March 2005
 




Monthly Board Article
"Getting to Know You": The Work of the Membership Interaction Committee
By Sue Estes, VP of Membership

The goal of the Membership Interaction Committee is to find ways to help our members get to know each other. The committee starts with the "Welcome to GMA SHRM" phone calls made to new members. They also design and facilitate networking activities for the Monthly Chapter Meetings. New Member Orientations (offered twice each year) are organized and hosted by the Membership Interaction Committee. The Membership Interaction Committee is also developing a Volunteer Recognition program for the many volunteers who keep our organization moving.

New GMA SHRM Members and any other member interested in learning about membership benefits and the GMA SHRM Chapter are invited to mark your calendars for the New Member Orientation, Tuesday April 26th. The Orientation program will start with registration at 4:00 p.m. and will last until 6:30 p.m. Following the informational program, there will be time to network with other members and meet GMA SHRM leaders, as well as enjoy some delicious food and beverages. The event will be held at Boardman Law Firm's offices at 1 South Pinckney St., 4th Fl, (in the glass US Bank Bldg., located on the square.) New Member Orientations give members the opportunity to learn more about GMA SHRM, meet our leadership, and interact with other new members in a social setting. Invitations will be sent via email to all New Members and an announcement with all the details will be included in the email blast sent to all members with updates about GMA SHRM programs.

The Membership Interaction Committee includes Committee Chair, Marj Pieper, Members Michelle Hauser-Wallace, Carrie Lavin, David Binder, Holly Marciniak, Kris Kempers, Lisa Chupak, Wendy Brendel, Michelle Andler, Brian Miller, JoAnna Vanderpoel, and Heidi Staskal. Sue Estes, VP of Membership for GMA SHRM, serves as the Board Liaison for the Membership Committee.

The Membership Interaction Committee is always looking for other ways to bring members together. If you have any suggestions or would like to work with our committee on an upcoming event, please contact Sue Estes at (608)238-3410 or via email sue@celeritystaffing.com.

Workforce Readiness Update
By Debra Martinez, SPHR, Director of Workforce Readiness

Thanks to all who completed the volunteer survey! The Workforce Readiness Committee will be tabulating results and using contact information gathered to organize our future volunteer efforts.

In other news, Madison Area Technical College (MATC) is moving ahead with plans for a two-year degree program in Human Resources, expanding on its current certificate program of four courses. Associate Dean Judy Sutton will be working with our Committee to survey GMA SHRM members later this year on the need for and best direction for this new program.

Fall of 2006 is the target date for MATC to begin the HR degree program. Watch for future updates, as your input will be key to launching this effort to enhance the workforce readiness in entry-level HR training.

GMA SHRM Volunteer Opportunities

Take this opportunity to give to your local GMA SHRM chapter, and to the Human Resources profession.

  • Are you looking for a way to get more value out of your GMA SHRM membership?
  • Are you interested in an opportunity to contribute?
  • Looking for a great way to network with other HR professionals?
  • Perhaps you interested in furthering your professional development through leadership opportunities?

Whether you just have minutes available or hours available, participating in GMA SHRM volunteer opportunities can offer you all of the above benefits and more! See the list of volunteer opportunities available:

Workforce Readiness Committee Members

Purpose: Our committee focuses on how Human Resource professionals can lend their skills and talents to the greater community.

Activities: We will form a partnership with two community outreach organizations to assist them in various HR related needs, including but not limited to job coaching, interview coaching, resume building, networking, and so much more!

Time Commitment: The time commitment involved is a member's capacity to participate-we offer opportunities to organize an entire event or participate in a piece of the event coordination. We will also solicit volunteers from the general chapter membership who can offer their time and knowledge in supporting our community partners.

Contact Person: Jerry French, Karol Buckingham, Debra Martinez (board member)

Membership Interaction Committee Members

Purpose: This committee assists in facilitating interaction between and amongst all Chapter members, through various services and program offerings.

Activities: The committee facilitates two new member orientation programs in May and October. We welcome new members by calling them and inviting them to the monthly Chapter meetings, as well as personally greeting new (and current) members at each meeting. The committee also facilitates ad-hoc member networking opportunities throughout the year. On an annual basis, we administer a Volunteer Member Survey to our membership, offering volunteer opportunities on committees and for ad-hoc programs.

Time Commitment: The committee meets once every two months (for a two-hour meeting). Most of the communication/interaction is via e-mail and telephone. Committee members assist in facilitating the new member programs and periodic member networking activities. Committee members also rotate contacting new members prior to monthly meetings and attend monthly meetings to greet and interact with all members.

Contact Person: Marj Pieper, Michelle Hauser-Wallace, and Sue Estes (Board Member)

Student Relations Committee Members

Purpose: The Student Relations Committee interacts with UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, UW-Whitewater, Edgewood College and MATC. Our committee provides a great opportunity to work with these active students as they plan their chapters' events and programs and help promote "HR" as a career to the future of the profession.

Activities: Student Chapter Presidents from each university/technical college serve on our committee. Committee members assist the students in selecting speakers for chapter meetings, providing internship information, attending monthly student meetings to update them on SHRM events and offering guidance in planning the SHRM Student Conference/HR Games. Members of this committee also help out with conducting mock interviews for college, secondary and middle school students; planning Student Night; and developing and promoting the scholarship program to students and professionals.

Time Commitment: The anticipated time commitment during the school year (September - May) is one formal meeting a month, with the potential for other outside volunteer activities.

Contact Person: Anthony Dix (board member), John Komosa, Carrie Dushenski, and Dan Stahl (Board Member)

Certification Committee Members

Purpose: To coordinate activities that support individual Chapter members in obtaining and retaining professional certification. To promote and educate Chapter members on the value of Certification as part of on-going professional development. Committee members should be a certified (PHR or SPHR) Human Resources professional. This is a perfect opportunity for a recently certified member to get involved in giving something back and earning re-certification credits at the same time.

Activities:

  • Conducts certification information sessions in the Spring and Fall (2 hours each + 2 hours preparation time)
  • Submits application to offer a "special certification test site" in Madison (1 hour)
  • Coordinates and organizes the informal study groups ( 4 hours/semester)
  • Secures volunteer facilitators (for as many of the modules as possible) and coordinates their facilitation materials ( 4 hours/semester)
  • Chief liaison to the local College and University program ( 2 hours/semester)
  • Coordinates the official recognition of members who successfully certify ( 4 hours/semester)
  • Periodic educational and promotional announcements encouraging professional certification/re-certification ( 2 hours/semester)

Time Commitment: The time commitment is 8-10 hours/semester, most of it concentrated around the early and late semester times. The responsibility can be shared among two or more members, including another appointed Board member.

Contact Person: Debbie Reed and Dan Stahl (Board Member)

Communications & Marketing Committee Members

Do you have an interest in writing for the HR InTouch? Are you interested in being the HR InTouch Editor? Do you have marketing experience? We have an interest in learning more about your area of expertise! There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available, and some are flexible based on your interest.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Assist with implementation of partner program and directory ads for 2006, including contacting current and potential partners and advertisers. Number of Volunteers & Preferred Experience: generally all volunteers on the committee are expected to assist in some way, especially in the latter part of the year
  • Direct media relations - strategy, guidelines, press releases, media contacts. Number of Volunteers & Preferred Experience: one to two volunteers with PR/media relations background.
  • Assist with HR InTouch - writing and editing articles, developing content. Number of Volunteers & Preferred Experience: one to two volunteers with good writing skills or background in journalism or communications.
  • Develop and assist with other non-dues revenue generating ideas, e.g., advertising through web or email, CD's of WIP or other programs, newsletter advertising, meeting sponsorships. Number of Volunteers & Preferred Experience: any volunteer with interest or experience in starting or assisting with marketing projects.
  • Assist with publication of annual directory. Number of Volunteers & Preferred Experience: one to two persons with strong organizational and editing skills and the ability to commit to a project in the latter half of the year.
  • Develop and assist with member communications - Web content, email, monthly meetings, and newsletter. Number of Volunteers & Preferred Experience: one to two persons with an interest or experience with corporate communications.

Contact Person: Dave Furlan and Cassy Barbic (Board Member).

SHRM Student Chapters Looking for Summer 2005 Internships

The Student Relations Committee, in conjunction with the student SHRM chapters, is asking for your help to provide area HR students with valuable internship experiences. Students from UW-Whitewater, UW-Madison and UW-Platteville are looking for summer internships and full-time entry-level HR positions. If your company has summer internship opportunities or entry level HR positions available, please forward the information to Cassie Fry at nutts06@yahoo.com so that information can be passed along to the student chapters.

Your Foundation at Work: HR in Alignment
By Rachel R. Steger, PHR

The Foundation recently produced a new video entitled "HR in Alignment: The Link to Business Results". Narrated by Dr. Wayne Cascio, this DVD presents a real-world case study of Sysco Food Services Company. It explains how Sysco is successfully measuring the business impact of its HR strategy and aligning its mission throughout the organization, from top executives, to front-line employees, to customers. This product compliments the very successful "HR Role Models" DVD introduced by the Foundation in 2003. A valuable resource for chapter programs and professional development, the video was distributed free to attendees at the 2004 SHRM Leadership Conference, and is now available for purchase through the SHRMStore.

The SHRM Foundation: Investing in Your Future as an HR Leader

Regional Scholarships

Did you know... The SHRM Foundation provides $30,000 annually to fund the Regional Scholarship Program? The scholarships support SHRM members working full-time and pursuing HR degrees or professional certification.

Each of the five SHRM regions receives $6,000 to award to applicants in their part of the country. SHRM members, chapters and state councils may submit an application to SHRM by May 1 for consideration. Scholarship applications and complete details are available online at www.shrm.org/foundation under "Education Grants and Scholarships."

HR InTouch Guidelines

Article Writing:
Do you have an interest in writing for the HR InTouch? We have an interest in learning more about your area of expertise!

Why should you volunteer? Top three reasons: 1) To share your knowledge and experiences to educate others. 2) To become more connected in the HR and Dane County communities. 3) To contribute towards the advancement of GMA SHRM and the HR profession.

The first step is for you to choose a submission option: you can pre-submit an article to GMA SHRM at any time for us to use in any of the upcoming newsletters, you can sign up to write for a particular month, or we can put you on a list of people to contact in future months whenever we need articles.

Article length:
Because the HR InTouch is now in an online format, the size is flexible. The article should be engaging and hold readers' attention. Include the core information in your article, and we will advise if it is too lengthy.

Solicitation:
GMA SHRM conscious not to allow solicitation through the articles, in an effort to protect the interests of our partners and members. The nature of the article should be educational (i.e., what are the business advantages of having a product like yours) or informational. Otherwise, if you truly are interested in advertising through the HR InTouch, you can work with our Marketing Committee. As a rule of thumb for article writing, if the submission relates to a for-profit event, or specifically markets your company (vs. your industry), it is an advertisement, and should be purchased. If it is a not-for-profit event that your company is hosting, or an announcement (i.e., a SHRM member recently joined your company), it is an acceptable addition to the HR InTouch content. If you have any questions related to the appropriateness of your submission, please contact us.

If you have questions, or to submit an article, contact GMA SHRM at chapteradmin@gmashrm.org.

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