Straight Talk with Ingrid

Dear Chapter Members,

April is a month that symbolizes renewal, growth, and momentum, and those themes could not be more fitting for us as project professionals. Known for spring beginnings, fresh perspectives, and even a little unpredictability, April reminds us that progress often requires adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to embrace change. Just like in our projects, success comes from thoughtful planning while staying flexible enough to navigate the unexpected.

Now that we are in the second quarter, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible momentum we have built together so far this year. Let’s keep that energy going. This is the perfect time to refocus, re-engage, and recommit to delivering value in both our professional roles and our chapter community.

As a volunteer-driven organization, our strength truly comes from you. The more volunteers we have, the more opportunities, programs, and meaningful experiences we can offer to our members and the broader community. Right now, we have several important opportunities where your talents can make an immediate impact:
•    We are looking for a strong, reliable, and creative individual to manage and elevate the articles on our site.
•    We need a collaborative partner to support our VP of Membership and help enhance member engagement and experience.
•    If you have a passion for social media or marketing, we would love your energy and ideas in the Publicity space.                                                                                   
I encourage each of you to explore the Volunteer Engagement Platform (VEP) for additional opportunities that align with your interests and goals. For our PMP-certified members, don’t forget that volunteering is a meaningful way to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) while strengthening our profession.

Please also consider referring friends or colleagues who may be interested in getting involved. There is always room for passionate individuals who want to contribute. For your convenience, please complete your profile on the PMI website so you can be notified when opportunities that match your interests become available.

I’m especially excited to highlight our first social event at the Dana House in Springfield. This unique experience offers a glimpse into the creative side of project management and showcases how vision and execution come together to bring ideas to life. Space is limited, so I strongly encourage you to sign up as soon as possible.

Additionally, our Professional Development Day is now live. This is a fantastic opportunity to earn PDUs, expand your knowledge, and connect with fellow professionals. The virtual format gives you the flexibility to access content over three months, making it easier than ever to learn at your own pace.

As always, your Board is here to support you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, ideas, or feedback. Your voice helps shape the future of our chapter.

Wishing you all a productive, inspiring, and successful April!

Warm regards,

Ingrid Holliday
Chapter President

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Upcoming Events

Register NOW for Upcoming PMI-CIC 2026 Meetings

If your project meetings feel like a hostage situation… or engagement needs a boost, this one’s for you.

Communication isn’t just about what you say. It’s about what people remember.

On April 14, Andrew Tarvin joins PMI-CIC to share practical tools for communicating with clarity, confidence, and strategic humor so your message actually cuts through the noise.

Disclaimer: Humor is a side effect of better communication. No stand-up routine required.

Go register NOW: https://buff.ly/uILXZXF

AI isn’t replacing you.
But it is reshaping how your expertise shows up.

On April 23, join us for an eye-opening evening with Dr. DeMario McIlwain as he introduces the THRIVE Framework and the powerful concept of your Human Mind File.

Because thriving in the age of AI isn’t about keeping up with machines; it’s about intentionally preserving and amplifying what makes you the human in the loop.

This is not another AI tools session. This is about reclaiming YOU in the age of AI.

Go register NOW - https://buff.ly/dcfH2SG

Step Inside History—And See Project Management in Action

If you’re in Central Illinois, don’t miss our 1st Social Event of the year, a unique opportunity to experience project management in a truly one-of-a-kind setting.

 April 30, 2026
 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM CT
 Dana-Thomas House
301 East Lawrence Avenue, Springfield, IL

As project managers, we often navigate legacy systems—but rarely ones as iconic as a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed landmark.

In this interactive, on-site session, you’ll explore:

1. Constraint Management — Navigating strict preservation and regulatory requirements at a state-owned historic site
2. Stakeholder Alignment — Balancing tourism, historical societies, and state infrastructure needs
3. Problem Solving in “Special” Places — Real-world stories from climate control upgrades to structural repairs

Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or a PM looking for a fresh perspective, this session offers a rare look at how project management helps preserve history while enabling progress.

Space is limited—register now: https://buff.ly/vdqmz1a

Conflict is part of every project—but how you navigate it makes all the difference.

Join us on May 21st for "From Clash to Consensus: Mastering the Keys to Resolving Project Conflict" with Michael Wilkinson.

This session will focus on practical strategies to help you move teams from disagreement to alignment and keep work moving forward.

Facilitator Bio:
Michael Wilkinson, founder of Leadership Strategies, is a globally recognized facilitation expert, Certified Master Facilitator, and member of the International Facilitation Hall of Fame. He has led hundreds of leadership and strategy sessions across corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations worldwide.

 May 21
 6:00 PM CT
 Virtual (Contrast.io)

Go register today on our chapter website: https://buff.ly/XyLDT2k

Everything is changing.

Markets. Technology. Expectations. People.

The question is: how do you lead through it?

Join us on June 16th for our all-day virtual Professional Development Day:

Our theme this year is "Rising Above the Noise: Leading Projects When Everything (and Everyone) Is Changing."

Conference Details:

🕗 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM CST

🎥 Buy Now. Watch Later. (All sessions recorded and available for 3 months.)

💻 Virtual Platform powered by AirMeet (buff.ly/jC5ogBL)

💲 PMI Members: $100 | Non-Members: $120 (go to our chapter website to register directly: https://buff.ly/HeevauC)

Eight powerhouse speakers. One focused day to sharpen your leadership edge.

Let’s rise.

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Welcome New Members

Welcome to PMI-Central IL Chapter! We're glad to be your local chapter.

Asharif Abbas
Brittany Daniel
Jennifer Michael
Johanna Muthler
Meghan Markle
Shail Gayaz Basha
Talia Washington

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Member Renewal Spotlight

Thank you for continuing your membership. We're glad to be your local chapter.

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News and Happenings

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Featured Article

Are you a Project Manager looking to expand you skills?

If so, you may want to consider the PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) certification.

This certification demonstrates your ability to develop and maintain project schedules, manage complex timelines across global teams, and impact project outcomes with proven scheduling knowledge and skill.

Effective scheduling is critical to ensuring the on-time delivery of Project and Project deliverables. Obtaining this specialized certification will allow you the opportunity to stand-out and increase your Project Management knowledge. 

To find out more see if you qualify to take the exam visit: PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)® | PMI

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Career Development

PMI-CIC is committed to helping our members grow knowledge and skills! Here are exam prep resources offered by our training partners. If you have any questions, please visit the Career Development page and/or contact [email protected].

PMI-CIC, in collaboration with PMTraining, are thrilled to announce the expanded suite of online course offerings that will support & prepare you as you develop your career with one of PMI’s globally recognized certifications! PMTraining offers Live Virtual classes, On-Demand courses and Real Practice Exams to support you on your certification journey! PMTraining supports PMP® , PMI-ACP, PgMP (Program Management Professional), PfMP (Portfolio Management Professional), and Disciplined Agile prep courses in all course formats.

PMI-CIC is excited to be partnered with Peak Business Management to provide PMP® Exam Prep and other certification training! With this partnership, our members receive a significant discount on PMP® and PMI-ACP exam preparation classes of up to $200 in savings! Peak offers several live virtual classes per month that will be sure to fit ANY schedule with instructors & students from around the country. For upcoming PMP® Exam Prep classes and to obtain the discount, go to Peak Business Management and use code pmp200. For upcoming PMI-ACP Exam Prep classes and to obtain the discount, go to Peak Business Management and use code acp125.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Create Your Volunteer Profile and Become a Volunteer! 

Want to broaden your reach, deepen your impact, and nurture lasting relationships? Give volunteering a chance. Take the first step by visiting the volunteer platform (https://volunteer.pmi.org/) to create/update your profile and find volunteering opportunities that speak to you. There are openings across all the offices, especially the Professional Development and Publicity & Sponsorship offices.

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Sponsorship

We have several ways to sponsor and partner with our chapter. Here are the four (4) sponsorship packages currently available (https://pmi-cic.org/catalog.php?cat=8):

• Diamond
• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze

Why PMI-CIC?

• Over 25 year-old chapter in good standing with the Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Run by volunteers & 6 Board members
• Gain exposure to ~600 members
• Gain exposure to over 2,500 Central/Southern Illinois professionals who subscribe to chapter communication
• Gain visibility as a leader and supporter of project professionals within your organization and in the larger business community
• Top cities: Our members are found in Bloomington/Normal, Springfield, Peoria, Champaign/Urbana, Morton, Decatur, and Pekin
• Top industries: Our members work in Insurance, Banking, Healthcare, Higher Education, Manufacturing, and Government
• Type of chapter activities: Lunch & Learn meetings, Evening meetings, Networking events, Outreach, and Social TV (Livestreams)
• Committed to a wide range of topics of interest to project professionals and changemakers 
• Past speaker profile: Industry experts, Seasoned professionals, and Professional speakers affiliated with John C. Maxwell, National Speakers Association, and Tony Robbins
• Various social media platforms with a growing presence
• Monthly e-newsletter and a blog

Have questions? Want to receive a custom proposal tailored to your business strategy? Please get in touch with [email protected].

Thank you to our Sponsor! 

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Find Us On Social Media

Find us on our social media platforms to stay engaged in between meetings.

• “Like” our Facebook Page
• Join our Facebook Group
• Follow our LinkedIn Company Page
• Subscribe to our YouTube
• Follow our Instagram page
• Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter)
• Follow us on TikTok
• Follow our Threads

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