November
2019

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Chapter President Penelope Luedtke, PMP

Hello!

My friend asked me the other day, “Why are you doing this?” She was referring to the work I’ve been putting in as President. I didn’t have an immediate answer, but it got me thinking. 

Why do I do this?

It’s because I need to put what I’ve learned into practice. I’ve been to countless seminars, conferences, webinars, and workshops on leadership. Now...I need to lead. I need to prove to myself that I can be an effective leader. This Chapter is a great place to do that! I’m surrounded by supportive, like-minded folks, mostly in the same type of profession as me; plus, we're optimistic and a FUN bunch to be around! 

PMI provides emerging project management professionals a means of learning the language of the trade, AND the chance for experienced pros to sharpen their skills for future opportunities. PMI is a global organization with decades of experience advocating for our shared profession. Today, their motto is “Empowering People to Make Ideas a Reality.”

And I have a lot of ideas about this Chapter that I would like to make a reality. I’d like to send welcome letters to all our new members. I’d like to better share the new PMI Global brand on our website. I’d like to have more panel events that showcase our members’ experience and talents. I’d like to spin up study groups for those prepping to take the PMP exam. I’d like us to be close allies with other organizations that could benefit from the discipline of project management. I’d like to be sprinkling the notion of project management among school-age children.

I’d like to do A LOT of stuff!

But we can’t do it without engaging our members and turning you from once-a-month attendees to “PMI-is-my-jam-let’s-do-something-awesome” volunteers! So, here’s a list of suggestions for you to consider - you might recognize these from our Annual Conference:

• Do you want to flex your leadership muscle? Consider a position on our Executive Board. 
• Do you want to learn more about budgets and P&L statements? We need an Assistant VP of Finance. 
• Do you want more practice writing, creating content or engaging social media challenges? Our Marketing Portfolio could use your help. 
• Are you interested in training? Our Professional Development Portfolio runs our training and workshops. 
• Does planning an awesome event sound like a lot of fun? Our Program Portfolio could use your expertise. 
• Would you like to flex your technical skills? We have a web page to manage, a suite of tools that need support and an Operations Portfolio that could use your knowledge. 
• Do you need to improve your Public Speaking? Our chapter Toastmasters Club is a perfect opportunity with leadership roles open now. 
• Are you interested in building relationships with outside organizations? Our Outreach Portfolio always welcomes a helping hand in maintaining connections with our community.

Or, maybe it’s just time for you to gift your abilities, experience, and talent to the next generation of project managers! Whatever the reason, we welcome you to join us. We aim to be an inclusive, welcoming community and I look forward to you jumping in!

Penelope Luedtke, PMP
President, PMI Portland Chapter

ARTICLES

Special Chapter Meeting: Prep for Next Career Move

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” 

 — Roman philosopher Seneca

Chapter Meeting | November 19, 2019 — Let the Perfect Job Find You!

By Julie Easterly, PMP 

Want a career change or looking for a job? It’s tough just getting started. 

Today, job hunting is much different than just a few years ago. Now, along with creating a solid resume, researching a desired company and gathering a good list of references, you need a professional profile, a well-developed 30-second elevator pitch and a good headshot! 

This month’s November 19 Chapter meeting — held in collaboration with supply chain management group, APIC Portland — will give you the chance to accomplish all those things and more. This meeting has been reshaped into a Job Resource Event meant to help you prepare for your next career move and differentiate yourself from other prospective candidates. With resume reviewers, photographers, recruiters and a panel discussion on career strategies, this is your chance to build or improve your professional identity. 

Don’t forget: networking is vital to finding the right opportunity. Spend some time getting connected with other project management professionals and potential employers. 

Register before November 14 for our early bird discount. Let us help you prepare for when the perfect job finds you! 

Informational Interviews Can Open Doors

By Kelley Duron, MEd, CSM

Career strategist Jenny Foss has helped thousands of job seekers find their next careers by offering practical advice on her blog, in books such as the Ridiculously Awesome Resume Kit, and online video courses in partnership with LinkedIn, as well as through consulting and other platforms.

One great way to jump-start a new job search is through informational interviews. Foss emphasizes, though, job seekers should NOT expect such a meeting to turn into a job interview. “Don’t plan to thrust your resume on that person and expect them to lead the conversation,” she says. “You are the interviewer … and your primary goal is to collect information that will support your search. Come prepared.”

That means doing homework before you go – check out the person’s profile on LinkedIn. Where have they worked? What college did they attend? From that basic information, prepare your questions to get the most out of your time with busy professionals. Foss shares these five simple questions that can kickstart a conversation:

1. How did you get into this field, and how did you land your role? This shows you have a genuine interest in their background and could lead to hints about how you might break into that company.
2. What is the best part about working here? Foss says all the research in the world can’t answer this question as well as getting first-hand feedback.
3. What are the most challenging aspects of your job? This question will not only give you some idea of the opportunities and projects you may take on should you work at this organization, it could also hint to the culture of the company.  
4. What skills are most important to break into this space? Don’t be surprised if this question prompts your interviewee to ask about your own skills – or even ask to see your resume (but remember – DON’T just offer it up!)

Finally, as you close your time together, ask,

Based on our discussion, can you think of one or two other people I can chat with? Foss says this is essential to keeping the momentum going.

“One person may not be the magic bullet but might spark a chain of introductions that will help you dig further and meet other people,” Foss says. And, who knows? One of them may pull out all the stops to help you land your next job!

Jenny Foss will be a panelist and resume reviewer at PMI Portland’s Career Event at our November 19 Chapter meeting. Space is limited. Register today! 

Meet an Emerging Leader: Omar Ordonez, VP of Membership for PMI Portland

By Rachel Crane, PMP

Omar Ordonez, MBA, PMP, is many things: Former software developer, current software project manager and management consultant, motorcycle adventurer, backpacker, rescuer of stray dogs, and recent addition to the PMI Portland Board of Directors, where he serves as Vice President of Membership.

In his position with our Chapter, Ordonez oversees the strategy and management of membership and volunteer initiatives. 

“[PMI Portland] aims to attract and retain members and provide value to them,” he explains. “Similarly, we track and retain volunteers and provide them with a career  track so that they can grow.” 

Omar during a motorcycle trip from Alaska to South America, traveling with the adopted stray dog he found while passing through Ecuador.

With an adventurous spirit and a desire to make a difference, Ordonez aims to promote professional growth.

“I’ve been a member since before my time living in Portland,” says Ordonez. “When I moved here, I saw that there were a lot of opportunities within the Portland Chapter, that there was a need for volunteers. I decided that I needed to do something for the chapter."

For Ordonez, pinpointing how the Membership portfolio can lead changes and enhance chapter growth is essential. 

“We’re trying to move away from the status quo,” he says, revealing his preference for out-of-box thinking. “I’m looking at our President’s strategy and then thinking broadly as if we’re creating a brand-new business. The membership team relies heavily on other portfolios, so we are focused on creating synergies with others to be effective,” he says. 

Like his aspirations for the chapter, Ordonez’s personal goals are ambitious. He is currently training for his next personal adventure: a 100-mile ultra-marathon. Through his daring and determination, Ordonez is going places.

Interested in learning more about opportunities with the Membership portfolio? Visit our leadership page to learn more about open positions within the portfolio.

Have Knowledge to Share?

Submit an article -- or share an idea -- by sending an email to Director of Content Marketing.  

Nominate Someone for PMI Portland Leadership Profile

 Are you or someone you know interested in being interviewed for the PMI Portland newsletter leadership profile? To nominate yourself or a colleague for consideration, please contact our Director of Content Marketing with a few details about your nominee.

EVENTS

Military Outreach

No Need to Take Sides While Watching Army-Navy Football

PMI Portland’s Military Outreach group is hosting another family-friendly gathering — this time to watch Army duke it out against home team Navy in their 120th meeting on Saturday, December 14. Enjoy the rivalry, with Army v. Navy competitions in pop-a-shot, foosball and trivia in addition to game-watching on he big screen.

Our PMI members and prospective members and families, whether veterans or not, will meet at the Spirit of ‘77 from 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person (kids are free). The event is a fundraiser for the USO. Watch for registration information on our PMI Portland homepage, and follow us on:

Twitter @PMIPortland

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PMIPortland/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pmiportland-chapter

Six-Week PMP/CAPM Exam Prep | January 18 - February 22, 2020 

PMI Portland will offer the winter session each Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. to prep attendees for PMP or CAPM certification. Experienced project managers or project leaders ready to become certified Project Management Professionals (PMP), and those looking to establish credibility in the application of project management processes as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), will benefit from this course which will help you prepare for–and pass–the Project Management Institute (PMI) examination.

Students will receive a copy of the PMI PMBOK (6th) edition, a complete set of study materials from Velociteach, and access to online practice exams that simulate the exam environment. 

Attendance in the course will satisfy the education requirement for both the PMP and CAPM application. To be eligible for the PMP certification, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. All project management experience must have been accrued within the last eight consecutive years prior to your application submission. Please visit PMI Certifications for complete exam eligibility requirements.

Key Learning Objectives:

1. Study tips & strategies sitting for the 2020 PMP/CAPM examination
2. Supplemental materials and advice from current PMP professionals
3. Learn how to utilize the PMBOK 6th ed. to assist in studying for the exam and further professional development
4. Practical application and analysis of project management
5. Provide networking and study group opportunities
6. Build confidence and awareness to become a Project Management Professional

Roundtables in Full Swing

Have a pesky problem you are dealing with on your project? Would you like to hear other perspectives on industry best practices from your peers? PMI Portland hosts roundtable groups across the Portland Metro area each week, including Hillsboro, Downtown, Lloyd Center area, North Portland, Vancouver -- even a virtual event focusing on Agile!

Agile PM Online Roundtable with Jenn Honermann, is this Thursday, November 14th at 7 a.m.

Jenn serves as the Director of Agility Enablement at Capital One and will share key insights and learnings gained on Capital One’s Agile Journey along with answering questions from our community.

Watch the PMI Portland homepage, or visit our Roundtable listing for details on all our meetings. 

Chapter Event Calendar 

COMMUNITY

PMI Portland’s Winterhawks Veteran Salute a Rousing Success

What a night!! The Winterhawks won; Project Management Institute - Portland Chapter Fan Page raised over $250 for USO.org, we honored our Veterans, 40+ professionals networked and we had a BLAST.  What more could you ask for!  

Free Agile and Lean Events; Earn PDUs/SEUs!

Lean Coffee in the North | Sunday, November 17, 10 a.m. 

Whether you like coffee, tea or another morning beverage, this gathering offers engaging discussions about how to overcome challenges we face, and shares Agile-inspired stories and other topics.

Puppet Speaker Series: Agile for Business, including examples from HR | Wednesday, November 20, 6:30 p.m. 

Drawing on lessons learned from both Agile and Enterprise Architecture, Matt Jamison, Principal Consultant at The Gunter Group, explores how Agile concepts offer a fresh approach to building bridges between strategy, processes, and the realization of business goals. Join us for FREE pizza, soda, and learning!

AgilePDX Westsde: Transitioning from Waterfall to Agile | November 22, 11:30 a.m.

Join us at Nike to talk about the sometimes bumpy road from waterfall to agile. Bring your war stories and insights to help us work out how to smooth the road from traditional to more agile methods.

Sponsor Offers New Courses

PMI Portland Silver Sponsor Braintrust Consulting has three upcoming courses to help you build your skillset and bolster your resume.  

Certified Scrum Developer: CSD Dec 10-12, Portland

Certified Scrum Master: CSM Jan 20-21, Portland

Certified Scrum Product Owner: CSPO Jan 22-23, Portland

Visit braintrust.com for registration details.

As a special offer to PMI Portland chapter members, register using promo code PMIPortland19 and receive a $100 discount on the registration fee, and Braintrust will also donate $100 to the PMI Portland Chapter. Email Allyson.bowers@braintrustgroup.com with any questions.

MORE TO EXPLORE

• Join PMI Portland Chapter
• Chapter Leadership
• New Certifications
• Become a Chapter Sponsor

• Chapter Social Media
• Contribute to the Newsletter
• Newsletter Archive
• Newsletter Article Archive

CHAPTER SPONSORS

October
2019

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Chapter President Penelope Luedtke, PMP

Hello Members,

2019 marks the 50th Anniversary of which of the following? (Annual Conference attendees will have an advantage on this one.)

1. Tic Tacs
2. ATMs
3. Sesame Street
4. TriMet
5. Project Management Institute
6. All of the Above

If you picked “F,” you are right!

PMI was started in 1969 and this year marks half a decade of promoting, improving and advocating for the profession of Project Management. In the words of PMI Global, “As we celebrate PMI’s 50th anniversary around the world, we want to focus special attention on the professionals – PMI members, credential holders, volunteers and all of those that consider project, program and portfolio management their profession for their great accomplishment in not just delivering successful outcomes, but in making a difference.”*

Personally, I’d like to give an extra 50th Anniversary shout out to our PMI Portland Chapter volunteers. Volunteers make our services and events possible for our members and allies alike; they are the lifeblood of this organization.

To celebrate PMI and our volunteers, we’re throwing a party that ALL members can enjoy. Join us on Thursday, October 24th, from 5:00–8:00 pm at the Punchbowl Social Club in downtown Portland for an evening of food, drinks, games, karaoke and cake! There also will be bowling, darts, video games, pinball and ping pong, along with the food and great socializing.

Anyone who volunteered with PMI Portland Chapter between August 2018 and September 2019 can attend for free! Contact your Portfolio leader starting Oct. 11 to receive your volunteer discount code for registration. Members who haven’t volunteered can still join us for the minimal cost of just $10 per person. All are welcome to bring guests, also $10 per person. Attendance is limited to 150 people. See more logistics information and register NOW.

P.S.: Since the event is so close to Halloween, feel free to dress in costume as your favorite project manager! (LOL!)

* To see PMI global projects and results in action, check out PMI’s 50th Anniversary celebration pages by starting here: https://www.pmi.org and scrolling down to the 50th Anniversary banner.

Penelope Luedtke, PMP
President, PMI Portland Chapter

ARTICLES

A TIME to Remember: 2019 Annual Conference Highlights

By Rachel Crane, PMP

On September 20th, PMI Portland delivered on its promise to make this year’s Annual Conference a TIME to remember, delivering diverse sessions to build Talent, Inspiration, Motivation and Emotional Intelligence.

Featuring 18 presentations, sessions and keynotes, the Annual Conference allowed participants to choose from a diverse array of subjects ranging from technical to strategic and motivational.

The lessons from the conference were many, but a few takeaways stood out:

1. Knowing yourself is crucial in choosing a professional path.
   Through interactive and person-centered sessions, conference participants learned to identify their purpose, superpowers and goals, allowing them to establish clearer roadmaps for success.
   
   
2. Trust and relationships are key to successful project delivery.
   Every session involving successful project delivery and stakeholder management underscored the importance of soft skills in effectively navigating projects and organizations.
   
   
3. There are many roads to leadership.
   This year featured new panel sessions on program and portfolio management, providing participants with insights from those in executive positions on how to move from project implementer to business leader.
   
   
4. Tools and frameworks must be leveraged in innovative ways.
   Technical sessions showed audiences how to use existing and emerging methodologies, software tools and data analysis within their project contexts. Combining creativity and analytical skills can allow professionals to drive outside-the-box solutions.

The 2019 Annual Conference was made possible by over 20+ speakers and panelists, 300+ attendees, 50+ volunteers and 12 sponsors. If you missed the event, check out our Annual Conference homepage.

Annual Conference 2019 Session Highlight: Amber McMillan Shares Secrets to Effective Stakeholder Management

By Krystal Salmon, PMP

100% of stakeholders are human. Shocking, isn’t it?

But sometimes we forget. In Amber McMillan’s high energy 2019 Annual Conference session, we were gently reminded that stakeholders are people too, and each comes to the table with their own experiences, needs, and special brand of power.

So, how can we balance the demands and expectations of several to several hundred (or even thousands!) of people and still deliver the right project outcome? Even more difficult, how can we do it while building and maintaining important relationships and rapport?

“Stakeholders have primary needs that must be met, including the knowledge of what benefits there are for themselves and their organizations,” McMillan explained. Beyond that, she said, they need to trust that the team is performing and that their needs will be met.

As a day-to-day project manager often caught up in delivering, I found McMillan’s session to be a good reminder that the building blocks of any successful project are the relationships built. Relationships lead to information such as insights into individual and team motivations and better-defined requirements.

Her tactical guide to both managing and engaging stakeholders included helpful tips any project manager can apply today. First, “own” your stakeholders, knowing who they are and their idiosyncrasies. Second (my personal favorite), make TWO stakeholder registers -- one to share and one for your personal use. The added register could contain more detailed information about those you are working with to help you better navigate your approach. I’ll be creating my “lock and key” version ASAP!

McMillan also emphasized the need to develop, update and share a communications register with your stakeholders. Give them insight into who will be communicating with them about what, when, and in which medium. Make communication a two-way street so they can share with you, too.

Finally, protect your stakeholders. Make sure that you are advocating for their needs as you advance throughout your project, from defining requirements to ensuring they have the correct status updates.

Meet an Emerging Leader: Sandra Koelle, MBA, PMP, CSSGB

By Rachel Crane, PMP

Sandra Koelle is the 2019 Annual Conference Director for PMI Portland and a long-standing member and volunteer for PMI Portland. Koelle has served in a number of leadership roles with PMI Portland, including as former Director of PMP Certification. In her day job, Koelle serves as a Program Manager for Kaiser Permanente.

How do you organize a day-long conference with two keynote presentations, 16 sessions, and hundreds of attendees? Just ask Sandra Koelle, MBA, PMP, CSSGB, the Director of the PMI Portland 2019 Annual Conference. Speaking about how she took the conference from vision to reality, Sandra describes her process with the ease of a professional with a deep understanding of the ins and outs of managing projects—and people.

“I started working on the conference in 2018, delving into how past conferences were done and then developing a project management plan. Then I recruited a project team to execute that plan,” says Koelle. “I also worked with portfolio leads to coordinate on the program and speakers, event marketing and sponsorship, mobile app creation, and volunteer engagement.”

To successfully drive conference planning, Koelle focused on “putting together a vision and imparting that vision.” She explains, “I had a vision for the different components of the conference…and I logged a lot of hours” to guide the implementation of that vision.

In her work taking the conference from vision to execution, Koelle says soft skills have been the key to success.

“We are all volunteers with day jobs, and we all have moments when we say, ‘I am really busy.’ To make it worth it, you need to make it about the relationships. It’s about exerting influence, tapping into others’ source of motivation, and asking them to hang in there with you.”

By ensuring the conference team leads had developed essential processes and on-boarded conference volunteers, on event day Koelle was able to enjoy the experience and see the vision brought to life. She participated in sessions such as the leadership panels offered through the program and portfolio management track, which was new this year.

“We wanted to see if we could engage more experienced project professionals through the program and portfolio management track. I thought the panel sessions for this track were excellent, both for less experienced project managers and senior project managers interested in working their way up to the executive level.”

She adds, “The majority of people I recruited for the conference were millennials. We need to keep them engaged in the chapter. What kept millennial volunteers engaged during conference planning was having the ability to innovate. We need to rethink our programs and explore how to incorporate tech into our activities and events.”

Asked what her next steps are post-conference, Koelle laughs. “I’m taking a vacation.” 

Have Knowledge to Share?

Submit an article -- or share an idea -- by sending an email to Director of Content Marketing.  

EVENTS

Chapter Meetings

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” – Anthony J. D'Angelo

Chapter Meeting | October 15, 2019

The Human Factor in Project Management; Leading Teams to Breakthrough Success | October 16, 2019
Leadership coach Kevin Ciccotti will stay in Portland an extra day after highlighting our October Chapter meeting to present this all-day workshop that looks at the "human factor" in project management. This course offers participants strategies to develop world-class, current and relevant leadership skills, building more resonant relationships, and getting teams to commit to each project while working together more effectively from the outset.

Workshop participants will walk away with:

• Innovative insights into human behavior, including their own
• A new level of understanding of their innate drivers
• Tools that improve emotional intelligence to lead more effectively
• Relationship-building tips to drive engagement, commitment, and productivity
• Methods for becoming a resilient leader

Check out more on Kevin’s background, workshop pricing, and register before it is too late. Early bird discount ends Oct. 10. This workshop is filling fast!

Roundtables in Full Swing

Have a pesky problem you are dealing with on your project? Would you like to hear other perspectives on industry best practices from your peers? PMI Portland hosts roundtable groups across the Portland Metro area each week, including Hillsboro, Downtown, Lloyd Center area, North Portland, Vancouver -- even a virtual event focusing on Agile! Watch our homepage, or visit our Roundtable listing for more information.

Celebrate PMI’s 50th Anniversary and our Volunteers | October 24, 2019 
As PMI Global celebrates its 50th anniversary advocating, educating and creating community for project management professionals around the world, PMI Portland Chapter is throwing its own bash. On Thursday, October 24, join us from 5:00-8:00 pm at the Punchbowl Social Club in downtown Portland for an evening of food, drinks, games, karaoke and cake! There will be bowling, darts, karaoke room, video games, pinball, and ping pong for you to enjoy.

In a special “shout out thank you,” anyone who volunteered with PMI Portland Chapter between August 2018 and September 2019 can attend for free! Your Portfolio leader will have a discount code for registration available to you beginning Oct. 11.

Members who haven’t volunteered can still join us for a very minimal cost ($10 per person). All are welcome to bring guests, also at $10 per person. Attendance is limited to 150 people. Register now.

Winterhawks Veteran’s Salute & Networking Event | November 9, 2019
PMI Portland is hosting a networking event in concert with the Portland Winterhawks’ Veteran Salute match against rival Vancouver Giants on November 9th. The Chapter’s Outreach team has designed new programming to honor veterans, engage potential PMI members, and foster relationship building. The hockey game is one of a number of new opportunities being created to share food, socialize and learn more from each other about our industry.

As a veteran-friendly organization, PMI serves those who have served us. Through our new military outreach efforts, PMI Portland will aid veterans with translating their military experience into opportunities such as professional certification and jobs through mentorship, training and networking events like this.

Spread the word! We’ll start the evening at 5 pm in a private suite with hors d’oeuvres and social time before moving to the club level in time for puck drop. This opportunity is open to veterans and non-veterans interested in joining PMI as well as PMI Portland members, and guests. Two tickets max per person. Tickets cost $15 and a charitable donation to the NW USO is suggested (https://northwest.uso.org/portland). If you are purchasing more than one ticket, utilize the “group registration” button. Space is limited; register today!

Chapter Event Calendar 

COMMUNITY

PMI Portland Nomination for Featured Leadership Profile

Are you or someone you know interested in being interviewed for the PMI Portland newsletter leadership profile? To nominate yourself or a colleague for consideration, please contact us at content@pmi-portland.org with a few details about your nominee.

Chapter is Looking for a Few Good Mentees

PMI Portland is one of many chapters throughout the nation that offers a mentoring program for its members. The mutually-beneficial connection matches experienced project managers with those new or newer to the profession to develop tools and knowledge that will enhance their skills applicable to the industry.

Portland’s Mentor Program has several options to choose from: 1) a basic project management career and problem-solving level; 2) a portfolio/program management level designed to help more experienced PMs move toward PMO work or managing a portfolio of projects; and 3) a level specifically created to connect military veterans with PM training gained during their service with those already practicing project management. Each option offers a wealth of benefits. Check out our Mentoring webpage for more details. Applications for both Mentees are due by November 1, 2019.

MORE TO EXPLORE

• Join PMI Portland Chapter
• Chapter Leadership
• New Certifications
• Become a Chapter Sponsor

• Chapter Social Media
• Contribute to the Newsletter
• Newsletter Archive
• Newsletter Article Archive

CHAPTER SPONSORS

September
2019

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Chapter President Penelope Luedtke, PMP

Hello Members!

Welcome to the start of our PMI Portland Chapter year!

I am super excited to hit the GO button on this year. It seems like forever since I started this whole "President" thing. I've been so busy working with volunteers on the Annual Conference (more on that tomorrow!), and with the Board on our Strategic Plan, now we finally get to DO!

This year PMI Global is moving its strategic focus to the individual. We're looking closely at the needs of two kinds of individuals. The "Seasoned Pro" is a person looking to hone their skills for future opportunities in their project management career. The "Next Gen PM" is a person looking to learn the language of project management and start their career. This year, the Board plans to learn more about our members. Are they Seasoned Pros? Are they Next Gen PMs? Are these even valid labels? What do members want and need from this chapter? How can we provide more value and be more relevant to more project managers? These are the core questions the Board will be asking members like you - we want to make sure we get it right.

Another focus is on building partnerships with other organizations to expand our available resources. Understanding who has a meeting room we can use for a Westside workshop, for example, can provide a closer venue to members and an opportunity that might not have existed before. What does the PMI Portland Chapter offer to partner organizations in return? We can assist them with project management coaching and mentorship. We are here to advocate for project management - what better way to do that than demonstrate how it works?

Once we understand who our members are, and what they want from us as an organization, we can start building relationships with organizations to provide the services and opportunities you want and enjoy.

One thing we've heard from members is a desire for more dynamic chapter dinner meetings. We've heard your request, and this month the September meeting is changing things up. I hope you'll join us for a panel event of project management professionals discussing "How to Lead in Chaos." These are real project managers, speaking about real life. If you aren't surrounded by occasional chaos every once in a while, you've got it more figured out than I do!

I look forward to seeing you there,

Penelope Luedtke, PMP
President, PMI Portland Chapter

“Start by doing what is necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” - St Francis of Assisi

ARTICLES

TIME for a Round-Up

By Reni Towns, PMP

For the past several months, our newsletter has focused on the theme of the 2019 Annual Conference, TIME: Talent, Inspiration, Motivation, and Emotional Intelligence. Let’s take a moment to look back at past content with this round up of top TIME tips for project managers.

The TIME theme was kicked off in the March newsletter, which covered managing projects across time zones. Top tips included leveraging technology to communicate and collaborate while incorporating team bonding activities such as in-person kick-off meetings or team dinners.

In April, we focused on talent growth through career development beyond project management. There were ideas for new project managers to learn more in their current roles, as well as for more experienced project managers to advance to new positions, such as program manager or Chief of Staff.

By May, we reviewed strategies for finding inspiration. Since many project managers have found themselves aligned to dull projects, we suggested several skills and techniques to spark excitement. Additionally, we identified inspirational options outside of work, including personal wellness habits and vacation time to avoid burnout.

Motivating team members, a critical responsibility for all project managers, was a key subject of the June newsletter. Motivation can be a challenge without direct reporting relationships and the ability to give raises, so we shared creative and personal options for keeping a team working hard, such as treating colleagues to coffee or wrapping up early on Fridays.

Finally, with summer in full swing in July, we turned to emotional intelligence. We considered ways to flex your EQ, including leveraging the power of optimism. Did you know 90% of all high performers have high EQ? That makes emotional intelligence a critical leadership skill to hone and harness.

Looking back, there was a lot of great newsletter content across the themes of talent, inspiration, motivation and emotional intelligence, yet it really was just the tip of the iceberg.

For more in-depth learning and a chance to network with local project management professionals, attend our 2019 Annual Conference on September 20. The conference features 16 sessions including “Package Yourself for Success,” and “Embracing an Agile Mindset,” with all topics aligning to PMI's focus on strategy, leadership, program and portfolio management, and tools and techniques. In addition to the workshops, we'll mix in plenty of networking opportunities. We hope to see you there!.

Marli Williams Wants to Help You Activate Your Leadership Potential

By Rachel Crane, PMP

“I aim to ignite the leader within, helping people to activate that place inside of them.”

This statement, from Marli Williams, M.Ed., is the key to her purpose-driven path. A Portland-based leadership trainer, educational speaker, career coach, and PMI Portland 2019 Annual Conference speaker, her mission is to help people unlock their personal power.

“Knowing what drives, inspires and motivates us allows us to unlock our purpose,” Williams explains. “When we’re living our purpose, we have more energy. When we have more energy, we can work better and be happier.”

Her path to help people achieve their full potential was shaped by a formative experience with an outdoor education program. When Williams was 19, she went on a 15-day Outward Bound course. Describing the event as life-changing, she notes it helped her realize her potential, adding, “my goal became to help other people realize theirs.”

Williams pursued a professional path in outdoor education and earned two education degrees before shifting her foray into personal and professional development coaching, leadership training, and facilitating.

“I tell people I have a degree in being a professional camp counselor,” Williams says, highlighting that her professional and educational background helped her to develop into the leader that she is today.

As a dynamic changemaker and facilitator, Williams is enthusiastic about presenting at this year’s PMI Portland Annual Conference, where she’ll lead a breakout session and the closing keynote presentation.

In her breakout session, Activate Your Purpose, Williams will facilitate an interactive exercise “to help people discover and uncover their unique leadership purpose.” During the session, participants will clarify their vision, strengths and desired impact by identifying specific steps they can take to convert knowledge into action.

The title of Williams’ closing keynote speech is Lead the Way; it will focus on leadership skills for empowerment, inspiration, and motivation. The crux of the presentation involves demonstrating how to “lead yourself and become a model for other people, how to redefine leadership, and how to keep the commitment to show up as a leader even when it’s hard.”

Zeroing in on the relationship between leadership and project management, Williams says, “I see project managers as leaders. People come to you because you work with all the moving parts and you’re the one needed to make the project successful. It’s not just project management, it’s project leadership.”

Finally, when asked what she hopes Annual Conference participants will take away from her sessions, Williams says, “you will walk away seeing yourself as leaders and knowing what leadership means to you...you’re a leader because you’ve decided to be, and you can lead from anywhere.”

Have Knowledge to Share?

Submit an article -- or share an idea -- by sending an email to Director of Content Marketing.  

EVENTS

Chapter Meetings

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” – Anthony J. D'Angelo

Chapter Meeting | September 10, 2019

The PMI Portland Chapter offers certification prep courses for project leaders ready to become Project Management Professionals (PMP), individuals looking to establish credibility in the application of project management processes as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and Agile professionals looking for formal recognition with the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) credential.

PMI-ACP Exam Prep Course | October 12, 19, and 26, 2019
Prepare for Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) certification through the PMI Portland Chapter. ACP is a recent and progressive certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) and it “sets the bar” for agile project professionals! Three Saturdays, October 12, 19, and 26, 2019, from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Click here to find out more.

PMI Portland Annual Conference | September 20, 2019
Portland Chapter’s 2019 Annual Conference will be here before you know it. This year’s conference, held at the Oregon Convention Center, is shaping up in exciting ways.

The PMI Portland Annual Conference has provided premier educational experiences for Project Management in the Portland region for the past 18 years. This year, with a theme focusing on TIME: Talent, Motivation, Inspiration and Emotional Intelligence, we’re looking to bring the best and brightest in the profession together to expand our knowledge, make connections, and elevate our industry to new heights. IMPORTANT! Late registration starts on September 7th. Adds $100 to your price, REGARDLESS of membership status. Register before 9/7/2019 to avoid the late fee.

Visit Annual Conference 2019 for more information. 
Individual Registration | Group Registration

Roundtables

PMI hosts various roundtables across the metro area. Roundtables are a great way to get connect, earn PDUs and guidance on project issues from fellow PMs. Click here  to learn more about roundtables and find the one closest you.

Chapter Event Calendar 

COMMUNITY

PMI Portland Nomination for Featured Leadership Profile

Are you or someone you know interested in being interviewed for the PMI Portland newsletter leadership profile? To nominate yourself or a colleague for consideration, please contact us at content@pmi-portland.org with a few details about your nominee.

Invitation to Participate in a Global Research Study: Enablers and Outcomes of PMO Success

The purpose of this global research is to learn about the enablers and outcomes of PMO success. Continue with the survey if you have been involved with a PMO in any capacity (Director, Manager, Analyst, etc). Answers are based on recent experience with the PMO in your organization within the last 12 months. The questionnaire takes 15‐20 minutes to complete.
https://www.umfrageonline.com/s/PMOSuccess

This information will be used in doctoral research leading to developing a better understanding of what constitutes PMO success, the enabling factors and outcomes. Participation in this survey is voluntary and all opinions will be kept anonymous. You can choose to provide your email address if you wish to receive the results of the research. The research is administered by Peter Kaul, DBAc., MBA, MSc., PMP, SKEMA Business School, Lille, France. 

MORE TO EXPLORE

• Join PMI Portland Chapter
• Chapter Leadership
• New Certifications
• Become a Chapter Sponsor

• Chapter Social Media
• Contribute to the Newsletter
• Newsletter Archive
• Newsletter Article Archive

July
2019

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Chapter President Penelope Luedtke, PMP

“If your emotional abilities aren’t in hand, if you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.” – Daniel Goleman

Hello Chapter Members!

They say to grow, you need to operate outside your comfort zone, and boy let me tell you, being the leader of this chapter is anxiety-inducing. If there ever was a time to doubt myself and my abilities, this would be it.

But curiously, I find myself very calm. Perhaps it is because I know I am surrounded by supportive, engaged Board Members that have my back. Perhaps it is because I’ve worked with PMI Global long enough to know there are staff and resources aplenty that have my back. I’ve been involved enough and have met enough of you in person, to know YOU have my back!

We’re all project managers, we all want the best result and we all strive to do the best we can with what we have. We all have EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. It is the trait that makes us excellent project managers. I know this about you, our members, and I know that you will allow me to lead authentically and genuinely from my best intentions.

If you don’t know about emotional intelligence and need more training on this topic, the 2019 PMI Portland Chapter Annual Conference is a great opportunity for you. Our conference theme of Talent, Inspiration, Motivation and Emotional Intelligence (TIME) brings you a valuable event with relevant sessions. We have a great team of volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes to deliver a day of learning and sharing. This is an opportunity to meet over 400 of your industry peers, gain professional development units (PDUs) and take a day to recharge and refresh with the energy and enthusiasm of our top-notch speakers.

I’d like to thank all the volunteers working on the Annual Conference. I want to publicly recognize all the folks taking time out of their lives to plan this premier event: Sandra Koelle, Akilah Johnson, Yolanda Karp, Kyle Townsend, Stacey Jannsen, Jacob Zych, Scott White, Natalee Webb, Tim Booher, Jesse Boydstun, and Rasha Kroonen.

Sincerely,

Penelope Luedtke, PMP
President, PMI Portland Chapter

The new PMI Portland Chapter Board of Directors, Assistant VPs and Directors:

ARTICLES

Chapter members, please note; there will be no PMI Portland Chapter newsletter release for August 2019. Newsletters will resume in the Fall starting September 2019.
– Paul V. Mai, MBA, PMP | Asst VP of Marketing Communications & Interim Director of Newsletter

Flex Your EQ

By Reni Towns, PMP

If you wanted to improve muscle tone, you would hit the gym a few days a week and lift weights. You might work with a trainer or even a friend to help you develop a strength training plan. Your workout buddy could give you feedback on your form, and it could be helpful for you to shadow their workouts. After a few weeks or months, if you are focused and consistent, you should see the physical results to your physique. Have you considered leveraging similar strategies to strengthen your EQ?

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) represents a person’s ability to recognize and manage their own emotions and leveraging that self-actualization to develop relationships with others. EQ is a top indicator of successful leaders. According to TalentSmart, a provider of emotional intelligence assessment and training, 90% of high performers at work have a high EQ, while 80% of poor performers have low EQ.

Bottom line – emotional intelligence is a critical leadership skill, especially for project managers who need to work with a wide range of people and personalities to achieve project success. Let’s review a few tactical ways you can flex and grow your EQ.

First, improve your self-awareness, or your ability to understand how your moods and emotions impact other people. Consider how your negative emotions like frustration and disengagement impact your team or your boss. Recall a stressful time at work and ask for feedback from those who were working alongside you. Did your reaction impact your team?

Next, try to self-regulate. One easy way to do this is to pause before firing off an angry email. Wait a few hours before responding. Hold back a snarky comment at a meeting and follow up with a less emotional one-on-one conversation later in the day.

Become the office optimist. Focus on staying positive, especially when interacting with your team. If you catch yourself complaining – stop it. People find optimism more energizing and motivating. While it's difficult to receive criticism, don’t be offended. Turn it into a learning opportunity.

Finally, show empathy by responding appropriately to the emotions of others. If a team member is reacting emotionally to a decision, figure out why. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and verbally acknowledge the other person’s feelings and point of view.

Increasing your EQ takes time and practice. It requires introspection. You will need honest feedback along the way from people you trust. It is like doing bicep curls to increase upper body strength, your EQ fitness will improve with repetition, coaching, and dedication.

“Let's Be Human To Each Other:” Emerging Leader Liz Lockhart Shares Her Professional Journey and Perspectives for Effectiveness

By Rachel Crane, PMP

The running question you can't help but think when speaking to Liz Lockhart is one that reveals what makes her so striking: Does this woman ever sleep?

A renaissance woman, Lockhart is a Director of PMO, Adjunct Professor, business consultant, volunteer, and mentor—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Lockhart developed a strong work ethic and business acumen early on by working in her family’s online business.

“I’ve been answering phones and taking orders since age 12 and managing people since I was 16.”

When growing up in a family business, Lockhart says, “You learn there’s no one else to solve your problem. You have to figure it out.” She stresses that her early experiences taught her how to “work with people, collaborate, and break through blockers—inspiring confidence that anything is possible.”

Lockhart attended the University of Portland, studying Operations and Technology Management while holding two jobs. She also took a three-year stint teaching leadership to high school students in a summer camp environment. This role, she says, “is what I would consider the foundation of everything I’ve done since.”

Lockhart’s career started in a service desk role; this quickly led to a role in technology procurement, where she facilitated mergers and acquisitions, optimized spending and promoted change management. Next, while working through an MBA program, Lockhart joined Smarsh, delivering a large customer-facing email migration that demonstrated her ability to execute complex technical projects. As Lockhart’s role expanded, she established and began leading Smarsh’s PMO.

“Our PMO is rooted in agile principles,” says Lockhart. “Through putting people first, seeking to understand, and having the ability to run the experiment or fail fast, we’ve been able to execute transparently and change as needed. Our PMO serves as connective tissue between departments and groups.”

Asked her perspective on what makes a project manager effective, Lockhart focuses on the importance of communication.

“Our superpower is connecting people in productive ways, asking good questions, seeking to understand, and communicating—the number one project management competency.”

Speaking of her near-term goals and five-year plan, Lockhart is laser-focused on what comes next.

“At Smarsh, my next goal is Senior Director or VP, leading our larger PMO activities and diving in with key strategists. I will also continue teaching and aim to expand my course offering to additional universities.”

Lockhart highlights her desire to advance her engagements in mentorship, volunteer, and consulting relationships, saying, “There is value in offering and receiving help…Learning from each other is something we don’t do enough.”

Discussing how to grow and thrive in project management, Lockhart appeals to her set of core tenets: “Let’s be human to each other, understand that collaboration is key, seek to understand, and know that servant leadership is essential. Don’t be afraid to fail fast. Be the person your dog thinks you are and meet your stakeholders where they are. Be easy, life is hard enough.”

Building Emotional Intelligence Boosts Leadership Effectiveness

By Florence Gerber, MBA (Mariano and Associates, LLC)

Emotions are innate, originating in the nervous system as a reaction to our environment. (Though the words emotion and feeling are often used interchangeably, feelings arise from the part of the brain linked to reasoning and function to make sense of situations using past experiences and reactions to emotions.)

Famed professor of psychiatry Robert Plutchik, Ph.D., studied emotions and came up with eight primary ones, each a polar opposite of another. 

• Trust: Disgust
• Joy: Sadness
• Fear: Anger
• Surprise: Anticipation

As Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions (see image) demonstrates, the intensity of emotions spreads from highest at the center to most diluted at the outside. The circle also depicts (between the petals) how primary emotions combine to form new ones. For example, Plutchik argued that Trust + Fear = Submission, and Anticipation + Anger = Aggression. Similarly, Disgust + Anger = Contempt, and Surprise + Sadness = Disapproval.

We’ve all seen these types of complex emotions play out in professional settings. Building our emotional intelligence can teach us how to react to, counter, and even leverage these emotions to harness positive results.

Since emotions drive human behavior, understanding your own emotions and any behavior derived from them―as well as those of team members―can help guide decision-making and how you can facilitate interactions as a project manager.

Using Plutchnik’s Wheel, project managers can heighten their emotional intelligence by consciously identifying their own emotions in a variety of environments (e.g., notice you get irritable when a teammate is consistently late for meetings). Pay attention to your own behavior in light of that irritation. Does your reaction then impact the meetings?

Building emotional intelligence takes practice. First, work on yourself, then apply your advanced consciousness to others when you interact. Is their behavior tinged with emotion? If so, what might be driving it?

Intentionally paying attention to emotions, reactions and their possible sources of origin, can help you become a better leader who helps build positive changes for better results.

Have Knowledge to Share?

Submit an article -- or share an idea -- by sending an email to Director of Content Marketing.  

EVENTS

Chapter Meetings

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” – Anthony J. D'Angelo

The PMI Portland Chapter offers certification prep courses for project leaders ready to become Project Management Professionals (PMP), individuals looking to establish credibility in the application of project management processes as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and Agile professionals looking for formal recognition with the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) credential.

PMI-ACP Exam Prep Course | October 12, 19, and 26, 2019
Prepare for Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) certification through the PMI Portland Chapter. ACP is a recent and progressive certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) and it “sets the bar” for agile project professionals! Three Saturdays, October 12, 19, and 26, 2019, from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Click here to find out more.

PMI Portland Annual Conference | September 20, 2019
Portland Chapter’s 2019 Annual Conference will be here before you know it. This year’s conference, held at the Oregon Convention Center, is shaping up in exciting ways.

The PMI Portland Annual Conference has provided premier educational experiences for Project Management in the Portland region for the past 18 years. This year, with a theme focusing on TIME: Talent, Motivation, Inspiration and Emotional Intelligence, we’re looking to bring the best and brightest in the profession together to expand our knowledge, make connections, and elevate our industry to new heights.

Visit Annual Conference 2019 for more information. Save and sign up early!
Individual Registration | Group Registration

Roundtables

PMI hosts various roundtables across the metro area. Roundtables are a great way to get connect, earn PDUs and guidance on project issues from fellow PMs. Click here  to learn more about roundtables and find the one closest you.

Chapter Event Calendar 

COMMUNITY

PMI Portland Nomination for Featured Leadership Profile

Are you or someone you know interested in being interviewed for the PMI Portland newsletter leadership profile? To nominate yourself or a colleague for consideration, please contact us at content@pmi-portland.org with a few details about your nominee.

Giving Back with the PMI Portland Outreach Team

By Angie Eastman, Asst Military Liaison, Meei Lum, Asst Dir of Associations, Kim Geist, Asst VP of Outreach, and Jennifer Whybra-Ucar, VP of Outreach

Many thanks to all who responded to the Outreach Team’s “Call to Action” in the June newsletter for the community service initiative. As a result, the team has been lining up non-profits and participants for the pilot program launching this fall.

Here are three additional volunteer opportunities that may be of interest:

Remote Area Medical (RAM) is a nonprofit working to prevent pain and ease suffering by providing free quality healthcare to those in need. Angie Eastman is a core volunteer and travels several times a year to run the vision lab during medical outreach missions. Earlier this year Angie worked with RAM in partnership with the Salvation Army and US Public Health Service in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The next West Coast volunteer opportunities are available this fall (October and November) in Nevada and California. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation and lodging.

If interested in learning more about RAM, email Angie Eastman at asst_military_liaison@pmi-portland.org.

The Columbia Slough Watershed Council (CSWC) is a diverse group of neighbors, property owners, businesses, environmental groups, recreation advocates, and government agencies who work to restore and enhance the sixty miles of waterways known as the Columbia Slough. The CSWC organizes several events that need volunteer support:

• The Great Slough Clean Up on Saturday, July 20, 9am-1pm
  Join the council for the annual trash-hauling extravaganza! After the clean up there will be a cookout at Whitaker Ponds featuring free food, beer, and prizes. This event is for volunteers age 14 and up.
  
  
• 24th Annual Columbia Slough Regatta on Sunday, August 11, 10am-2pm
  This is a fun excursion for experienced and novice paddlers alike. The Regatta features complimentary 45-minute canoe and kayak rentals (all equipment provided) for registered attendees. Participants can also visit with local environmental and water-based organizations and enjoy hands-on nature activities, live music, and guided tours. Free t-shirts and refreshments provided while supplies last.
  
  
• Stewardship Program from Fall 2019 through Spring 2020
  This program is dedicated to improving watershed health. Stewardship Saturdays are morning work parties in local parks and natural spaces. Activities range from invasive species removal to litter pick up, native plant planting, and more. Tools and training provided. No experience is necessary.

If you are interested in volunteering for CSWC with other PMI members, contact Meei Lum via vp_outreach@pmi-portland.org.

In4All is a nonprofit that unites educators and businesses to support historically under-served students during their K-12 education. On June 7, Outreach Team members Brooks Dahmen and Kim Geist took part as judges in the Design Thinking Student Showcase at the State Capitol building. This event marked an exciting achievement for In4All middle school students, as they presented their final projects integrating math, science, sensitive community issues, analytical problem-solving, practical planning, and teamwork. In September, new students will begin the eight-session program with volunteers from PMI and the community.

Contact Brooks Dahmen at association_outreach@pmi-portland.org for more information about working with In4All.

MORE TO EXPLORE

• Join PMI Portland Chapter
• Chapter Leadership
• New Certifications
• Become a Chapter Sponsor

• Chapter Social Media
• Contribute to the Newsletter
• Newsletter Archive
• Newsletter Article Archive

CHAPTER SPONSORS