by Tom Vanderheiden, PMP, Vice Chair Communications

The A&D SIG Board of Directors is in the process of updating the SIG's Bylaws, Operations/Business Plan and Strategic Plan. In order to improve member benefits, and as a response to recommended actions by the VCP, we need your input to help define and prioritize planned member benefit improvements.

A&D SIG members will be requested, and strongly encouraged, to complete a survey that will be included in the January Online Bulletin. Member input will facilitate our efforts to make A&D SIG membership a significant value to all members. The survey will also include a poll requesting member preference regarding the three organizational models that have been defined by the VCP. Please recognize that your indication of a preference of a model is critical to helping us determine the future of the A&D SIG. For more information on the three Model definitions, please access the “VCP presentation link above.

Only Model 1, which is the model that most closely defines the existing SIG structure, will:

• Involve maintaining a high level of autonomy (governance as a PMI sanctioned corporation).
• Be governed by SIG member elected officers and as supported by volunteers.
• Be open to PMI members and may be open to Non PMI members. Non PMI members would be considered nonvoting visitors with no access to PMI staff managed services or products.
• Determined dues and fees collections will go to the SIG and be managed by the SIG.
• Be self governed and self funded with minor yet undefined support from PMI staff.
• Be capable of being recognized by PMI as a licensed R.E.P. in delivery of PM training.
• Both Model 2 and Model 3 structures will be governed by PMI staff selected committees.

Please recognize that implementing significant benefit improvements will require an increase in the need for volunteer support. A recent BoD meeting provided for the approval of adding the position of "Director of Volunteers" and Hurel Johnson (PMP, MPM, MBA, BSEE) has been appointed to that position. Hurel has over ten years experience as a Systems Engineer/Staff Manager in the private sector and five years as a Field Grade Officer in the US Army. He will be retiring from his active Army service and will be rejoining the A&D private sector in early 2008. He is anxious to support the PM profession as an A&D SIG Director.

As a token of the A&D SIG's appreciation for your participation in the SIG, we would like to send you a lapel pin. We encourage all members to wear the pin at PMI® chapter and international events and to look for, and network with, other A&D SIG members wearing their pins. Show your pride in the A&D SIG!

Request an A&D SIG pin
Be sure to include your mailing address.

Presenting a topic at a PMI Congress offers you the opportunity to share your ideas, experiences, and lessons learned from your own projects with other project managers. The North America Congress will be held in Denver Colorado in October and the Latin America Congress will be held in Sao Paolo, Brazil in August. Each will draw individuals from throughout the region and will build on the success of the previous
events.

To enter your submission, please visit http://congresses.pmi.org/introduction.cfm. Please review the information as requirements have changed. If you have any questions, please contact congressspeakers@pmi.org.

©2007 PMI Aerospace and Defense Specific Interest Group