As announced in the April chapter meeting, the Board has been reviewing our meeting attendance, expenses, and revenue at each site. 

MEETING FEES 

After careful review, the Board has approved an increase in Chapter Dinner meeting fees and the Annual Membership fee.  The meeting fees have not increased in over 3 years, and the Annual Membership fee has not increased since the chapter was formed in 2002.  The new pricing will be:

• Meeting fees, effective September 2010
• Member: $15 pre-registration, $17 pay-at-the-door
• Non-member: $20 pre-registration, $22 pay-at-the-door 
• Unemployed PMI-SWVA members and first time attendees will continue to attend at no charge
• $30 Annual Membership Fee, effective January 2011

We are sensitive to the fact that this doubles the current meeting fees, but feel PMI-SWVA still represents a good value to our members.  The other PMI chapters in Region 5 charge from $25 - $35 for annual membership, and $20 - $50 for monthly dinner meetings.  In many cases, they also do not provide the no charge benefit to unemployed members.  We are proud that we are able to continue this benefit during these difficult economic times.

REMOTE SITES

In addition to the fee increases, we have reconsidered the expenses associated with the remote meetings.  We have not seen in increase in membership or meeting attendance we expected from the remote meetings.  As a result, the following changes will go into affect July 2010:

• Lynchburg remote site meetings will be discontinued.
• We will return to the former model of one meeting in Roanoke with an emphasis on networking.  Meetings will return to the 6:30pm - 8pm time slot to allow for travel time.  Registration will open at 6pm.  Please note this meeting will be hosted from Lynchburg once every 3-4 months (exact frequecy TBD).    
• Tricities remote site meetings will require a minimum head count or the WebEx will not be provided.  Refunds will be provided to anyone in Tricities affected.

NEW MEETING LOCATION

Many thanks to Advance Auto Parts - our founding corporate sponsor and biggest supporter - for allowing us to use their facilities over the last 9 months.   However, in keeping with the other changes, PMI-SWVA Chapter meetings will return to the Roanoke Higher Education Center effective July 2010.  RHEC is located at 108 North Jefferson Street, next to the Hotel Roanoke.  Directions and parking information will be provided with the July chapter meeting.  

As a business, our first priority is to provide value to our members through networking opportunities, strong program presentations, and Professional Development Days (seminars).  We are here to serve you and appreciate your support.  

Please direct any questions to Melissa Kidwell, 2010 Chapter President.