10th Anniversary of Regina South Saskatchewan Chapter - October 3, 2006
What were you doing in 1996, for just a moment I would like you to think back to that time and recall what type of work you were doing, where you were working, what were your leisure time activities? I recall the looming Y2k discussion starting.
Ten years ago a group of 28 people interested in the project management profession in this community chartered the Regina South Saskatchewan chapter. At that time the world wide membership of PMI was around 20,000. Today, 10 years later our chapter has 415 members and PMI in total is nearing 250,000.
Margaret Mead, an anthropologist of 20th century quotes: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
If we look back over the past 10 years, the business world in Regina has changed in our profession which can be attributed to the vision of this small group of founding members. A founding member is considered someone who had paid the membership to PMI and the new chapter. At this time I would like to recognize the founding members that we have in attendance. They are: Chris Taschuk, Don Putz, Brenda Von Hagen, and Danica Love.
To grow a chapter of professionals in an environment where Project Manager was not even considered a profession, took committed leadership. The quality of leadership, more than any other single factor, determines the success or failure of an organization. At this time I would like to recognize the past presidents of the chapter. The first president was Dennis Stephenson, who relentlessly for 4 years moved the idea of forming a chapter forward and then for nearly 5 years was president. Brian Cobbledick was then elected president and unfortunately was only able to fill the office for a few months before moving away. Rob Nelson then took the reigns and led the chapter for 4 years. Please stand and be recognized.
The presidents could not possibly build the chapter alone. Throughout the 10 years the growth has occurred due to the commitment of volunteers who took on a leadership role within the Board of directors. If we look at the activities of the chapter today this has all been possible due to the many hours of work invested by many people. Today we have regular chapter meetings with speaker presentations, exam preparation courses, a 3 day professional development conference, a 2 day fall training seminar, community involvement in hosting events in the city, golf tournament, volunteer recognition program, project of the year awards and the list goes on. At this time I would like all those here that have served on the Board of Directors to please stand and be recognized. I would also like to acknowledge Don Stockan who joined the organization and the board about a month after the charter and has been on the board continuously since.
Why do we do all these things? Regina and South Saskatchewan has 415 professionals that realize the value of project management and the value of belonging to a community of practice. Imagine! 415 members and several hundred other supporters who get involved in some way in a community of 200,000 people! You the members are why this chapter exists and how this chapter will continue to grow and flourish. In PMI world, you have put this community of practice on the global map. This evening is for you to celebrate. It is a time for fun and for you to enjoy!
Our workplace is primarily where we put our professional skills to use. As professionals we have been supported and advanced by the businesses that employ us. This business support has extended to our chapter. The financial support of corporations has ensured that we are able to provide the professional development opportunities for our members. As well, corporations support their employees in providing volunteer hours in the chapter. As a chapter we have been very fortunate to have business involvement from day one. This involvement has grown particularly once we started the Professional Development Conference and the introduction of sponsorship opportunities. The corporate support has ensured a sound financial foundation from which we are able to grow.
As we stop to reflect upon the first 10 years of the Regina South Saskatchewan Chapter we reflect on how corporations have been a vital part of our organization. The Board of Directors wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge and show our gratitude for this support.
To mark the 10th anniversary of our chapter, we would like to present to our corporate supporters a plaque honoring the occasion. We have obtained these attractive desk top plaques that we hope you will display proudly in your workplace. They have etched in them the chapter's 10th anniversary logo. We are pleased to present these to 15 corporations who have provided generous sponsorship, time and continuous support of our endeavors over the past 10 years.
Dwight Chernishenko from SaskTel. SaskTel has supported us in many ways right from day one. As an organization they led the community into recognizing the benefits of project management.
Chris Taschuk from Technology Management Corporation. TMC is a long time supporter of the chapter with volunteer time and also hosting our website.
Mark Hustak from Paradigm Consulting Group. Paradigm has contributed many volunteer hours to the chapter as well has been a champion of project management in the community.
Archie Bangsund from ISM/IBM Canada. ISM/IBM have strongly supported our chapter each year of the PDC.
Erin Campbell-Howell from Farm Credit Canada. Farm Credit have strongly supported our chapter at the PDC with sponsorship and speakers.
Ken Flaman from CGI. CGI have strongly supported our chapter in many ways including strong support of the PDC.
Walter Wawruck from Walter Wawruck Project Management has been providing exam preparation courses for the chapter for all ten years. Many of us in this room have been students of Walter. Unfortunately Walter, who lives in Vancouver could not be here this evening.
Leo Verhelst from Solvera Solutions. Solvera and formerly Vercom Systems have been supporters of PDC and the chapter
Helen Niedzielski from SaskPower. Saskpower have been supporters of the PDC and the chapter.
Brenda Comfort from EXP Consulting. EXP have been providing training courses for our members for many years and have supported the PDC since its beginnings.
Rhonda Ekstrom from EDS Canada. EDS have been supporters of the PDC from its beginnings.
Randy Fichter from SAIC Canada. SAIC are current supporters of the PDC.
Dorothy Kincaid from Cooperators Life Insurance. Cooperators are current supporters of the PDC.
Lucille Sirois-Donnelly from Canada Life. Canada Life is a current supporter of the PDC.
CUETS is a current supporter of the PDC.
Again, thank you to all the corporations for their continued support and we look forward to working with you in our future years.
Brian Cobbledick photographed the evening and has placed pictures on the following website
http://www.unboundimages.com/photoecommerce/index.php?path=/PHOTOS/PMI%20Events . If the link does not work when you click on it, copy it to your web browsers address line.
Click on the green folder "10th Anniversary". Clicking on any picture, in a group of eight, enlarges the picture. When you move the mouse cursor over the enlarged picture, it activates a small menu on the picture (upper left corner) that you can use to save (click the small icon of a floppy disk) the picture to your computer.
The pictures in this folder are free and print out at approximately 3 x 5 inches. Enjoy.
