Welcome to the PMI-OC Book Club! The PMI-OC Book Club is a virtual gathering place for PMI-OC members to read and discuss books related to project management and leadership development. The goal is for participants to grow as project managers and as leaders as they read and discuss the literature selected by the Book Club.

Benefits at a Glance

Ease of participation through a virtual setting
Great way to learn and earn PDUs
Share relevant books you've already read to spread information and help others
Great way to network with like-minded professionals interested in books and growth
Enhance project management and leadership skills and enrich your perspective through co-mingling with others' perspectives

Book Club Details

Book Club Structure

The Book Club is virtual/held online.
Current PMI-OC members may participate in the Book Club sessions for free.
Non-members may participate in the Book Club sessions for a $10 fee for each session.
Participants must acquire their own copy of the book.
The Book Club meetings are held once every even month (except December for a holiday break) on the third Thursday (Next Meeting Date: April 17, 2025).

Book Club Meeting Structure

Each meeting will have a facilitator to guide discussion.
Each meeting should be expected to last one hour.
No more than 300 pages should be read per Book Club session.
Books with more than 300 pages may be pruned down or divided into sections and those sections may be discussed over a period of 2 or more sessions.
After each meeting, we request that participants provide 3-5 takeaways/lessons that they learned from the book to us (mentoring@pmi-oc.org) so we may collate all of the takeaways into a singular set of notes to describe the usefulness of the book in the Books Read Journal.

How to Participate

Participation requires registering for the book club session on the PMI-OC website.
Participants must have read the book/book section under selection.

Books

Selection Requirements
- Should cost no more than $35.
- Should fall under one or more PMI Talent Triangle categories.
Selection Process
- Books are selected by registrants filling out a survey where they vote on their top 3 choices for the next read.
- The survey is sent out to registrants a week before the event registration cutoff date to allow time for those registered to vote on the next book.
- Survey participants may also nominate additional books to add to the survey in the future.
- The top choice for the next book is revealed at the upcoming Book Club meeting.

PDUs

We will report 1 PDU for attending the meeting. The type of PDU reported will be based on the book content.
Participants may also self-report PDUs to PMI based on time they spend reading (with 1 PDU per hour read)
- Click here for a general description of PDUs on the PMI website.
- Click here for the Continuing Certification Requirements Handbook, where you will find more details on PDUs and how to self-report PDUs.

If You Have Questions/Need Help

If you have any questions or need help, please reach out to the Mentorship Program team at mentoring@pmi-oc.org.

Next Meeting Date/Time:

April 17, 2025 @ 6pm PST - Click here to register for the event.

Current Book to Read:

“The Mensch Method: Achieving Success Through Character in Life and Business” by Todd Zive

Synopsis from Amazon

Lead with Character, Live with Purpose

Through engaging real-life stories and actionable insights, seasoned executive Todd Zive reveals how to lead as a mensch, a person of integrity and honor. Drawing from his extraordinary journey—shaped by the murder of his father at age four—Todd illustrates how resilience, self-belief, and the support of others inspire personal and professional growth.

The Mensch Method presents a transformative roadmap for achieving success in life and business through integrity, resilience, and meaningful relationships. Success isn’t just about achieving goals or accumulating wealth—it’s about the legacy you leave, the lives you touch, and how you get there—by lifting others up and rising together.

In this powerful book, you’ll discover:

Engaging stories and practical lessons that bring to life core principles like resilience, confidence, and the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships.
Insights into taking responsibility, knowing your strengths, and putting in the necessary effort to achieve personal and professional growth.
Guidance on staying focused on your goals, trusting the process, and navigating challenges with clarity and purpose.
Actionable steps to help you apply these principles, empowering you to lead with confidence.

Whether you are a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone seeking to lead a fulfilled life, The Mensch Method offers a practical and inspiring framework for creating success rooted in authenticity and driven by values.

Todd Zive’s book is a must-read for anyone ready to lead with heart and character.

Reviews

"Inspirational! Motivational! Powerful! Transformational! Educational! Just some of the words that come to mind when reading Todd Zive's The Mensch Method. A must read!"

- Andrew Terry, Founder and CEO, Terry Associates

"The Mensch Method offers a refreshing perspective on leadership, emphasizing humility, ethics, and leading by example—a novel approach I've never seen explained this way. I'm excited for the impact it will have on those seeking personal and professional growth across the globe!"

- Derek Herrera, Founder and CEO, Bright Uro

"Todd Zive's The Mensch Method is a powerful reminder that success is measured by the legacy we leave and the lives we touch. Truly a transformative read for us all. Ethical behavior and meaningful connections are key to truly embracing the world we live in today!"

- Kathy Dawson, CEO and President, Dawson & Dawson

"Todd Zive's The Mensch Method provides a powerful reminder that integrity and empathy are the cornerstones of genuine success, and that true achievement lies in the positive impact we have on others."

- Aron Rofer, CEO, Bradley Rofer Foundation & General Counsel, Champions Funding

"The Mensch Method is an essential resource for transforming adversity into personal and professional growth, an imperative in our turbulent White Water World. With engaging real-life stories and proven practical insights, Zive guides readers to overcome challenges and lead with character."

- Leonard Lane, Professor of Strategy, UC Irvine & Corporate Board Member

"The Mensch Method is a powerful guide to authentic leadership. Todd explores the true meaning of resilience, emphasizing grace, character, and doing what's right. A must-read for aspiring and established leaders alike."

- Mickey Gubman, Business Coach & Managing Director (Retired), Tennant Company

"The Mensch Method offers simple, yet practical leadership principles that have the power to change lives and make the world a better place for everyone. Todd Zive 'inspires and uplifts us through his own life story that began in tragedy but is modeled in integrity, generosity, and respect. This insightful and practical guide to becoming a mensch is a model for success every leader should strive for."

- Lisa Thomas, Founder and CEO, Main Street Marketing Partners

"Through examples of resilience, determination, and achievement, The Mensch Method illustrates how we can lead with integrity, kindness, and purpose—even in challenging times. It proves that success and goodness can and should coexist, showing that it's possible to lead with heart and find fulfillment in both business and life."

- John Merlino, Fractional COO and Former Division President, Lennar