REPORT
By Laura Weller
Vice President, Communications
PMI Dallas Chapter
North Texas, USA
Introduction
Effective communication is essential for promoting engagement, volunteer collaboration, and professional development in the project management ecosystem. The PMI Dallas Chapter newsletter has demonstrated value to member through clarity, relevance, and engagement, earning the historic distinction of being the first PMI chapter newsletter featured in the PM World Journal.
Following are a few questions answered by Laura Weller, PMP, DASM, Vice President of Communications, to help readers understand some of the leadership philosophy, and practices behind this achievement. In the few paragraphs, Laura shares insights on building a high-performing volunteer communications team, establishing sustainable processes, and fostering meaningful member engagement.
How did you assemble your Communications team quickly and establish productive relationships with each team member?
We built the Communications team quickly by approaching it like a strategic program, not just a volunteer committee. From day one, our focus was on clarity, trust, and momentum. We defined success for the newsletter: clear roles, a repeatable workflow, and shared standards for quality, which allowed volunteers to step in confidently.
We also invested in relationships—learning each person’s strengths and aligning responsibilities accordingly. Some volunteers excel at writing, others at design, and others thrive in execution. Transparency and accountability guide our team’s rhythm through simple check-ins and deadlines, enabling professional-level output while keeping the environment supportive, fun, and mission-driven.
What distinguishes the PMI Dallas Chapter newsletter from other organizational communications?
We approach the newsletter as a member experience product, not merely an updated bulletin. Each issue combines clear structure, relevant content, and practical value, including professional development highlights, chapter insights, and actionable tools to keep readers engage. We balance chapter news with broader project management relevance, so every issue feels worth opening, inspiring member connections.
What tools or processes help you scale communications?
We keep it simple and sustainable. A repeatable workflow, clear ownership, and deadlines are the foundation. Collaboration tools like Google Workspace, shared planning documents, and templates make volunteer work easier. Above all, clarity drives success, everyone knows what “done” looks like and why it matters.
How do you maintain quality with a volunteer team?
Quality comes from structure and support. We use templates, a publishing calendar, and review checkpoints to maintain consistency. Volunteers have autonomy and trust, which encourages ownership and pride in their work. Celebrating wins also helps retain strong contributors and sustain engagement.
What do you hope PMWJ readers take away from this feature?
I hope readers see what’s possible when communications are treated as a strategic asset. A strong newsletter can elevate engagement, improve retention, and strengthen community identity. It also demonstrates that project management principles, clarity, structure, collaboration, and continuous improvement can be applied to communications or any organizational function.
Dear PMI Dallas Chapter Members and Guests,
To our newest members, welcome! We are so glad you’re here. To those who have been part of this chapter community, thank you for your continued involvement and leadership. I’m incredibly proud to be part of such a vibrant and engaged community rooted in growth, development, and meaningful impact.
Each month, we welcome new professionals into our chapter and celebrate members who earn new certifications and reach important career milestones. These achievements reflect the dedication and excellence within our community, and we look forward to recognizing many of you in our upcoming communications and media highlights.
I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our January dinner meeting. The turnout, energy, and thoughtful engagement were a wonderful way to start the year. Your participation in the quick quiz provided valuable insights into the types of experiences you’d like to see more of. Some of you expressed interest in in-person networking events, mentorship programs, and panel discussions with industry leaders, along with fun, casual meetups and happy hours. We loved the creative ideas you shared from pickle-ball tournaments and Topgolf outings to the ambitious and exciting suggestion of hosting a PMI Global Conference here in Dallas! Our volunteer teams are reviewing your feedback and exploring how we can incorporate these ideas into our programming this year.
In the meantime, I encourage you to get involved right away through our existing mentorship program and breakfast meetings, in addition to our monthly dinner events. These are excellent ways to connect, learn, and build relationships within the chapter. Be sure to keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming events and new opportunities, which will allow us to organically build our networks and friendships.
As project managers, we are navigating rapid change — new technologies, evolving tools, and new ways of working. In times like these, our community matters more than ever. Leaning on one another, sharing knowledge, and building meaningful connections set us apart as professionals and strengthen our impact across industries. Let’s continue to support each other and grow together.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and successful month ahead.
Warm Regards
Kimia Penton
President, PMI Dallas Chapter
Meet Our Dinner Meeting Speaker: Elizabeth Mahusay
What if building confidence started with changing the way we think?
Elizabeth is an author, executive business coach, and dynamic speaker who is passionate about helping people transform their thinking so they can lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. A former chemistry teacher, she blends the science of neuroplasticity with real-world leadership experience to help audiences build habits and mindsets that create lasting impact.
Session Highlight
Build Confidence | Building Bold Belief in Every Season
More info at https://pmidallas.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=1561&ts=1768846003
More…
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How to cite this work: PMI Dallas Chapter (2026). PMI Dallas Chapter Newsletter – February 2026, PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue II, February. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/pmwj161-Feb2026-PMI-Dallas-Chapter-Feb-Newsletter.pdf
About the Author
Laura Weller, PMP
North Texas, USA
Laura Weller, PMP, DASM, Vice President of Communications for the PMI Dallas Chapter, is a seasoned portfolio analyst and marketing technology leader with 20+ years of experience delivering enterprise-scale programs for global brands including Nokia, Samsung, JCPenney, and SiriusXM Connected Vehicle Services. Born in Belize and shaped in the United States, she blends cultural roots, creativity, and mentorship and is hailed as a passionate advocate for children’s literature. Laura led the PMI Dallas Chapter newsletter to become the first chapter newsletter ever featured in PM World Journal. Guided by the philosophy ‘you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,’ she inspires bold, purposeful action in her teams, her community, and her family. She can be contacted at vpcommunications@pmidallas.org
About the PMI Dallas Chapter
Established in 1984 and now with more than 4,500 members, the PMI Dallas Chapter is one of the largest chapters in the Project Management Institute network, serving project professionals across the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan region in the U.S.. The chapter provides professional development, certification support, networking, and volunteer leadership opportunities to advance the practice of project management and strengthen the local project community. For more, visit https://pmidallas.starchapter.com/
