Maintaining My Credential - Reaching Out

 

To start, I want to include a disclaimer.  If any members of my local PMI chapter read this post, keep in mind that this is a blog about maintaing my PMP, i.e. PDUs.  Please don't consider this an official statement about why I would make a great board member - I don't think that reading this will give you that impression.

My local chapter is having Board elections, soon.  At one point I thought that being on the Board would be a great way to earn PDUs, but upon reflection I realized that PDUs are not a strong enough motivation for me to commit my time and energy to serving on the Board.  I may be chronicling my quest for PDUs, but I don't see how I could effectively serve my chapter with PDUs as my motivation. 

It's kind of like the T4 (train the trainer) class I took while in Sacramento.  It was a free 8 PDU class as long as participants committed to volunteer to teach the PMP prep class offered by the Sacramento PMI chapter.  I was glad for the PDUs (which I ended up not claiming because I moved and never taught the class), but my real motivation was to be able to teach something meaningful that would help others.  If I hadn't moved, I would have 8 more PDUs for the class, plus additional PDUs for every class I taught.  Even though I missed out on the PDUs, I'm glad I did not miss out on the T4 class.  Similarly, any PDUs from serving on the Board will just be gravy.

In reviewing the chapter bylaws, I found a few positions that interested me, but most of them had incumbents who were running again this year.  Fortunately for me, the position that interests me most is open. I've cast my lot in for the VP of Community Outreach.  Having been involved with two other professional associations' chapters that were new and struggling to grow (Toastmasters and IIBA, while in Sacramento), I've seen how effective outreach can make a difference in the success of an organization.  I tried to get involved with the local IIBA chapter shortly after moving "here", but they are having membership and outreach issues.  Not only have they not gotten off the ground in the past year since I first contacted them, they have not responded to my offers of support.

Even though we have not had elections, yet, and I hope to accomplish great things on the board, this isn't the place to discuss my strategy.  My closing thoughts for fellow PDU seekers: if you are inspired to serve, the Board of your local chapter is one way.  Volunteering to help with chapter activities is another, that I have not addressed, yet, but I will in the future.  Regardless, do it for the opportunity to make a difference, not just for the PDUs.