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Just like project management in the region, attendance
continues to grow at the Latin America Leadership Institute Meeting.
Held prior to PMI Global Congress 2007—Latin America, in the beach
resort of Cancún, Mexico, the meeting attracted 64 component leaders
from 24 PMI chapters, four specific interest groups (SIGs) and 10
countries, almost doubling last year’s attendance.
PMI Chair Linda Vella, PMP, and PMI CEO Gregory
Balestrero opened the event and reminded attendees that one of their
purposes as volunteer leaders was to help support the growth of the
profession.
“Everywhere in the world today there is a sense of
urgency to deliver more effective business results,” said Mr.
Balestrero. “This sense of urgency is what makes project management
so important.”
Gerardo Sierra, PMP, president of the PMI Mexico
Chapter, welcomed attendees by saying “It is not true we are in a
project management boom right now—that boom is just starting!”
“We have a lot of work to do,” continued Mr. Sierra.
“We are the apostles. We want to be the culture of project
management.”
 Delegates enjoyed an inspirational keynote
talk by Joachim de Posada, PhD, a world-acclaimed sports coach,
trainer and motivational speaker who was a training director with
Xerox Corporation.
Dr. Posada spoke of a Stanford University study that
used marshmallows to test tendencies for immediate gratification in
four-year-olds — a test that he said was later replicated in
Colombia, South America.
Both at Stanford and in Colombia, two-thirds of the
four-year-olds ate their marshmallow right away, while one-third
resisted for 15 minutes and earned an extra marshmallow for their
self-discipline.
Dr. Posada said that a follow-up conducted 18 years
later showed that the self-disciplined participants were much more
successful than the others, and had clear plans and goals for their
lives and great relationships.
Dr. Posada advised attendees to find success through
similar self-discipline, to move out of comfort zones, do what
others are not willing to do, and make sure everyone on their team
accepts responsibility when things go wrong.
A number of sessions were held to update attendees on
projects originating at PMI Global Operations Center. Frank
Schettini, PMI vice president for information technology, said PMI
is addressing challenges involved with the PMI.org website redesign.
He also sought the attendees’ help in keeping the member database
up-to-date, to ensure that members can take advantage of
communication from PMI and its components.
Other update sessions focused on the Performance Management Framework and aligning
components to the PMI Strategic Plan, the Virtual Community Project,
PMI credentials and the PMI Educational Foundation.
“This was a productive meeting,” said Gerardo Verde,
vice president of the PMI Venezuela Chapter. “It offers an
opportunity to see others’ points of view, and a multicultural
experience.”
Verginia Doran, PMP, vice president of education for
the PMI Brazil-Parana Chapter, said the meeting “was good for my
personal and professional development. The presentations were very
good and useful. I plan to share them with the rest of my Board. It
is good to know what is happening in PMI.”
 The first afternoon was devoted to learning
and sharing, as the separate regions met with their component
mentors to update each other on what kind of activities, programs
and processes are bringing success to the region’s chapters. A
similar meeting was held for SIG leaders and non-Latin America
chapter leaders in attendance.
The second day of the two-day meeting focused on three
core competencies covered by the Leadership Institute curriculum:
PMI institutional knowledge, association governance and individual
leadership development. Volunteer leaders themselves were a great
source of knowledge for attendees.
Roberto Toledo, PMP, vice president of programs for
the PMI Mexico Chapter, offered a session called Tecnicas de
construcción de equipos que he aprendido del Fútbol. Insights on
building a team for Latin America’s favorite sport were applied
towards building a project team.
Peter Pfeiffer, PMP, Brazil-based PMI International
Development SIG vice president of education, presented a
well-attended session on facilitation.
 The final formal session of the meeting was the
Leader to Leader Discussion, offering delegates a chance to dialog
with Mr. Balestrero, Ms. Vella and attending board members Bruce J.
Rodrigues, MBL, PrEng., PMP; Mark Owen Mathieson, PE, PMP; and
Ricardo Viana Vargas, MSc, PMP.
Discussion focused on the challenges of finding,
training and retaining qualified project personnel. Delegates asked
Board members questions on certification and membership value, and
obtained help in the effort to educate corporations about project
management.
The meeting concluded with a memorable networking
reception on the beach, as delegates from around and outside of
Latin America cemented friendships made over two days of leadership
development. | 
PMI’s online membership renewal
process has been … renewed! In response to requests to simplify the
steps to renew membership online, PMI has revamped and re-launched
this process.