

New Member Orientation
April 14 - 6-7 pm

Welcome new PMIGL members! Register to attend new member orientation.

Chapter Sustained Sponsors

Interested in becoming a sponsor? There are many opportunities for event and sustained sponsorships, but they fill quickly! For more information view our Sponsor Information Packet.

Platinum Level

Gold Level

Silver Level