Following the Chapter AGM in November we have a new committee in place for the year ahead. Some familiar and some new faces. I would like to extend the Chapter’s thanks to everyone who volunteered and has agreed to offer up their time to get involved
I’d also like to take this opportunity to say a big thanks to the outgoing committee members and especially to my predecessor Colum Horgan for the advances he oversaw while President. During his tenure the Chapter improved internal processes and policies and continued to move towards a more professional member-focused organisation. We passed a major milestone this year when the Ireland Chapter exceeded the 1,000 member mark for the first time. For our population the Ireland Chapter is one of the largest Chapters within the PMI worldwide. Colum is now stepping down and taking on the role of past President.
Looking ahead to 2014 the Chapter has some ambitious plans. I’ve outlined some of the key initiatives we are looking to deliver below.
1. The Chapter’s bi-annual conference is on this April 10th in the Aviva. We are in the final stages of identifying and scheduling speakers. The conference will be built around the theme of “Making Strategy Come True”. The event will be focused of delivering relevant, practical and thought provoking content; with speakers from the project, business and political arenas. Discover the early bird special offers available now
2. The Chapter is looking to build on the success of the ‘Skills for Life’ programme run by other Chapters and successfully delivered by Dell and Chapter members from the Regional team, during the year, and extend it into other voluntary and community organisations across the country. We are also planning to run a programme with transition year students, in one school initially, and if successful look to expand the programme into multiple schools.
3. A core objective for next year will be to build on the advances we have made in making the Chapter and the PMI the voice of project management in Ireland. To this end we will be actively marketing and promoting the Chapter in mainstream media, including for the first time running paid for advertisements and accompanying editorials. We will look to position the Chapter as the ‘go to authority’ on matters related to project management. In doing so we will raise the profile and value of the project management profession, and of you our members.
4. The Chapter will continue to run a full events programme across the 12 months in Dublin and nationally, with a mixture of presenter, panel and workshop sessions. Remember if you are looking for PDUs, attending Chapter events is the easiest way to obtain them with the added bonus of networking with other project professionals.
Next year promises to be another very active year for the Chapter. I look forward to meeting you at the conference and the regular Chapter events.
Have a great Christmas and best wishes for 2014.
Ronan Foley, President of Ireland Chapter of PMI
