PM Proverb

A witty and/or /"heavy" quote related to any aspect of PM ("What is not on paper has not been said"; "The walls have ears", etc.) in a pull-out box with bold text. In smaller print at the bottom of the box will be text saying something like "…submit your own proverb (25 words or less)…send to…"

In Any Issue When Available

Member Opinion

An opportunity for chapter members to sound off on what they like - and don't like - about PMI, the profession, colleagues, customers and careers. Submissions will be edited for content, clarity, cleanliness and tone and will be limited to 250 - 300 words.

Special Features

Custom-written features about critical events and circumstances within the Dayton/Miami Valley Chapter of PMI. We will also attempt to get these pieces published in PMI Today, the official newspaper of PMI

• Jan/Feb/Mar - TechFest 2004 - Chapter's role in implementing the project and in "sustaining the profession"; significance with Centennial of Flight and 200th Anniversary of Ohio Statehood

• April/May/June - International Board of Directors: Short interviews with Jim Gallagher, Debbie Miersma and Karen Tate, covering the angle that 20% of the worldwide PMI Board hails from Southwest Ohio; our role in developing leaders; past president Kent Crawford from SW Ohio; Hugh Woodward, too.

• Other Possibilities:
  • Low PMP Numbers ("Who's the Lowest of the Low?") - the 5 chapter members with the lowest PMP numbers; how they got interested and certified so early
  • TASC Connection: TASC's role in getting PMI integrated into the Miami Valley; Dayton's role in populating SW Ohio Membership, getting staff certified; past president Kent Crawford from TASC
  • Any "related interest" stories where something happening in the area relates to PM (i.e. Centennial of Flight, 200th anniversary of Ohio Statehood, Schuster Center Construction, etc.)
  • Interviews with PMI HQ staff - Component Leadership, Certification, Membership, etc. - the people that drive policy and process worldwide can address the issues (good and bad) faced by our own chapter members

Upcoming Events

A roundup of nearby PD Days and special events that will get our members PDUs. We'll regularly check websites for all of Ohio, Indianapolis, Louisville and Lexington for these kinds of offerings.

Committee Updates

What's going on within the committees, what committees are "gearing up" and need volunteers (this will always be accompanied by the PDUs members will earn by participating) and "lessons learned" by each committee after the project ends. This can be included in the Officer article if it is applicable, if not then being separate is a great idea to get what committees are doing out in the open.

Member Spotlight

Individual members can write about their PM experiences or could create "How To" features based on their own work ("10 Steps to Better Project Plans", "14 Ways to Control Costs", etc.) If the article conforms to existing guidelines it will qualify for PDUs.

Region 4 Roundup

Article written by the Region 4 Representative to highlight any item or opinion desired. This could include a specific Chapter's work or accomplishments; highlights from a Region meeting, or an editorial on what the Representative would like to see happen: more chapter communication, better cooperation, etc.

Reader Survey Articles

Working with the VP of Membership, we can put out surveys (via Zoomerang) asking what people think about certain parts Project Management, PMI, trends and issues, etc. We'll use this to create material and (we hope) to generate interest and response from the readership.

Reader Questions

Any member can ask "How can I…" (deal with a jerk team member, get my project funded, etc.) via the newsletter and in subsequent issues we can post answers. This allows members to tap the expertise available within the chapter and (we hope) will generate response and input among the readership.

Project Reporters

We hope to identify members willing to report on two things: major projects in our area (two recent examples are Fifth/Third Field and the Schuster Center) and major area employers (NCR, Lexis-Nexis, Reynolds and Reynolds, etc.)

Major projects would feature regular interviews with the PM, major stakeholders and even photos showing ongoing progress. Company reports could highlight PM activities within the firms: completion of major projects, members receiving awards and/or promotion, training initiatives, etc.

Major Awards

The chapter is involved in several award ceremonies each year: the AFIT Thesis Award and the ASC SY System Management Award are two, as well as the awards given by the Affiliate Societies Council. Coverage of these, including photographs, is needed for newsletter publication.

Members can also contribute:

• Book / Article Reviews (add info/link/questions/guidelines on how to write book/article reviews)
• PM Tips &Tricks - these can be hints on software programs like MS Project or Excel, or they can be techniques for eliciting better requirements, handling conflict, etc.
• Humor - we can always use tasteful jokes, anecdotes, and cartoons (if original). We will accept stock photos or even photographs of our own members with humorous captions.

Photos and Graphics

We prefer .jpg, .tif, or .psd files that are at least 300dpi. We also accept .gif files in a lower resolution if they are very sharp and clear. Although we can scan in photos and prints, we prefer electronic files. If you provide us with photos or prints, please provide us with a self-addressed and stamped return envelope if you want them returned to you.

Mission Statement

THE CRITICAL PATH serves the membership of the Dayton / Miami Valley PMI Chapter by informing them of events, accomplishments, partnerships and opportunities that relate to Project Management in the local area. Its objectives are:

• to promote the profession of project management at the regional and local level

• to foster the education and professional development of the Chapter members

• to celebrate the achievements of chapter members and their projects

Members can submit any item for consideration for publication and are encouraged to send news, announcements, accomplishments and articles. The VP of Communications has the right to accept, reject, edit or modify any submission.

Guidelines for Writing for The Critical Path as a Way to Get PDUs:

• Any article submitted for PDUs must cover at least one of the PMBOK areas or must be related to at least one PMBOK area. For example, an article titled "Techniques for Handling Conflict" would be relevant to the Communications section of the PMBOK.
• Any article written for PDUs should be of reasonable length (minimum of 500 words). Our Page 1 feature runs 425 - 450 words and we average 450 words per one newsletter page.
• Have at least one outside source: a book, magazine article, or quotes from a subject matter expert.
• Write for our audience - Dayton and Miami Valley project managers.