Making the Magic Happen: Volunteering at the AC
by Penelope Luedtke. Dir. of Volunteer Recognition
Many PMPs attend the Annual Conference for PDUs, the continuing education credits for PMP certification. The Conference is an excellent opportunity to learn about new project management tools, develop skills in leadership and network with peers.
But I don’t just attend the Annual Conference – I, and over forty other volunteers, make the Annual Conference happen. Check out the list below.
Volunteering at the Annual Conference provides me three things:
- Builds a stronger relationship with the Chapter
- Gives me opportunities to learn
- Gives me a feeling of accomplishment
This is the way I see it: As a PMP, the stronger my relationship with the Chapter, the more I get out of it. The Chapter exists to provide services and value to its members. I’m part of a larger effort to add value to the Annual Conference and I appreciate the chance to be a part of it. The more connections and relationships I build within the Chapter, the more opportunity I have to relate my work and experience to the profession, the more I gain in knowledge and insight into being a better project manager.
Being a volunteer at the Annual Conference doesn’t mean missing out on learning. I was able to attend the keynote speaker sessions, the breakout sessions and the panel events. I would say that maybe I was even more engaged seeing as how I had to be paying attention for when people needed the microphone!
On the second day of the conference attendees participated in an “Open Meeting” session, something I’ve never participated in but I now realize its value. In the end, the feedback was very positive and I look forward to the Chapter holding more of these events in the future.
The feeling of accomplishment in helping deliver a successful Annual Conference is one I would not get anywhere else. I’m proud of the event we put on (other PMI organizations pay vendors to run theirs) and the positive feedback the Chapter has heard so far. Of course there are always improvements the Chapter can make in holding its conference – but if this one was that good – doesn’t it make you look forward to next year?
If you have an interest in volunteering during the 2017 Annual Conference, the Chapter is always looking for roles to fill. Put a little reminder on your calendar to check in for the volunteer call for 2017. You won’t regret it.
2016 Annual Conference Volunteers
Customer Experience Team
Hayli Hay
Melissa LaFrance
Tami Geiger
Leadership Team
Jean Richardson
Mark Saindon
Valerie D'Sa-Mayer
Marketing Team
Devdeep Aikath
Jimmy Godard
Jodi Weyrauch
Julie Gorham
Kaylan Adams
Layn Luedtke
Matt Hoffman
Sherry Morisch
Suzane Van Amburgh
Operations Team
Elizabeth Ray
Jani Hansen
Registration Team
Bette Clem
Brenda K. Hanke
Caesar Bernardo
David Tripp
Don Zook
Hedy Wells
Jessica B Stacy
Kate Miller
Ken Aust
Pat Mullany
Penelope Luedtke
Shannon Heizenrader
Speakers Team
Christa Laden
Christine Brautigam
Dale Crane
Deanna Golden
Julie Danko
Linda Read
Matt Dwyer
Mike McGowan
Oksana Fusselman
Sheila Moore
Tony Fischer
Sponsors Team
Lokesh Aggarwal
Steering Committee
Saby Waraich
Stephen Wilks
Titu Hariharan
Volunteers Team
Guilherme Furlan