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May 2026 #MOMENTUM
Your voice matters and you showed up in double the numbers from last year. YEAH! Thank you to all who participated in this year’s Board election. That same spirit shines through our volunteers. Heartfelt thanks to the Nomination & Election Committee team: Oliver Tuttle, Christopher Persaud, Sylvie Edwards, Melissa Lewis-Bakker, Timo Van Veen, and Shannon Bell, VP Admin & Governance, for their dedication and leadership. Let’s also warmly recognize Bola Otaraki, Director of Member Events, and the Events team for another successful year of PM Buzz programming filled with engaging speakers, energy, and member connections. Did you know that 2027 marks DHC’s 25 years as a PMI Chartered Chapter? Read more below from Julie Zabizewsky, DHC 25th Anniversary Project Manager. Finally, on June 21st, the PMI-DHC Trailblazer Team will participate in the Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women supporting the Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health, DHC’s selected charity partner. Join or support the team by clicking here! Here’s to finishing the season strong and inspired. See you on June 11th AGM & Social.
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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April 2026 #CONNECT
Growth doesn’t happen in isolation, it happens through connection, shared learning, and stepping beyond our immediate circles. As a Board, we continue to invest in our professional development while strengthening relationships across PMI Region 3, alongside fellow Chapter leaders. It’s also been a long time since MarCom was represented at these gatherings, making this year even more meaningful. Each year, we invite a volunteer and rising leader to join us. This year, we’re proud to recognize Geoffrey Rickard for his 8+ years of dedication to our Chapter. Geoff will be joining several Board members at the regional event in Regina, hosted by PMI South Saskatchewan. Congrats Geoff, a well-deserved opportunity to connect, learn, and bring fresh ideas back to DHC. As we look ahead, voting opens in early May for Board Directors. Your opportunity to shape the 2026–2027 Board is around the corner. Please take a moment to make your voice heard when you receive the email. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for our AGM on June 11, hosted at a new venue, The Lake House in Pickering, with 100 in-person spots available. I look forward to wrapping up the operational year with you.
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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March 2026 #REBLOOM
Spring invites us to shed old skin, take a breath, and reset. With a quarter of the year behind us, take a pause, where are we against the yardstick we set in January? Through it all, let’s not lose ourselves in the pace. Self-care matters. At our recent Board meeting check-in, we shared a Rose, Bud, Thorn with each other. Inspired by that spirit of reflection I offer you mine, what’s yours? Rose: Thank you to Heather Ricciuto our Director PD for stepping in as interim Director of MarCom and working with her team in keeping our membership informed and connected. Bud: Coffee Chats and Patio Takeover are brewing through collaboration between Nico Federico Dir. Member Care and Delroy Trowers Dir. Outreach. Thorn: Our payment system still needs attention; we’re working on it. In the meantime, you can pay for events by sending an e-transfer to [email protected]. With each season comes the chance to renew. Let’s keep planting seeds for what comes next.
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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February 2026 #DREAMBIG
With the Olympic spirit still in the air, we are reminded that project professionals are often quiet champions behind great performance. We orchestrate the play, recalibrate when conditions shift, and steer the team through steep slopes and unexpected moguls. The climb can be demanding, but when a project comes together, when the team crosses the finish line, the accomplishment is incredible. Dream big. Live balanced. Be inspired and inspiring. We want to express heartfelt appreciation to Becky Bockhop, who stepped into the Director of MarCom role nearly two years ago and has led our Chapter communications strategically while documenting processes, strengthening our brand image, and elevating our social presence. Thank you for your steady leadership. DHC’s Call for Nominations for elections launches soon. If you’ve ever considered serving on the Board, perhaps this is your stretch moment. Great things rarely happen inside comfort zones. Connect with any current or past Board member, we’d love the conversation. Let’s keep moving forward together. #DHCProud
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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January 2026 #BETHERIPPLE
A new year invites fresh energy, new perspectives, and exciting opportunities. Our PMI culture values are the heartbeat of everything we do. It’s not just what we deliver, but also how we show up for one another along the way. Each interaction creates a ripple. Through curiosity, generosity, and leadership, we influence more than we may realize. How will you show up this year? How will our values come to life through your actions and choices in your work and community? We’d love to hear from you, connect at [email protected] or engage via LinkedIn @PMI Durham Highlands Chapter. As our membership approaches an exciting milestone of 2,000 members, we warmly welcome both new and returning members alike. Reach out, come out, meet new faces, share your experience, and explore the new perks and offerings highlighted below. Here’s to shaping the year ahead together, with intention. #DHCProud
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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December 2025 #EQUANIMITY
The Board and I wish you safe, joyful, and restful holidays, whatever and however you choose to celebrate. This time of transition invites us all to pause, recharge, and reflect as we turn to a new calendar page towards 2026. Equanimity, my word for 2026, meeting life with calm, courage, balance, and perspective feels especially relevant as I look ahead. What will be your word, share it with us on LinkedIn @PMI Durham Highlands Chapter. It’s also a good moment to notice where we may get in our own way. If you’re curious, I invite you to explore the inner Saboteur self-assessment from Positive Intelligence and watch the TEDx of its founder on what it reveals about our patterns and choices. Here’s to reflection, renewal, and trying something new in the year ahead. #DHCProud
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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November 2025 #TRUTH
As the year winds down, it’s easy to stay caught up in the urgent. This season is a good time to pause and seek the truth about our work, our teams, and ourselves. The article “The Probability of Truth” reminds us that truth takes humility, curiosity, and courage to uncover. And speaking of truth, men’s health is one we don’t talk about nearly enough. Movember has grown from 30 Moustaches into a global movement funding 1,250+ projects. We’re #DHCProud to stand with the movement and encourage the conversations that can save lives all year long. That same spirit of openness is reflected in our own community. We’ve reached over 1,700 members with 80 per cent retention, a strong sign of our shared values and connections. Whether you’re new or not-so-new, join us at the December PM Buzz as we wrap up the year in style! #BeWelcoming
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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October 2025 WELLBEING
October reminds us of what truly matters: family, community, connection, and care. With World Mental Health Day earlier this month, it feels fitting to share that our members have selected Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences as DHC’s new charity partner. We’re proud to support their important work as you can read in the short feature below. We also extend heartfelt thanks to Mehul Davé for his service last year, and a warm welcome back to Delroy Trowers as our Director of Outreach. Delroy would love to hear from you! Is your organization interested in sponsorships, partnerships, or member perks? Let’s keep growing together. As we celebrated the month of Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for my health, for each of you and for the vibrant community we’re building together. #TogetherWeCan.
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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September 2025 #DHCPROUD
Fall always feels like a fresh start, a chance to reset before year-end. While we’ll miss those long summer days, the colours turning and energy of this season are inspiring. Equally inspiring, since March, 500 new members have joined our Chapter. Let’s celebrate YOU and extend the warmest welcome to all new members! We’d love to see you at an event or hear from you anytime by email or on social! Together, we’ve made a real impact through our Social Goodwill Charity initiative. Over the past two years, our PMI-DHC community raised and donated $7,300 to Feed the Need Durham. Thank you for your generosity. Don’t miss the announcement of our new charity partner at the October PM Buzz. And for those who like to stay up to date, the June AGM Minutes are now posted in the Members’ Area! See you soon!
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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August 2025 Welcome back!
I hope you had a wonderful summer, it sure flew by! As we gear up for an exciting fall, we’re looking forward to connecting, learning, and growing together as a community. I am privileged to serve as your President again this year alongside returning and new Board members. Before the season kicks into high gear, consider taking a few minutes for something we often put off: retirement planning. Whether it’s decades away or right around the corner, a little reflection now can go a long way later. Check out this article for ideas and tips. Here’s to a season full of fresh ideas, great conversations, and inspiring connections. I’m so glad we get to share this journey. See you soon,
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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June 2025 MAKE IT EASY
We were excited to announce sponsorships for two DHC volunteers to attend upcoming PMI events. Timo van Veen – Governance Nomination and Election Lead - will attend the R2R3 Regional Meeting for Chapter Leaders Development in Ottawa this August. Shayma Ivanko – PD Chair – will join Board Members at the 2025 PMI Global Summit in Phoenix AZ this November. Finally, recognizing Melissa Dowling with a gift card ‘for all that you do’. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! Shoutout to TTI for once again donating a Ryobi generator for our Charity draw prize. Thanks to the generosity of our members, and with the Board’s matching donation, we raised $1,260 for Feed the Need Durham, our chapter charity until August 31. #DHCPROUD. Thank you! This summer, we will be training, planning, budgeting and onboarding our newest Board Members Bola Otaraki and Nico Federico, as we prepare for the 2025-26 FY. We will aim to “prioritize the impacts that matter most and take the most direct route to it”.
Wishing you a fantastic summer, recharge and return re-ignited in September for “M.O.R.E” success and tons of new development opportunities with PMI DHC.
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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May 2025 BE WELCOMINGAt DHC, we aim to “create genuine belonging for all, because our differences make us stronger.” Since the start of the year, we’ve welcomed 267 new members to our chapter. This growth reflects the launch of PMI’s single membership model, which Canada is the second region in the world to adopt. If DHC is new to you, I encourage you to stay curious and come meet us, we’d love to connect.
Thank you to everyone who voted in this year’s Board Election. Your participation is vital to DHC’s governance, and we were thrilled to see a higher voter turnout this year. Let’s keep that momentum going! A big shoutout to Timo van Veen, who led the Nominations and Elections process, and to our MarCom Team for stellar communication support. Special thanks as well to Melissa Dowling, Delroy Trowers, and Mac (Doug) Wilson for serving on the interview panel. We're now just days away from this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), our final monthly event before the summer break. Join us in person at the beautiful Whitby Marina or virtually from wherever you are. Be sure to register by May 31 to enter the early bird $100 draw! The AGM is a chance to reflect on our accomplishments, celebrate member milestones, and recharge. Expect an inspiring speaker, fun networking (with a little friendly competition!), prizes, books, and a meaningful charity draw. It’s always a highlight and we hope to see you there on June 17. See you soon,
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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April 2025 TOGETHER WE CANAt DHC, we’re always seeking ways to better serve the PMI community. In the spirit of being open-minded, inquisitive and embracing opportunities to change, I invite you to reflect on two simple but powerful questions.
Do you like your job? What would your colleagues, employees or those you lead say? These questions echo a compelling idea from Simon Sinek, who asks, “How can we create an environment where people work at their natural best” (9 min video). It’s a question that gets to the heart of leading without authority, challenging yes, yet deeply rewarding. Being part of the PMI Global and DHC is incredibly fulfilling. Even in a strong community like ours, there are moments when I, and maybe you too, need a boost. If that resonates, I’d like to share something that’s inspired me lately: The Courageous Exchange Podcast by one of our own Deb Carville. It’s a safe space to reflect and experiment and grow. As we focus on growth and leadership, now is the time to help shape our Chapter’s future. April marks the close of the Board nominations. Watch your inbox in early May for your voting link, your voice matters. If this is your first DHC Newsletter, a warm welcome to you! We can’t wait to meet you at an upcoming Chapter event. See you soon,
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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March 2025 TOGETHER WE CANHave you noticed the energy ripple effect you create around you? Are you uplifting, or do you feel drained, absorbing the energy that surrounds you? As you navigate this, consider cultivating a state of equanimity – balancing your own energy amid the waves of life. This mindset of balance has been particularly valuable during our introspective first quarter as a Board. We’ve been immersed in strategic planning and chapter governance resulting in an inspiring 2025 plan that aligns with PMI’s global strategy while keeping our members at heart.
We worked hard and made sure to enjoy some creative and fun team building along the way. Our motto? Work hard, play always! A special shoutout to our VP Admin, Sylvie Edwards, who tirelessly ‘herds us cats’ and gets us across the finish line – not just on time but ahead of it! She makes it look easy (and we know it’s not). Thank you, Sylvie, for keeping us in good standing, leading the A/P and charter renewal. With the first month of PMI single membership behind us, I hope this March membership renewal was smooth. If this is your first DHC Newsletter – welcome! We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming Chapter event. Until we meet again, we as a Board will continue reflecting on how we embody PMI’s Culture values and the ripple effect we create in our community. Come tell us about yours. See you soon,
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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February 2025 Aim Higher
We are switching from ‘love is in the air…’ to ‘…elections everywhere I look around’. At DHC too there is a wind of elections. Starting in March new or returning board members will have the opportunity to submit their names to the Nomination & Elections Committee. To those stepping forward—thank you for the interest in joining the Board to “create the greatest impact for the PMI-DHC community”. More details coming soon! Staying on the Chapter governance thought, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work of Lori MacEachern, our VP of Finance. She recently led DHC’s annual financial review with thorough analysis, precision, insight and innovation. Lori’s behind-the-scenes dedication keeps us compliant, financially strong and positioned for long-term success. A heartfelt thank you to Lori for her vital contributions! And closing with your feedback, I am excited to share that the 2024 Membership Satisfaction results are in! With a 0.5% increase, we’ve reached 91.9% overall satisfaction—well above the global average. Thank you to all who participated! We’ll review the details and share more at the June AGM. This year, I’d love to boost survey awareness and participation. If you have ideas on how we can improve, reach out to me or any board member. See you soon,
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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January 2025 Make it Easy What do you want to create for yourself this year? What are your strategies to kick off the year with intention and stay on track? The possibilities are endless when we approach our desires and goals with clarity and purpose. Lean into our DHC community for support, inspiration and collaboration. Let’s make this year a transformative one – together! Check-out the amazing calendar of events put forward by our team. We committed to each other that “when things slow us down, we find a better way”. I’m reigniting that commitment as we prepare ourselves for the upcoming strategic plan review. We remain energized and focused on identifying and addressing areas for improvement, ensuring we continue to deliver value to our membership. Let’s discover together all the small yet mighty changes to come. May the year be a healthy one and bring you growth and fulfillment. May it be a year of connection, innovation and blessings. For me, I am sticking with the theme of last year, healthy balance. I hope to see you in great numbers at the next PM Buzz!
Mireille “M” Landry, MBA, PMP® |
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December 2024 Be Welcoming 2024 has been another remarkable year, thanks to the dedication and passion of our project management community. A vibrant team of volunteers, updated Charter and bylaw, insightful PD events, great speakers at the PMBuzz, Social Media followers increase and other sessions where we got to network and get to know each other are among some items to be proud of. We wrap it all up with the inspiring report from PMI, Maximizing Project Success, which provides valuable insights and a modern shared definition encompassing stakeholder value and focus on desired outcomes. Hear directly from Pierre Le Manh about creating this movement. I’m also energized by PMI’s new campaign, What Lights You Up. Have you seen it? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Whether you’d like to share a video or write a brief reflection, we welcome your input! Tag us #DHCProud and #PMIgnite. A special shout out to our lead Becky Bockhop and the MarCom team for updating our marketing materials with the new PMI branding, looking quite sharp don’t you think?! And more to come. As we head into the holiday season, let’s take time to recharge and celebrate our successes. Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy, joyful, and bright 2025. Let’s continue to make a difference together! I look forward to welcoming the new year with you and your guest virtually on January 22 at the next PM Buzz.
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November 2024 Embrace curiosity November is a timely month to begin reflecting and preparing for the path ahead. We have made significant strides in chapter governance, focusing on our long-term vision while taking meaningful short-term actions. These efforts set the stage for a stronger, more resilient chapter, one that thrives on relationships, inclusivity, and collaboration. Let’s celebrate an incredible milestone. Mara Abolins, Director of Volunteers, and her team have onboarded 36 volunteers since September, bringing our total to 61. This achievement is not only remarkable but vital to delivering value to our members. This shared purpose unites us as a community. I am deeply appreciative of your dedication and engagement. It’s your contributions that make PMI-DHC a vibrant and impactful chapter. Thank you! As the year winds down, take time to reflect on your own growth in 2024 and the role you play in our community’s success. What lessons have shaped you as a team member, as a leader? How can you build on them to succeed in 2025? Together, we’re not just managing projects—we’re shaping the future. Let’s keep challenging ourselves to think big, act boldly, and support one another every step of the way. See you soon,
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October 2024 Embrace curiosity In what state are you sitting in right now? Let’s take a deep breath together, slow in… and 4-3-2-1 slow out. Is everything moving too fast around you or just the opposite? For some, life/personal/career are on a high and let’s be thankful for that–ask yourself “how can I help around me?” For others perhaps it’s less in alignment with your expectations. Let’s contemplate, what is ONE THING that I can and am willing to do today to take a step towards the path I am seeking? Reflect on it, write it down and do it! You know you can. I know we can. Let’s celebrate. The winners of passes, gift certificates and books at October’s PM Buzz, which compels me to remind us all to check out What is Sylvie reading? for great book suggestions. Also, thank you to all who participated in the bylaw version 8 vote which is now up on the DHC website. I truly appreciate your feedback including “how we made it simple to understand the changes, made ourselves available for questions and made it easy to vote electronically.”
See you soon,
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We are curious about the current snapshot of DHC Membership. In which of the four categories would you say you belong to in terms of the adoption and integration of GenAI technologies? |
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September 2024 Aim higher With the autumnal equinox behind us, ‘back to normal’ is settling in, and for many, the focus is now on professional development before the year ends. What are you fine tuning these days? Still thinking about it perhaps? Check out what our PD team has planned for you and let Heather Ricciuto know what else you might wish for.
The DHC team aligns our actions directly with the PMI values as we plan and execute our activities this year. Tell us how we are doing and share on social your best DHC pictures using the # above. Come experience DHC, learn and network at the next edition of the PM Buzz, get your #DHCPROUD sticker, DHC pin, and if you have been with us for some time, be recognized for long-standing membership or perhaps new credentials! See you soon,
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I am so #DHCPROUD that Shannon Bell (Director, Membership) and Nena Kelly (Board Administrator) have attended this year’s PMI Leadership Institute Meeting (LIM) & Global Summit in Los Angeles – such amazing PM development and global networking at its best. Yes, another perk of being a volunteer. |
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August 2024 '24-25 Launch 
Blink and the summer break is behind us – I sure had a blast, and you? Reflecting back on wisdom from the AGM’s keynote Dan Trommater – Challenge Assumptions, See New Possibilities and Get Unstuck – do you wonder about wonder? Are you living stoked? This experience of wonder gave the Board the inspiration for a successful summer strategic planning. Check-out Dan's recent podcasts for more inspiration. I am grateful to serve as President again this year alongside returning and new Board members. We transitioned, reflected, collaborated and planned. We have so much to tell you; #DHCProud and PMI:NEXT. 
Did You Know… The ’24-25 PMBuzz kickoff will be hosted at DHC Membership Director Shannon Bell’s work location, an innovative and inspiring business in our community. This is also where we held our strategic planning. I am appreciative of their generosity. Celebrating DHC supporters #THANKYOU. You keep us going. Aim Higher We aim to “lead the way by thinking long-term and acting in the short-term.” As we set the stage for those who follow us, and do that with sound judgement, governance and pride, we build on top of and create value to our members. We also find ourselves pulled in many meetings to accomplish all that. Do you find the same ‘to get things done’? I share this post by Liane Davey I recently enjoyed, about making our meetings shorter and more effective and this article from FastCompany for more productive meetings. It’s all about balance and working better, not harder, right?! See you September 11th. |
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June 2024 #NEXT 
It is summertime and we just wrapped up another amazing year topped up with the AGM. Loved seeing many come out to hear the Board present the year in review, celebrate membership milestones with a special DHC pin and win lots of prizes. Watch out early fall for pictures of the moments captured and the minutes. A word of thanks to our sponsors for their generosity and to all the volunteers for doing what you do! The Board will soon begin planning for OY’24-25, you have until July 5th to share your thoughts to help us make your membership more valuable. Did You Know… As we plan our programming for the fall and beyond, we are looking for speakers, volunteers and yes locations. Would your organisation like to sponsor one of our PMBuzz and showcase your site, do you have a room that would accommodate a hybrid session, don’t be shy and reach out. Be Welcoming. Since September, more than 150 new members and 3 large cohorts (>500) of Durham College Students joined DHC. At this time, that brings us to >1400 members strong. We are united as a chapter on a journey to what is #NEXT and thrilled to have you as an important part of our growth. We look forward to continue our journey to welcome and engage actively many of you. Have a wonderful, refreshing summer and mark the date, see you September 11th. |
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May 2024 WOW 
For the 3rd year consecutive year DHC has pre-qualified for the PMI Chapter of the Year Award. That is a big reason to be honored, grateful, excited and more. Thank you for participating in the PMI survey. Tell us more…. How can we increase the value of your membership? For some everything is perfect as is, others you think we could….. I would like to hear from you. Here is a link to DHC survey. Your contributions will be a great source of inspiration for our summer planning. Embracing Curiosity. Have you come across the Global Project Management Job trends 2024 from PMI, is your organisation growing and looking for more PMs, would you like to participate in a job fair showcasing your fabulous organisation? Do you have a growth mindset and perhaps taken the leap into PMI Infinity or to the contrary you feel you are very knowledgeable and would love to host a focus group / round table – In all cases, let’s chat! See you June 13th at the AGM, |
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April 2024 Satisfaction
I feel rejuvenated! Sunlight and spring are contributing of course and our PD and Membership teams have put together amazing events in April, lots of excitement and action items. I invite you to not miss June 13th, DHC’s Annual General Membership Meeting (AGM). We had a blast last year, come join us again… or for the first time. You have told us… Hot off the press, we received the PMI 2023 Membership Satisfaction results. Thank you for your participation which was greater than the previous year, a KPI we consistently look to grow. The overall results remain strong year over year and amonst leaders within the 18 Chapters of Region 3 which DHC is part of. The results also indicate areas we can improve upon and the Board will reflect on those over the coming months. Making it easy. Thank you to the Nomination Committee Volunteers for their time interviewing and selecting the candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors election. Make sure to check your inbox for an email inviting you to cast your vote electronically before May 10th. Until then, check our website to meet the candidates. See you again, |
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March 2024 Giving Back
I am always touched by the stories of our members, how they choose to contribute to the community, profession, personal and professional network and, let’s not forget, to each other. The giving back comes in many ways of time and dollars and every bit is meaningful. To that, congratulations to every team and their supporters who participated in the March OPMCompetition in support of the UN SDGs. I appreciate all those who contributed to the event in big or small gestures and a special shout out to the 3 teams who placed on the “podium” 1. Centennial College, 2. Toronto Metropolitan University and 3. Seneca Polytechnic College. Did you know… As PMs, leaders and teammates, I believe profoundly that building a culture of trust on our teams makes a meaningful difference. From an ocean of great resources, I share this article for its science-based framework and this Ted Talk which covers how to build/rebuild trust. Allow me a minute of bragging… I am #grateful and #proud of the culture and team dynamic of the DHC Board. “IT” does not just happen, it is purposely developed and intentionally nurtured and lived. Our principles are shared and we live/work at those every day . Together we can. I would love to get to know you more. Come join me and 35+ volunteers make a difference in how we show up as a Chapter. Participate in our various Chapter Events and if you think of a different way to engage, let us know. Every one of you counts! Until next time, |
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February 2024 Resoluteness
Are you still doing your “thing”? What thing you might say… well THAT thing you had picked for yourself this year to tackle, do more, less, different and stick with? Well I hope you are and if not, this is your little nudge to re-commit, reaffirm and do it. On my end, well I am still grooving and continue on the healthy balance journey as let’s face it, it’s a journey not a destination. To keep with the February PM Buzz theme, here is an article for your reflection, “teams with high levels of trust are healthier and more productive”. Let’s chat more about this. Tell us more…. I am always pleased to hear from you, what you love, what you think and how you feel we and I could improve. The Board and I are curious and interested in hearing from you. What kind of event or initiative would you like to participate in? What kind of social impact would you like to see PMI-DHC contribute to? Drop us a line at [email protected] and tell us more. Embrace Curiosity. Students make up for 42% of our membership. At DHC, “we are always seeking ways to better serve the PMI-DHC community”. To support the student membership, we are proud to be, again this year, a partner of the 8th edition of OPMC, Ontario Project Management Competition where students present their “project and compete head to head to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) and help build a better future”. I invite you to learn more about it, register and attend the March 9th Conference with an amazing lineup of female speakers. Special mention, the organisers have dedicated the event “In memory of Madeleine "Maddie" Sanders”. See you soon, |
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March 2023 Welcome Durham Highlands Chapter Members, Community Stakeholders and Partners, un·stuckcause to become no longer stuck Spring is in the air, days are getting longer and brighter and it seems like people are happier. Are you sensing that of yourself and of your team too? And what if you are not? Let’s unpack that. Are you finding your team meetings long, unnecessary or perhaps stressful, are team members unengaged, drained and exhausted? Are you looking for more trust, growth and resilience? Consider reading this HBR article which sums it up by asking a very powerful question: “what are you stuck on?”. gov·ern·ancethe action or manner of governing Chapter Leaders have been focused on Operations and Governance. First, I am thrilled to share that under the leadership of Sylvie Edwards, VP Administration, we have completed and submitted ahead of time DHC’s Charter Renewal. THANK YOU to the team for their contribution into this critical compliance process ensuring DHC remains in good standing. Second, I am pleased that several members have sent in their submissions in response to our call for nominations for the 2023 Board of Directors Election. I am proud of that interest within, we must be doing something right, sending and “being a positive ripple”. The Nominating Committee is now working hard interviewing and selecting candidates to appear on the election ballot. Last and briefly, the Board has been reviewing thoroughly the by-laws for required changes and updates. A ‘head’s up’ as more is to come on this shortly. mem·ber·shipthe fact of being a member of a group Everything we do has our members at the heart of it. Members Satisfaction results of 2022 just came in. We will analyse and reflect on how to continue to be welcoming and to provide value to you. Thank you for responding. As we get closer to the summer, the Board will get ready for the strategic planning of the next operational year. To achieve that we wondered, “what makes you want to be here, with us, attend events, participate, engage. What makes you not want to and how could we change that? So many questions right?! And yet it feels so right to ask YOU and be able to review your responses as input to setting next year’s goals and objectives. When you have a moment, follow this link. We want to hear more details from YOU. Let’s co-construct, together we can make our Chapter even better! |
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January 2024 Momentum
Now seems like a good moment to contemplate on which track the year has begun and plenty early to adjust it if it is not on the one you planned or want. Just between you and I, this year for me will be about fine tuning to a healthy balance. I’m re-thinking my work schedule, my commitments and I’ve even started “grooving”; dancing as a workout! And you? What are you saying yes or no to, to achieve a year of greatness… Think about it, YOU are so WORTH it. For me this year is also about being more intentional in strengthening trust and psychological safety (PS) in our Chapter, on our Board and with the teams I work with. How is trust built? Is it earned or given for you? Working on teams where it is safe to be who we truly are, speak openly, honestly and share different opinions make such a difference. There has been a lot of buzz in recent months about PS and you will be well served at the next February chapter meeting PM Buzz to learn more about it. You have told us…. Some of you were curious about the progression of DHC’s membership since the last June Annual General Membership Meeting (AGM). I’m excited to say that we started the year with 1,428 members strong, 78 new members joined in Q42023 and there were 16 new certification holders in that same period. Welcome and congratulations to all. Aim Higher. Over the next few weeks, you will receive important notifications about DHC’s Call for Nominations for the upcoming Board of Directors Chapter Election Process. Are you looking for new challenges, ready to serve DHC in new ways or perhaps looking for a different leadership development opportunity? In all cases, we would love to receive your nomination and get to know you more. We welcome your questions, ask me or the board members anything to help you make your decision. See you soon, |
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December 2023 Replenish
Dear PMI-DHC Members, as we approach the end of 2023 and we gather to celebrate the holiday season, let’s reflect on the incredible accomplishments we have achieved together in 2023. Our dedicated volunteers have worked tirelessly, giving their time and energy to support our mission and make a positive impact on our community. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of them. While we celebrate our successes, it is important to acknowledge that this year has not been without its challenges. Many among us have faced adversity and loss, making it more difficult for some to find joy during this festive season. To you, I want to reach out and offer my heartfelt support and encouragement…You’ve got this! Did You Know?…. On a personal note, I would like to take a moment to remember and honor the life of Madeleine "Maddie" Sanders, a remarkable individual who served as a volunteer for more than 12 continuous years. Maddie's dedication and unwavering commitment to our Chapter will always be remembered and cherished. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the lives she touched, and she will be greatly missed. Be Welcoming. Let us enter 2024 with renewed hope, strength, and unity. May the coming year bring you good health, happiness, and success in all your endeavors. Remember that your PMI-DHC family is here for you, ready to support your personal and professional development. Together, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of those around us, with open hearts and arms. I look forward to seeing many of you at our next Members’ meeting, PM Buzz. From my family to yours, wishing you a Merry Christmas, joyful holiday season and a safe and healthy new year. To next year! |
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November 2023 Celebrations!
This past month, many of our members celebrated Diwali, for some Thanksgiving with their US friends and family members while for other it was about raising the awareness of Men’s health with “Movember”. Here’s to all. The sense of our DHC community continues to be such a pride for me and so many of you. Did You Know?…. PMI Chapter Engagement Survey 2023 was distributed to 280,000 members around the world on November 14th. Have you responded yet? If so, thank you! If not, let your voice be heard, you still have time as the due date is December 13th. Your feedback is essential and it is your opportunity to share with PMI.org your satisfaction with how we run the Chapter. As it is an individual link, I cannot resend it here, look for an email from [email protected]. Embrace Curiosity. Are you all over AI and could present on it, dabbled in it a bit or are you very timid or curious about it?. Sylvie Edwards, our keynote of this past month’s PMBuzz reminded us that AI will not replace us but those PMs using AI will. If you have not yet, dive in! PMI is offering this “Generative AI Overview for Project Managers” at no cost. Enjoy and come hear more at the December event. See you soon, |
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October 2023 Giving Thanks!
Does it not feel like a great time to reflect on what we are thankful for? You might not if you have been navigating hardship lately, know you are not alone , this community is amazing. For me, I am #grateful for many things, to name one, for our DHC Board of Directors who are dedicated, passionate and who endlessly support each other. It is amazing what we, PMs and aspiring PMs, can accomplish together. 
Did you know?…. PMI Hours for ImpactTM 2023. Have you seen the call to pledge your hours of service in support of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “As a for-purpose organization, we are dedicated to a positive impact in our community”. Follow the QRcode, explore a collection of stories and features and submit, all volunteer hours in any area counts. Make it easy. Was the voting process as simple as possible for you to select the next Charity we will support under our Community Goodwill initiative? I think so! Your votes came in strong and I am happy to report that you have selected Feed the Need – Durham. The DHC Board will continue to match, dollar for dollar, your contributions for the September 2023-August 2025 term. Thank you for voting and for your continued support. Until next time, |
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September 2023 Welcome Back!
The summer flew by so fast, I hope you enjoyed every moment. The volunteers, board and I are so happy to welcome you back and we look forward to seeing you at our Chapter events. We kicked off the year this month with sparks, exploring Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Styles. Thank you to our speaker, PMI Board member Lynn Shannon. For more on the EI topic, here is an article that you may enjoy. You’ve told us…. Earlier this month we have sent a time sensitive “perk” from one of our partners and it felt like spam. I apologize to you. We will better frame those perks going forward and keep with our communications best practices including leveraging the monthly newsletter when possible. Thank you, as always, for your feedback. Together, we can achieve great things. We are proud of our Community Goodwill initiative. The PMI-DHC Board matches dollar for dollar the members and guests’ donations. At the September PM Buzz, I had the pleasure to present to Sandra Mccormack - Executive Director - The Denise House, with our Chapter’s donation. Thank you for your contributions, every dollar helps. So this means….., it’s time again to select the new charity of the Sep’23 to Aug’25 term. Cast your vote by clicking here, before Oct 22nd. Your generosity is always amazing. Very proud. Until next time, |
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June 2023 Welcome Durham Highlands Chapter Members, Community Partners, AGMAnnual General Meeting It’s a wrap! It was exciting to see many of you come out (including the sun) to the Whitby Marina to attend DHC’s 2023 AGM & Social. An evening of celebrating our accomplishments, recognizing membership milestones, and enjoying prizes and networking with great food from Big M. To all of you who gave a hand… it takes a village to make these events successful and I thank you for being there! Together, we can achieve great things. Your generosity came out strong for the Special Charity Draw donating a total of $410 an amount that DHC will match. What an amazing contribution to The Denise House. Very proud. call·to·actiona stimulus to do something to achieve an aim We said our goodbyes and are preparing to welcome new chapter leaders as our board transitions over the summer and begins the planning for the upcoming operational year beginning September 1. Help us continue to make the Chapter relevant and a place where you belong and have a voice.
news·flashimportant news that is broadcast Take advantage of Members’ discounts with our most recent partners Firebarns and Chuck-IT Removal Services. Login to DHC’s web page to get the discount code and take advantage of the 15% off on products and services. I’d like to thank Techtronics Industries Inc (TTI) once more for their partnership this year, helping us “spice up” our prizes and give to our community while having a blast. Be on the look out for the fall new pieces… might there be a blower …. leaf/snow or maybe both? Did you take photos that you would like to share or have some thoughts and comments to tell? I would love to hear from you. Let’s see how we will capture the remarkable memories of this year’s 2023 AGM & Social event. |
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May 2023 Welcome Durham Highlands Chapter Members, Community Partners, ded·i·ca·tionthe quality of being dedicated or committed to a task or purpose After the May long weekend, it feels like summer is just around the corner isn’t it? Before we slow down for the summer, might you have a moment to click here now and share some thoughts about what you would like the Chapter to do more/less/different when we return in the fall? Thank you fellow members for your commitment and engagement in the chapter. I want to send a shoutout to all volunteers, speakers, sponsors and students participants in the OPMC & YC of May 6 and congratulations to the members of the 4 winning teams. DHC was a proud partner of this event and more highlights to come at the AGM! fi·nan·cialsthe finances of financial situation of an organization Chapter Financial Governance is essential. With Delroy Trowers, Director Finance, at the helm and supported by Maddie Sanders, Treasurer, DHC has closed the FY’21-22 books, worked with our accountant, CRA and have our financial statements prepared, reviewed and ready to present to you at the AGM. While handling the closure, Delroy leads all financial initiatives and deliverables on time and keeps us within budget and on pace with forecast. Thank you for keeping us financially sound. pro·gram·mingthe action or process of scheduling something Have you been to a PM BUZZ? Our Director Memberships, Kerri-Ann Williams, delivered with her team the last edition of the 2022-2023 operational year. These exciting monthly hybrid editions of the PM Buzz showcased outstanding speakers and received great reviews of the event, the location and the food! Furthermore, under her leadership, our Chapter membership has continued to grow month/month. As I write these words we are well into the 1400++ members strong! Such an accomplishment, thanks for all the engagement of the team with our members. New or seasoned, will I see you June 20th at the AGM, BBQ & Social. Mark the date, register here and join us in making the evening a spectacular one. |
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April 2023 Welcome Durham Highlands Chapter Members, Community Partners, laugh·inginstinctive expressions of lively amusement It was inspiring and energizing to see many of you at the recent April Social. I heard numerous times how you have missed these events and have an appetite for more – ME TOO! Appreciation to Mara Abolins, Director of Volunteers, for planning and leading this event. You are invited to join us on June 20th for the AGM & Social. Newer or seasoned members, mark the date: we’ll see you at the Whitby Marina! As much as we enjoy in-person meetings, “remote” ones are still very much “a thing”. Do you ever come up dry of new ideas to spark yours up? I offer you this article showcasing the merits of laughter. Consider the impact of it at work and in your life. col·lab·o·ra·tionaction of working with someone to produce or create something It is incredible how Together We Can accomplish remarkable results. I am so proud of our team. Think for a moment, almost everything we do goes through “mar/com central”! Geoff Rickard, Director Marketing and Communications, leading the way with his team were intensely engaged this past month in preparing and communicating with you in a variety of ways and topics including the 2023 By-Laws, Directors Election and the Ontario Project Management Youth Conference and Competition on top of the typical well filled Mar/Com calendar and tasks. I appreciate you all. con·tri·bu·tionthe part played by a person in bringing about a result of helping something to advance Your voice is now what the DHC Board wants and needs to hear. With a priority to Make it Easy for you, we summarized changes and will be using an electronic means for you to give us your vote and thumbs up that you approve the 2023 By-laws by June 7th. And we put you to work again, this time by May 8th, to cast your vote for your top three nominees for the 2023 Board of Directors Election. It’s your Chapter and your voice matters. |
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February 2023 Welcome Durham Highlands Chapter Members, Community Stakeholders and Partners, men·tor·shipthe guidance provided by a mentor As February ends and we roll into March, are you wondering how you got here and where time went? I sure do. That’s how fast the year will fly by isn’t it!? Let’s take a moment and reflect back, what did you want to accomplish, start, stop or do different in 2023. What is at the top of your list, the most important – notice I did not write urgent – important to YOU. I know, you know, DHC’s Spring Mentorship program is just around the corner. Might it be exactly what you need? Do something a little different, make a difference and engage in such a meaningful two-way relationship. Most people I engage with these days seem to be on a race and just can’t find a moment to just breathe. If that is you, let me offer a casual podcast series - ThePMHour - that you might enjoy during your ‘chill time’. gen·er·ousshowing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than necessary or expected I believe that we all appreciate the community and the region that we live, work and play in. Our members have historically been so generous by giving back through their time, their friendship, networking with each other as they have been by donating. I wanted to give a shout out to The Denise House, DHC’s Community Goodwill initiative Charity selected by our members for the term of Nov 1 2021 to Oct 31 2023. Did you know that for every dollar you donate, either through events registrations or directly to [email protected], the PMI-DHC Board of Directors will match! We are happy to continue to support this worthwhile cause and appreciate all of you for making a difference. up-and-com·ingmaking good progress and likely to become successful As you know, one of PMI’s Strategic Focus Area includes Social Impact; “At PMI, we enable changemakers not just for business – but for the broader good”. PMI’s priorities include the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), Youth Enablement and Coalition for Purpose. With that as a solid foundation, DHC is proud to present the 2023 Ontario Project Management Competition (OPMC) for Colleges and University students, inspired by The Wideman Education Foundation (WEF). The conference day is May 6 (more details to come) and the deadline for teams to register for the competition is March 10th, pass it along. I always wonder how to make a meaningful contribution to you and make this read a valuable one. I hope I achieved that today. Thanks for taking the time. See you soon. |
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January 2023 Welcome Durham Highlands Chapter Members, Community Stakeholders and Partners, em·braceaccept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically Already one month of 2023 is behind us. Did you replenish and rejuvenate during the holidays, dust settled and normalcy returned in your life by now? Maybe not, as at this point, some of us realise we have been swept in, procrastinating and not strapping ourselves in the driver’s seat, getting ready to “steer into the slide”, seeking even welcoming the changes that are upon us. Do you see yourself through the lense of a changemaker or perhaps you need a bit more convincing and this article can do just that. I know “you’ve got this”, you are reading this message and preparing yourself to show up as the best you possible. rig·orthe quality of being extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate As a chapter, DHC is embarking on an important period of the operational year. Under the leadership of Omotayo Omoteso, Director Governance, the “Call for Nominations and Board Election process” will be launched shortly. Are you tempted, at the right point in your career, looking to bring new ideas, contribute to the chapter and our loved profession, give back, then hesitate no more and put your name forward! Perhaps instead, you are interested in working WITH the board yet not being ON the board, let me point to a great role that might just be what you are looking for. The role of Board Meeting Administrator is posted on the Volunteers opportunities. We are certainly actively looking for you! With Joe Campa, VP Business at the helm, our sponsorship and partnership team has created exciting new business packages. With a tiered system in place, sponsors can select which level makes the most sense for them, while partnerships is completely customizable. Another initiative with you, our members, at the heart of what we do, bringing you more value and more perks while recognizing our local business community. If your organization is interested, reach out to Joe to learn more. at·tainsucceed in achieving (something that one desires and has worked for) What are you planning for yourself or to achieve this year? Maybe it’s to pick up some great books (see “what is Sylvie reading?”), plan your professional development activities or perhaps practicing to let go or using “Yes AND” instead of “yes but”. Do you typically make resolutions or prefer not to or just don’t and still aim for it as to not “jynx it” or you are worried that joy may be inviting disaster? In her book Atlas of the heart, Brené Brown refers to that as “foreboding joy” and describes it as “that feeling you get when joy is followed quickly by thoughts of worry and dread, an inner dialogue of ‘but what if this happens”. I have that inner dialogue at times, and really as a PM, we are wired to plan for various outcomes and possibilities. So, for me this year, I choose JOY. As Brown says, “Joy, collected over time, fuels resilience—ensuring we'll have reservoirs of emotional strength when hard things do happen.” I offer you my best wishes for a spectacular year ahead and looking forward to seeing you throughout 2023. |
