Relationships and continuous improvement are two of Solarity’s core values, and involvement in professional organizations fosters both of those values.
Having a group of other practitioners who can provide no-cost support, advice, and expertise provides enormous value. We at Solarity recommend investing in becoming a member of and actively participating in professional organizations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI)® and the International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®).
There is no better resource than a network of people with shared situations and experience to help you expand your own potential and grow the potential of others.
Below is a list of some of the organizations with which we’re actively involved. Please comment below and let us know what organizations you’ve found valuable, and why!
Project Management Institute (PMI)® 
The Project Management Institute is the world’s leading not-for-profit professional membership association for the project, program and portfolio management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI delivers value for more than 2.9 million professionals working in nearly every country in the world through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research.
Reference: www.pmi.org
PMI Kentucky Bluegrass Chapter
The PMI Kentucky Bluegrass Chapter is recognized as a dynamic organization for professional project managers dedicated to serving the business, academic and government communities of Central Kentucky and the advancement of project management.
Reference: www.pmibluegrass.org
Kentuckiana PMI Chapter
The Kentuckiana Chapter of the Project Management Institute is an organization dedicated to the improvement and advancement of project management, serving Louisville, Southern Indiana, Western Kentucky, and other areas in the region.
Reference: www.kipmi.org
International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®)
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is an independent non-profit professional association serving the growing field of business analysis. For individuals working in a broad range of roles – business analysis, systems analysis, requirements analysis or management, project management, consulting, process improvement and more – IIBA® can help professionals perform their job functions better and enhance their professional life.
Reference: http://iiba.org
Bluegrass and Louisville IIBA Chapters
The Bluegrass IIBA Chapter brings a business analysis program to the Bluegrass region of Central and Eastern Kentucky and the Louisville IIBA Chapter brings programs to the western portion of the state. They are the local chapters of the world-wide professional association for business analysts, the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). They exist to bring together a community of professionals who deliver organizational change to promote best practices in delivering better business outcomes.
Reference: http://bluegrassiiba.wildapricot.org (Lexington) and https://louisville.iiba.org (Louisville)
Benefits
Solarity is involved with both the PMI and IIBA chapters, having served as a sponsor and volunteered on the boards in Lexington, and recommends membership and participation to Commonwealth professionals. Membership in the global organizations provides benefits such as:
- Access to free copies of the BABOK and PMBOK
- Online library of books
- Discount on certification exams
- Webinars
- Whitepapers
- Articles
- Templates
- Much more
Additionally, membership and participation in local chapters allows for added benefits, including:
- Networking with fellow practitioners
- Continuing Education and Professional Development opportunities
- Collaboration on local initiatives
- Volunteer opportunities