Categories: volunteering
A friend of mine recently let me know that her second book is “coming soon”. I’m not allowed to help her promote it until August, so I can’t say who she is or what the title will be, but I am going to share a little about a related topic from the perspective of my own experiences.
Tomorrow is my last day as VP of Communications & Technology for the PMI Northern Utah Chapter (PMINUC). Over the past year and a half, I’ve split off the Technology function and taken over Marketing (our graphics designer and the "marketing" title were part of another team), but the changes had to be voted on in the last election and won’t be official (on paper) until July 1st. I could have stayed in the updated position for another term, but I have a few obligations I’ve been neglecting since I took over the role. It’s bittersweet, but it’s time.
I have enjoyed my time serving and networking with our chapter members, updating the website, revamping the newsletter, and starting to figure out how to best use social media to promote chapter events. I’ve made new friendships, built on existing relationships, and I like to think I helped a few people on their project management journey. There have been challenges - people, process, and technology (StarChapter… IYKYK). I may volunteer with the board, again, in the future, if my new journey allows time for it. I don’t regret this short detour.
I’m not ready to talk about what’s next for me, but I would like to make a suggestion for you. If you’re not already, find a way to volunteer and serve others. It doesn’t have to be with a PMI Chapter Board of Directors. If your chapter is like ours, it also offers the occasional opportunity to serve in the community or to be a mentor to other project managers. Or you can find a shelter or food closet that needs volunteers. Maybe you already belong to an organization that has service opportunities, like a church, fraternal or civic organization. These are great ways to develop your leadership skills, expand your network and, in some cases, bring project management practices that can help things run more efficiently.
As I contemplate the last few things I need to do before telling the VP of Technology that my access can be revoked, I can feel a small void forming. I’m a little sad to leave and excited for what’s next. I’ll miss seeing one set of friends, regularly, while I make new friends. No regrets. It's time to take the plunge into something new.
