Unintentionally, though not surprisingly, the term change has become the manifest theme of this year's first issue of PMPerspective. As such, it is a fitting topic for this reflection on our chapter's quarterly newsletter.

It may be said that an organization's newsletter is a visible gauge of the group's vitality, effectiveness and leadership. Looking only forward, there are certain assumptions that seem reasonable for measuring the strength of a publication such as this, and thus, the chapter in general. Outlined below is a set of criteria that may be helpful to you, the reader, to evaluate the degree as to which each issue helps support the PMI Central Indiana Chapter.

♦   Are member needs fairly represented in each issue? As our chapter president outlines in his quarterly update, member satisfaction, strengthening our volunteer base and career development top the list of priorities for this year. Does each issue have a strong presence of local contributors? The willingness of members to "step up" and volunteer their time and talents is a good measure of member confidence that the chapter is worthy of one's contributions.

♦   Does the content reflect the overall diversity of our chapter's membership? Intentionally open-ended, this criteria challenges us to look differently at our makeup in terms of the variety of industries in which project management is a part as well as the geographic project management landscapes across our service area. When a member in Muncie, Richmond, Lafayette, Bloomington, etc. looks at an issue of PMPerspective, do they see articles relevant to their particular area's needs, many of which may be very different than those of the greater Indianapolis area? Are women's concerns regularly acknowledged and is the significant cultural diversity among our profession given strong representation in both content and contribution?

♦   When members, regardless of their tenure in the profession, seek to further their professional development, does this newsletter specifically support the chapter goal of having PMICIC be the primary source for achieving that end? Programs, events and educational opportunities make up the majority of our chapter's function. Though PMPoints is the chief publication for pre-event notification, the newsletter's content should be consistent with the big picture issues associated with the various activities organized and executed by the organization.

♦   Do the newsletter issues address the employment needs of all members? At our monthly meetings, it's not uncommon to sit around a table and have revealed that a substantial number of seats are supporting job-seekers. Some are new to the industry and many are veterans who have found themselves without work for the first time in their long careers. Across that spectrum of professional experience comes a very wide range of employment needs, from new skill acquisition to networking opportunities, the year's newsletter should reflect in its content the career issues of all members, though perhaps not all issues in every edition.

♦   Does the newsletter reflect a cohesive direction as represented by the major leadership positions and their formal committees? The real test of meeting this criterion comes when, at the end of a year, does a (regular) reader of the newsletter have a strong sense that a clear direction was established by the leaders and then followed-through by the chapter's volunteers? This, of course, is a two way street, reflecting on not only the newsletter, but on the active participation of the members of the several directorships, personally, or more practically, by delegation.
Finally, and I include this for the sake of accountability, does the chapter produce four quality, on-time, substantial editions, (yes, that's one for each quarter)?

Provide frank, constructive, specific feedback. Though there are no plans to develop a "letters to the editor" section in this newspaper, I ask that you take a few short minutes after reading each issue and send an e-mail with your honest thoughts on the issue's quality, using not only the criteria outlined above, but any you feel important as well.

Continue to contribute timely, objective articles about our industry. Share your expertise with others with the goal of making our chapter stronger and more relevant. Whether motivated by the intangible benefits of resume building, a sense of profession obligation or the more tangible reasons that come with PDUs, step up to the challenge, as did several members and affiliate partners in this issue, and articulate your knowledge in a way that benefits others. Your identities and the content of your input will not be shared, but it will be genuinely valued and given strong consideration for subsequent issues.

Serve on an online-only newsletter committee. I'm specifically seeking chapter members from those underrepresented locations in our service area. Volunteering for this ad-hoc committee wont' cost you a penny in gas, but it will give an inclusive voice to all members. This does not, in any way, abrogate the newsletter from the obligation to represent the more distant locations, but it does hold accountable the individual obligation to contribute to the chapter's success, regardless of zip code.

There is a cautious optimism sensed about the economy, and therefore, our professional futures. Let's work together to do our utmost in making 2010 a productive year for our chapter.