Ways of working - Volunteering

As project managers, we understand the importance of continuous personal and professional growth. One of the most rewarding ways to foster that growth is through volunteering. In this edition of the PMI Netherlands Chapter newsletter, we’re shining a spotlight on the many opportunities available for you to get involved and take your project management journey to the next level.

Volunteering with PMI offers far more than the chance to give back to the project management community—it's a powerful way to expand your skill set, gain leadership experience, and build valuable connections with like-minded professionals. Whether you're looking to enhance your expertise, learn something new, or simply broaden your network, volunteering provides real-world, hands-on experience that translates directly into career development.

Our chapter is run entirely by volunteers—fellow project managers who dedicate their time and knowledge to helping others while advancing the profession. From organizing events and workshops to mentoring new members or contributing to outreach programs, every role is essential, and there’s always room for more helping hands. If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry. We’ll help you find a volunteer position that matches your skills, interests, and availability.

In this newsletter, we’ll guide you through the benefits of volunteering, whether you're a new member looking to get more involved or an experienced professional eager to take on a leadership role. We’ll also highlight upcoming volunteer opportunities and share inspiring stories of the BENELUX Summit 2024, entirely organized by volunteers!

By volunteering, you not only make a meaningful impact on the community but also open doors to new learning experiences and career opportunities. Take this chance to get involved and grow alongside your peers in the PMI Netherlands Chapter!

Key topic #1: Why Volunteering with PMI Netherlands Chapter?

By Alka Tripathy – Director of Volunteers and Membership

Volunteering with the PMI Netherlands Chapter is a great way to grow both personally and professionally. The chapter is run entirely by passionate volunteers—project managers and leaders who work together to advance the profession and make a positive impact. From board roles to mentoring and event planning, everything is managed by fellow members like you.

Get Involved!

Volunteering offers a unique chance

• ·??????? to build lasting connections with other professionals,
• ·??????? expand your network,
• ·??????? develop leadership skills
• ·??????? and last but not least you can earn PDUs.

It's always possible to start! Whether you're looking to contribute your expertise, gain new skills, or simply give back, there's a volunteer opportunity that suits your interests.

For New Members

Are you new to the chapter? Start by attending meetings and programs to get to know the community. Once you're ready, consider volunteering to gain hands-on experience and grow your career.

For Experienced Members

Seasoned members can take it further by mentoring newer members or stepping into leadership roles to continue building their leadership expertise.

For more information, reach out to the Volunteers Team at pmiboard@pmi-nl.nl. Start making a difference today!

Interested to kick start your Volunteering Journey with the PMI NL Chapter?

Send an email to director-mv@pmi-nl.nl & president@pmi-nl.nl today!

Our current open positions can be checked on our website and in the below overview:

Open Volunteer Position/s Reference ID

Social Good Volunteer (Dutch Speaker) 45028

Marketing Volunteer 46631

Events Lead 46628

Social Good & Academic Outreach Volunteer 46634

Key topic #2: Elections PMI Netherlands Chapter Board

By Agnes Versteegen, Chair Election Committee

Based on the Chapter By-Laws, we would like to call your attention to the upcoming Election of the Board of the PMI Netherlands Chapter for 2025-2027.

The nomination and election of directors shall be conducted annually in accordance with the terms of office specified in Article IV, Section 1, and Article V of the Chapter By-laws.

Below, you can see the current situation:

Board member Role Term status

Pawel Stadnik President 2nd term ending 31st January 2025

Cristina Cordova Director Events 1st? term ending 31st December 2024

Cristina Cordova Director of Marketing & Communications 1st? term ending 31st December 2024

Laura Roversi Treasurer 2nd term ending 28th February 2025

Sattar Emamian Director of Professional Development Appointed by the Board on January 1st, 2024

Alka Tripathy Director Membership and Volunteers Appointed by the Board on April 1st, 2024

In summary, the following positions are open for election:

? President (Vacancy)

? Director Events (Applying for the second term)

? Director of Marketing and Communications (Vacancy)

? Treasurer (Vacancy)

? Director of Professional Development (confirm appointment by the Board)

? M&V Director and Deputy Director (confirm the appointment by the Board)

Board elections for 2025-2027

Therefore, the Board calls nominees for these positions for a two-year term 2025-2027, starting officially on January 1st, 2025. The profiles for these roles are attached at the end of this letter.

The election process

·??????? Candidates can nominate themselves for each of the open positions. Also, nominations for more than one position are possible. In that case, the candidate is requested to supply an order of preference for the positions in their nomination,

·??????? Candidates can nominate (only) themselves until October 14th, 2024,

·??????? The Election Committee checks the credentials of the candidates,

·??????? From October 14th till October 28th, if more candidates are available for one or more of these positions, the Chapter members will be asked to cast their votes,

·??????? On October 31st, the Election Committee will count the votes and establish which candidate is elected to which position,

·??????? Elected candidates will be informed by the Chapter Board,

·??????? All Candidates will be briefed by the Election Committee or Chapter Board in person,

·??????? The election results will be announced?in the Chapter Newsletter?and published on the Chapter website,

·??????? On January 21st, 2025, the old and new Board will meet the whole day to prepare the operational plan for 2025

·??????? On January 1st, 2025, the newly elected Board members start their first two-year term, and the re-elected board members start their second term.

How to nominate yourself

To nominate yourself, read the?description of the roles, fill out the?nomination form,?and return the form no later than?October 14th, 2024, to the Election Committee via email to dep-secretary@pmi-nl.nl. This email address is to be used for any inquiries related to this election or to the positions as well.

Please mention in the subject field: “Nominee Chapter Board 2025-2027”.

On behalf of the 2025-2027 Election Committee,

Agnes Versteegen (Chair)

Hikmet Coskun Gunduz

Shadrack Hinson

The review: HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations

By Alejandro Fernández

HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations - Nancy Duarte

The summer is over, and for most of us, vacations are just a memory in a remote corner of our brains. September is the month when jobs and projects recover their full pace and when we aim to practice the good intentions we had during our summer break.

If you are targeting improving your communication skills, delivering better presentations, or just making an impact when presenting to top executives this year, this book will provide everything that you need.

HBR Guide to Persuasive Communication covers presentations from A to Z, from investigating the audience, setting up the room, adjusting the presentation time, and designing your slides.

The book is written in short chapters, very concisely, and clearly focused on the application. It is definitely very easy to read.

Conveying ideas visually is an essential skill that every PM should master, and this book should be part of your basic toolkit.

Apply the teachings of this book to your next presentation, and it will certainly pay off.

Please enjoy it!

HBR guide to persuasive presentations

ISBN-139781422187104?????????? 229 pgs

Nancy Duarte? is an American writer, speaker, and author of several books about visual communication and conveying ideas.

Event Highlight #1: BENELUX Summit 2024 – Thank you note

By Sattar Emamian – Director of Professional Development

The PMI BENELUX Summit 2024 was a remarkable success, a testament to our speakers, participants, and organizers' dedication, passion, and collaborative efforts. This success would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of everyone involved. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to each of you for making this event truly memorable and impactful.

Our esteemed speakers provided a wealth of insights, generously sharing their knowledge and expertise across various project management disciplines. They offered fresh perspectives on critical topics, from pioneering project strategies and cutting-edge tools to thought-provoking real-world case studies. Each session enriched our collective understanding of how project management principles can be adapted and applied to meet the unique demands of diverse industries, highlighting the transformative role that effective project management plays in driving success.

Equally important was the contribution of our enthusiastic participants. Your active engagement during discussions, Q&A sessions, and vibrant networking interactions created an energetic atmosphere that went beyond mere participation. It promoted a culture of shared learning, collaboration, and mutual support that exemplified the true spirit of our community. This environment was where ideas were exchanged, challenged, and refined, paving the way for real professional growth.

The PMI BENELUX Summit is not just another industry gathering but a catalyst for building connections, supporting professional relationships, and sparking innovation across different sectors. By bringing together professionals from diverse fields such as technology, healthcare, construction, finance, high-tech, and more, we're able to explore project management from multiple angles. This diversity of thought and experience allows us to address complex challenges holistically and identify synergies that drive innovation and efficiency.

As we reflect on the PMI BENELUX Summit 2024 achievements, we are filled with optimism for what lies ahead. The conversations sparked, and the relationships built during this event will continue to inspire new collaborations and drive progress long after the Summit has ended. The learnings from this Summit will guide us in overcoming future challenges and exploring new horizons in project management.

Once again, thank you to everyone—our speakers, participants, volunteers, and partners—who made this event a success. We look forward to building on this momentum and welcoming you to future summits where we can continue to innovate, collaborate, and elevate project management to new heights.

Event Highlight #2: BENELUX Summit 2024 – Summary

By Alka Tripathy – Director of Volunteers and Membership

"The Reward of a thing well done is to have done it," Ralph Waldo Emerson rightly said.

And what’s even more gratifying is to have done it together as a ‘TEAM of Volunteers’.

Yes, the BENELUX SUMMIT held on September 27th at High Tech Campus, Eindhoven, is a true testament to the hard work and meticulous planning put forth by a group of enthusiastic Volunteers working for the PMI Netherlands Chapter!

Under a crimson and golden morning sky, the Summit took all its attendees on a full-day knowledge tour spanning workshops and keynotes, Round-Table panel discussions, and knowledge-packed Seminars, with the theme ‘Synergies in Project Management: Navigating Trends across Industries.'

In the gracious presence & participation of the 3 local PMI Chapters, PMI Belgium, PMI Netherlands & PMI Luxembourg, the unfolding of the Summit sparked great energy & excitement all through the day!

In the opening Keynote by Tom Bloemers (Director PMI), the topic 'Project Managers as Catalysts' was discussed with a focus on 'Five Building Blocks for successful AI-driven Transformation.' According to the 'Bright line Transformation Compass', they are defined as:

1.????? Define a North Star

2.????? Leverage Customer & Market Insights

3.????? Establish an AI-driven Transformation Operating system

4.????? Train & Engage AI Volunteer Champions

5.????? Make AI transformation a personal transformation.

The key topics of discussion in the Panel round table by Sebastian Thiede, Lizbeth Gallardo Castillo, Peter Ryan, Pawel Stadnik, and Murat Tarakci were 'Sustainability', 'Industrial Revolution 4.0', and 'AI in Project Management' and its relevance in different industries.

‘Understanding & Embracing Change’ couldn't have been better represented in exactly 15 minutes as Aseema Mishra did in the plenary speech.

Following the wonderful amalgamation between Industry and Academia, a series of Break-out sessions further strengthened this bridge! The topics were engaging, and the Speakers kept the audience glued to their seats until the Closing plenary speech by Dr. Elissa Farrow on the topic 'Mindset as the key to Positive Futures where AI is my work colleague or replacement.'

Before calling it a day, Pawel Stadnik (Chapter President) acknowledged the team's efforts with a vote of 'Thanks' and a commitment to commemorate their efforts over a 'Volunteer Meetup over Gala Dinner' in mid-October!

The event might have ended, yet the artifacts from it are to be cherished along the road of 'Volunteering,' 'Event Management,' and 'Networking' among the members and volunteers of the PMI Chapters!!!

Skill Building through volunteering: a path through professional growth

By Nicole van der Heijden – Communication Lead

Volunteering is often viewed as a selfless way to give back to the community and make a meaningful impact. However, for project managers, it can offer so much more than just the reward of helping others. Volunteering creates a dynamic space for skill development, allowing project managers to strengthen their expertise in ways that translate directly into professional growth and career advancement.

1.????? Leadership and Team Collaboration

Leading volunteer projects often means working with diverse groups of people, all driven by a shared purpose. For project managers, stepping into leadership roles within these projects is an opportunity to sharpen critical skills such as guiding teams, making strategic decisions, and resolving conflicts—all in a real-world setting. These experiences offer valuable practice in leadership and team collaboration, essential elements of managing any successful project.

2.????? Communication and Active Listening

Communication is a cornerstone of effective project management, and volunteering offers a variety of ways to refine this skill. Whether it's coordinating with fellow volunteers, presenting ideas to stakeholders, or negotiating resources, volunteering provides a rich environment for project managers to become more articulate and persuasive. Equally important is active listening—understanding the needs and concerns of the community, a skill that translates directly into managing stakeholder expectations and building stronger professional relationships.

3.????? Problem-Solving and Innovation

Volunteering often presents unique, unexpected challenges that require creative solutions. This pushes project managers to think innovatively and develop resourceful problem-solving strategies. These real-world challenges help strengthen critical thinking and adaptability—two traits highly prized in the fast-paced world of project management. Tackling unfamiliar problems in volunteer settings builds confidence and equips project managers with fresh perspectives they can bring to their professional work.

4.????? Time Management and Prioritization

Juggling volunteer commitments with a busy professional life demands excellent time management and prioritization. Through volunteering, project managers learn how to allocate their time effectively, set realistic goals, and meet deadlines—all while balancing competing responsibilities. These skills are directly transferable to managing complex projects and ensuring timely delivery of milestones in their careers.

5.????? Networking and Building Professional Relationships

One of the lesser-known benefits of volunteering is its vast networking opportunities. By working alongside people from different industries, backgrounds, and roles, project managers can expand their professional circles, making connections that could open doors to new career opportunities. Volunteering also provides access to mentors and peers who can offer valuable advice, guidance, and support in navigating career development.

6.????? Real-World Application of Project Management Skills

Volunteering offers project managers a platform to test their skills in real-world scenarios, often in environments vastly different from their typical work settings. This hands-on experience helps reinforce their project management knowledge and deepens their understanding of best practices. It also allows for experimentation with new methodologies and tools, enhancing both versatility and expertise.

Volunteering is a powerful avenue for project managers to develop and refine key skills. From leadership and communication to problem-solving, time management, and networking, it provides invaluable real-world experience. More than just a way to give back, volunteering is a pathway for professional growth, offering project managers a chance to gain new insights, build relationships, and advance their careers—while making a positive difference in the world around them.

FAQ - You have questions, we answer them!

Have a question that needs answering? Send your questions to?editor@pmi-nl.nl

Volunteer Positions

Discover the various Volunteer Opportunities. From Marketing & Communications Specialist to Regional Events Lead, there are several opportunities for you to add value to our team of volunteers. By becoming a volunteer, you can give something back to the PMI community, an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. If you want to become a volunteer, please get in touch with us or check out our website.

Career Opportunities

Are you looking for a project, program, or portfolio management position? We display the career opportunities offered by our Chapter Partners. Our Career Portal aids candidates in finding suitable vacancies and supports our Chapter Partners in their quest to attract the right professionals. Visit our Career Portal (https://pmi-nl.nl/careers) to see the current opportunities.

Congratulations to Recent PMI Certified Members

These certification holders join our community of more than 1.3M PMI-certified professionals. Will you be the next to receive your certification? Please find out more on our website.

NAME CREDENTIAL

Margarida Leonor Ferreira Martins PMP?

Robin Kruithof PMP?

Kelly Veilbrief PMP?

Jeroen Zonneveld PMP?

Daniele Papa CAPM?

Abdullah Serdar PMP?

Oluwatomisin Oluwato PMP?

Adela Elekes PMP?

Edwin Bakker PMP?

Surendra Mani PMP?

Mireille Vossen PMP?

Jacco de Baat AH-MC?

Edmund Forkuo Appiah Ameyaw PMP?