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From PMI Pro-Democracy Movement

This site is for PMI volunteers to collaborate on ways that PMI can provide innovative new services to members, be more responsive to the needs of member communities, and improve democratic processes. This site was created in response to a PMI Virtual Communities Project recommendation in 2007 that the independent boards and legal entities of the Colleges and SIGs should be disbanded and absorbed into PMI. Its member-elected boards would be replaced by PMI appointees.

This group also has an e-mail discussion list where the members discuss issues. We welcome everyone to join the group and add to the discussion. The group posts key documents, ideas, announcements, and results to this web site.

1 In a Nutshell: Innovation With Democracy! (iwd)
2 Innovation: What's Needed
3 Democracy: What's At Stake
4 Chronology of Events
5 Resources Available on This Site

In a Nutshell: Innovation With Democracy! (iwd)

We agree with PMI that it is time to find innovative ways for PMI Specific Interest Groups (SIGs) and Colleges to deliver value to members. We want to maximize value to members (not merely normalize it) and it is time we innovate together. We vigorously oppose PMI's plan to dissolve all SIGS and Colleges, terminate boards of directors, and eliminate independent elections. We need to preserve and improve democracy! It is easy to remember our position in a nutshell: Innovation with Democracy is "iwd" which is "PMI" spelled upside down.

Innovation: What's Needed

"Normalizing member value" is admirable, but it isn't enough. Maximizing member value is far more important. While PMI says publicly that it is working with SIG and College leaders, what we have heard in recent conference calls is that the transformation plans are being produced internally at PMI and reviewed internally. PMI reports that plans may become available for the first time to SIG/College leaders in Malta in May. So the reality is that many SIGs and College leaders and members feel out of the loop regarding the future of their own communities.

<<In this space, can we summarize an alternative "envisioned future?" What if we had PMI's cooperation (in contrast to what has experienced so far). What could we accomplish for our members?>>

Democracy: What's At Stake

<<In this space, can we summarize what is at stake if the PMI dissolves Colleges and SIGs against their will? Why is virtual community democracy worth preserving/defending? How can democracy be improved?>>

Chronology of Events

5 October 2007: At the PMI Leadership Meeting in Atlanta, GA USA, PMI announces the preliminary results of the Virtual Community Project (VCP). At this meeting, the "three model" system is unveiled. Model 2 and 3 will be the only options going forward, and Model 1 is the current model for all SIGs and Colleges. Model 1 will be available only on an "exception" basis. Models 2 and 3 will be operated as part of PMI. Model 2 will have members, membership fees and member-only areas. Model 3 will not have membership fees, and will be open to non-PMI members. Model 3 will be an on-line way for people to interact. Many SIGs and Colleges begin discussions about dissolving and its implications, because they do not expect to be allowed to be "exceptions" (Model 1).

9 January 2008: On the PMI SIG/College Monthly Telecon, David Sabol and others make clear that there will be no exception process (no Model 1). All SIGs and Colleges will have to dissolve and become a Model 2 or Model 3 entity. Alex Brown requests more time to discuss this issue, and the PMI teleconference organizers suggest that the monthly teleconference is not the best forum for these discussions. SIG and College leaders begin organizing themselves.

18 January 2008: The PMI Pro Dem discussion list is started to help leaders communicate with each other.

23 January 2008: SIG and College leaders hold their first teleconference to discuss the impact of the VCP and how they might cooperate with each other. The group decides to keep the list open to anyone who wants to join.

16 March 2008: A large group of of Virtual Communities and PMI Fellows endorsed a letter written to the PMI Board of Directors, voicing "deep concern" regarding the current state of affairs between the SIGs/Colleges and the PMI Global Operations Center. See Letter to the PMI Board of Directors, Sent 16 Mar 2008

20 March 2008: Philip Diab, Chair of the PMI Board of Directors, responded with a letter to SIG and College leaders. The letter voiced support for the Virtual Community Project, and made no mention of any course corrections or improvements in communications. See Letter by Philip Diab, dated 20-Mar-2008

28 March 2008: PMI GOC distributed Mr. Diab's letter to all PMI members via Friday Facts, which included this statement: As PMI transforms to provide the profession with easy-to-access knowledge and resources, our Board and staff are working with SIG and college leaders worldwide toward the envisioned future for the Institute.

29 March 2008: This wiki web site was established.