Event Update

PMI Cmass Chapter Celebrates Five Years!

by Alice Thayer, PMP

On April 8, 2008 we held our 5 Year Anniversary Celebration with a record turn-out of over 100 attendees. We started the anniversary celebration with a non-alcoholic 'champagne toast' and cupcakes.

Our Region 3 mentor, Jorge F. Gelabert, PMP, came up from Hartford with his wife Nancy. Jorge spoke about Region 3 and his role as mentor.

Contributions of our five past presidents were recognized. Our past presidents are:

• Jim Walsh
• Jim Baldinger
• Jim McGill
• Sue Baust
• Barbara Karten

Sue Baust gave us Five Fun Facts for the chapter:

• President Jim, President Jim, President Jim
• Membership grows almost 15 times from 34 to 500
• We have the highest percentage of PMPs of New England chapters, Region 3 and PMI at 65%
• PDU offerings grow from 10 to over 40 for 2008 programs
• Jobfox.com ranked Project Management 12th in its top 25 most wanted professions

Our main speaker, Debra Miersma, PMP, spoke on “Effective Issue Resolution” which was based on the 'PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct'. Debra is Secretary and member of the Board of the PMI Educational Foundation. Debra was Chair of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Implementation Advisory Committee [CIAC] during 2007.

In addition to our general drawing, two Anniversary special drawings were held. One PMI drawing for all participants - five prizes were awarded. The second was a Membership drawing. For each chapter member who brought a non-member guest. Two winners were awarded PMI CMass t shirts. Our sponsor, Computer Express, Inc., generously offered five prizes for the general drawing.