PMI Atlanta is pleased to announce October’s Volunteer of the Month – congratulations, Les Scott! For the past three years he has been hosting the Alpharetta lunch meeting. Les is an awesome example of the spirit of our PMI Atlanta organization, in addition to hosting, he also coordinates the registrations, introduces speakers, manages last minute questions and does it all with huge smile. He is being recognized for being a dependable and invaluable go to volunteer who helps ensure the Alpharetta lunch meetings are always successful. We love Les' positivity and passion for the project management profession – read and learn more about him below and what he enjoys about volunteering for PMI Atlanta.

What has been your favorite or most rewarding volunteer experience with PMI Atlanta? 
My most rewarding experiences as a PMI Atlanta volunteer is the opportunity as a Program Manager to host the Alpharetta Lunch Meeting. Being that this is the end of my third year hosting, it feels like the beginning. What I enjoy most is the meeting of new people who attend the presentation and the facial expressions and comments of the first time visitors. Their enthusiasm and eagerness is simply priceless.

How did you become interested in the project management profession?
While working for Lucent Technologies as an Engineering Supervisor, a colleague informed me that he had accepted a Project Management position and was very excited. He also informed me that he had completed his PMP Certification and couldn’t wait to apply the methodologies in his new position. He also stated that there were several positions available and suggested that I apply. After carefully considering my options, I decided to apply and was offered a similar position and caught the Project Management bug also.

What leisurely activities do you enjoy? Any little known fact that you’d like to share?
I enjoy bowling, reading (favorite author Larry McMurtry) and movies (action, suspense). After the completion of my PMP certification, I was offered a position as an instructor teaching project managers how to pass the PMP certification exam. I really enjoy teaching and the ability to help others do something that would be instrumental in their career.

by Mike Ososki, PMP, Communications Committee

One single person can make a huge difference. We know it’s true, and it could have been the title of John Salguero’s informative presentation at our Dunwoody Dinner last Monday evening. (Though Project Managers and Pyramids sounds more intriguing, right?)

The story traces the roots of Project Management all the way back to the awesome Pyramids of ancient Egypt, constructed nearly 5000 years ago. Mr. Salguero suggested that maybe this makes the Project Manager the world’s oldest profession, and then asked us to close our eyes. What we then imagined was the Egyptian desert: up to 120 degrees, where rain water evaporates before hitting the ground, and you’d better have a blanket at night. Less than 10% of the population was literate, the average life expectancy was 35 years, and the infant mortality rate was 20-50%. This is the grueling context.

Mr. Salguero advanced three hypotheses ...
     1. Slaves did not build the Pyramids.
     2. Slaves were treated very well.
     3. The Pyramid builders were skilled tradesmen and paid laborers.

According to traditional archeology, a workforce of 100,000 labored 40+ years to build these wonders of the world. Working under the Pharaoh, the leader of this monumental undertaking was named Imhotep. This “First Architect” may also be thought of as the first Project Manager, and his task would have been impossible without having exceptional abilities to plan, organize, and manage projects.

Applications are accepted through October 16th.  

The Atlanta PMI Chapter has over 4,500 members and is guided by an Executive Board. The Board performs strategic planning, develops the chapter budget, procures services through contracts, and provides support and development to the Leadership Team, which in turn oversees the day-to-day operations.

The role of a Project Manager is synonymous with leadership.  Now there is an opportunity to become a Leader in your chapter and a Thought Leader for the profession.

In 2015, the PMI Atlanta membership will have the opportunity to elect three new members to the Executive Board. The positions include Vice Chair, Secretary and Director At Large (Director 3).

• Vice Chair Position Description
• Secretary Position Description
• Director-At-Large (Director 3) Position Description

Please download the Candidate Information Packet.  Below are the documents referenced in the form:

1. PMI Rules of the Board
2. PMI Conflict of Interest Policy
3. Campaign Rules and Guidelines
4. PMI Atlanta Chapter Bylaws
5. Executive Board of Directors Policies and Bylaws Compliance Form

Written by Lakisia A. Jones, PMP

How do you empower Agile Teams? Those seeking answers to that question received the answer during the Agile Forum on August 18, 2015. The presenter for the evening was John Williams, Enterprise Agile/Scrum Coach, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Professional (CSP) and Certified Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Program Consultant (SPC). He shared the knowledge he has acquired over the last 10 years as an Agile coach. John began by asking, “How do you keep people motivated?” Attendees in the audience replied receiving compensation, to be told they are doing a good job, feeling like they are appreciated, receiving bonuses for hard work, and recognition. As the question was answered, the audience selected from an assortment of pipe cleaners. John explained that he learned a trick from a Scrum meetup at Lego Play that people tend to be more interactive and less confrontational when their hands are busy. So, for the remainder of the discussion the attendees were encouraged to make something interesting with the pipe cleaners while actively engaging in the discussion. John continued the discussion while the attendees listened, interacted, and made cool objects with the pipe cleaners.