• Virtual Communities Project (VCP) Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
• Component Membership Information - Data Exchange Program (DEP) Refresher
• February 2008 Component Statistics Are Available

• Register now for the 2008 EMEA Leadership Institute Meeting

• Record-Breaking Congress Generates Excitement in Sydney

The goal of the Virtual Communities Project, now in Phase 2, is to develop new and improved structural and operational models for SIGs and colleges. The revised structure will be better aligned with PMI's strategic objectives. Learn more about VCP here.

How Will Scope of a Community Be Determined?

The committee responsible for the community will set the priorities for knowledge and active community participation aligned to PMI’s strategic plan and the performance management framework. Knowledge delivery will be accomplished through the PMI infrastructure.

Additional services can be requested and built into the plan by the committee through processes set forth in the formation process currently under development.

Each community is expected to align with knowledge-based communities centered around A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^® Guide)—Third Edition or other PMI standards; communities centered around various industry bases, such as IT Telecom; and communities that deal with topical areas of interest, such as Women in Project Management. The figure below illustrates the envisioned alignment of the different virtual communities.

The Data Exchange Program (DEP) is a timesaving program that allows volunteer component leaders access to their component's current membership listings, and to run labels and produce reports with the touch of a button.

Your component’s president/chair decides which board members should have access to the DEP by giving the officer DEP access in the Component System (CS). 

Transaction reports detailing component dues and real-time component membership reports are available to leaders with DEP access.

Please also review and understand the Membership and Prospect Database Information policy, which can be found under the Support/FAQ section of the CS.

To Access Your Component's DEP:

1. Sign in to the PMI Web site at www.pmi.org
2. Once logged in, click on 'Get Involved' in the top navigation bar
3. From the menu bar on the left, click 'Components & Communities'
4. Component System/DEP' will be the last selection under 'Components & Communities'
5. Once in the CS, you will see the DEP option on the left menu.
6. Click on 'DEP' and, if you have approved access, you will be able to either download the Access file or run the real time member reports

Component statistics for February 2008 are now available on the Communications section of the Component Leadership Online Community. Please contact Drew Ihlenfeld for more information.

Close to 800 practitioners from 43 countries gathered in Sydney, Australia, in early March for three days of learning, networking and enjoyment. The turnout for PMI Global Congress 2008—Asia Pacific was the largest yet for a PMI congress held outside of North America, as attendees sought out events tailored to advance their careers and professional development.

In a speech at the opening general session, PMI CEO Gregory Balestrero told attendees, “[You] can manage any project anywhere, anytime. The power to get you where you want to be is sitting in front of you, behind you and next to you.”

Read the full story in today's PMI Community Post.

Friday Facts is a weekly report on PMI events and opportunities. Information contained herein may be reprinted in PMI component newsletters.

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