Volume 10 Issue 3

March 2005

RVSHRM is an
Affiliate of

President's Message | Treasurer's Report | Announcements | Board Minutes
Members in the News | New Members & Changes
 

Monthly Program by Johna Campbell

March 2005 Program Tuesday, March 22, 2005 CLARION HOTEL Registration: 11:30 a.m. • Networking: 11:30 a.m. - Noon • Lunch: Noon Program immediately following lunch.    The key to successful employee retention is not what you think! The Employers of Choice have figured it out: IT’S OUR MANAGERS….. Featuring: Jack Smalley, SPHR Sponsored by: Express Personnel Services This dynamic session includes information from many of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies and their proven practices, which have paved the way for them to become America’s employers of choice. We will discuss the latest non-traditional methods to improve recruiting and retention, and new innovative approaches to the most important need, employee recognition. There will be dialog on the latest survey findings detailing why employees are leaving companies and especially why employees are choosing to stay while even rejecting higher salary offers. We will analyze the common denominators among America’s best that have the greatest impact on employee morale such as internal hiring, employee referral programs, and how to give your new employee the “red carpet” treatment. We will present innovative ways to improve your exit interview process and how to regularly gauge employee needs and morale as they apply to the four generations currently in today’s workforce.  There will also be thorough discussion on whether employees are quitting the company or quitting their manager and the need to become organizationally diverse. Be prepared to think out of the box and walk away with many new ideas and proven strategies which support your company’s efforts to recruit and retain the best employees. Please make reservations by utilizing the event reservation form or e-mailing Joyce Kessinger at jkessinger@boxley.com. Please include "RVSHRM RSVP" in the subject line. Registration Deadline is Wednesday, March 16th. April 2005 Meeting Thursday April 14, 2005 Hotel Roanoke Registration: 2:30 p.m. • Presentation: 3:00 - 5:15 p.m. • Networking: 5:15 p.m. Power, Politics and Influence What They Don't Teach You in Business School Presented by Ms. Margaret Morford Please click here to download a PDF version of the program information. Please make reservations by utilizing the event reservation form or e-mailing Joyce Kessinger at jkessinger@boxley.com. Please include "RVSHRM RSVP" in the subject line. Registration Deadline is Wednesday, April 6th.

President's Message by Sarah Wilson

If you missed the February meeting, you missed a very informative discussion regarding Virginia’s New Career Readiness Certificate. The Career Readiness certificate was created to assist employers in the recruitment process by certifying that a recipient possesses competency skills in Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information. Dr. Barbara Bolin, Special Advisor to the Governor for Workforce Development was witty and charming, while emphasizing the need for those critical skills that are necessary to survive in today’s job market. The web address for Dr. Bolin’s information is http://www.vccs.edu/workforce /kaleidoscope/, and the slides from the presentation are at http://www.vec.virginia.gov/vecportal/vwc/ You can also contact Virginia Western Community College regarding Work Keys and Career Readiness Certificate at rhendrick@vw.vccs.edu    The networking exercise (which the program committee is trying to institute at each meeting) involved telling each other our worst interview stories. We could all write a book on the stories we have heard in interviews. It was good to share “war stories” from the trenches.    As I prepare for my interview next week for The Job Market regarding who and what we are as a chapter, and what membership in the chapter means, it is a time of reflection for me on what we as Human Resource professionals do on a daily basis for our organizations. Leading change comes to mind first, and I know that your organization is changing just as fast as mine, as evidenced from the broadcast e-mails I get daily from the membership. The topics change from day to day (policies on absenteeism, procedures on compensation plans, a vendor for picture ID’s) but the feeling stays the same, each of us knowing that we do not have to “reinvent the wheel”, because we can reach out and ask for help from our colleagues. Without exception I have always gotten 10 to 12 responses to anything I have ask for either in the form of e-mail, fax, or phone call. The same is true of the National SHRM web site. I have used the Information Center on more than one occasion, just typed in the situation/question and within 24 hours I have on my computer the very answer I needed to move forward on a project. The point is I do not have to do it alone. If you are not taking advantage of this networking tool I urge you to do so. Send your request for information to Patti Dunbar at Patti.Dunbar@longandfoster.com, she will send it out for you and all the responses will come directly to you. Also if you receive a broadcast e-mail, and you have that policy, or that vendor, take a few minutes to share that information. You never know when you may need something, and you just hope someone out there has the answer.  As I have said before, this is your organization. You will only get out of it what you put into it.  See you at the Clarion Hotel on March 22, 2005  Sarah L. Wilson, SPHR President 2005

Treasurer's Report By Debbie Honaker

RVSHRM TREASURER'S REPORT FOR: February 2005 Balance as of January 31, 2005 $23,366.99 INCOME Monthly Meeting $1,651.47 Raffle for SHRM Foundation $95.00 Membership $4,004.90 National Member $145.00 Refund from Membership Committee $113.12 Total Income $6,009.49 Balance $29,376.48 EXPENSES Monthly Meeting $1,626.90 Merchant Bank fees $41.35 SHRM Foundation (donation) $112.75 State Council Dues $283.00 National Dues $145.00 Membership Committee Packets $14.66 Legislative Conference Registration $750.00 National Conference Registration $920.00 Website/Newsletter $310.50 State Council Meeting Expense $144.00 Gift to Raffle $19.95 Speaker and Past President Gifts $371.04 Junior Achievement Donation $500.00 Printing For April Meeting $51.45 Total Expenses $5,290.60 Balances as of February 28, 2005 BALANCE OF CHECKING ACCOUNT $24,085.88 MONEY MARKET BALANCE $2,548.75 CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT BALANCE $11,920.79 BALANCE OF ALL RVSHRM ACCOUNTS $38,555.42

Board Meeting Minutes by Sandy Hamilton

Minutes from Board Meeting February 22, 2005 Hotel Roanoke – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The following Board members were in attendance: Sarah Wilson, Sharon Bowers, Mike Leach, Sandy Hamilton, Debbie Honaker, Johna Campbell, Donna Tatum, Matt Duffy, Patti Dunbar, Joy Hanson, Dan Oyler, Barbara Phelps, Joyce Kessinger, Kathy Claytor, Dan Semones, Charlotte Mason, and Lauren Prada (representing Beth Pinson). Sarah Wilson, 2005 President, called the meeting to order. Motion was made by Dan Oyler and seconded by Matt Duffy to approve the January 25, 2005 Board minutes. The motion was passed. Debbie Honaker, Treasurer, reported that the budget would be ready in a week to ten days. A copy will be sent to Board members for approval by the next meeting. Debbie will also review suggestions for accounting software and report findings at the next meeting. Dan Oyler submitted the change to the by-laws. Motion was made by Mike Leach and seconded by Joyce Kessinger to amend the by-laws by adding the right for Associate Members to vote and hold office. Board members voted unanimously to pass the resolution.  Joyce Kessinger reported that the Clarion and Wyndham had been contacted about hosting our March meeting. Hotel Roanoke has advised they now have space for the meeting. After discussion, it was decided to hold the March meeting at the Clarion. An Italian buffet will be offered. Joyce Kessinger submitted summary of fixed costs and food and drink options for the social to be held after the April 14th meeting. It was agreed that the cost for attendees should be held at $15.00 and at least one free drink ticket be offered in the options. Johna Campbell submitted the flyer for the April meeting featuring Margaret Morford as guest speaker. She also submitted the meeting topic sheet for the calendar year. A legislative update must be added to the program for the year, and it was suggested that the December meeting/social be reinstated. Motion was made by Sharon Bowers and seconded by Barbara Phelps that pens engraved with the HR logo be purchased from the SHRM website for about $25 as gifts for the speakers. Board members voted unanimously to pass the resolution. Donna Tatum presented printing quotes for the new RVSHRM brochure. Salem Printing will print 1,000 brochures for $403 or 2,000 brochures for $458. These brochures will be used for business expositions, HR professionals, TAP job fairs, new member packages, mailing to membership lists (Chamber, etc.) and at-large members. Motion was made by Mike Leach and seconded by Dan Oyler to purchase 1,000 brochures. Board members voted unanimously to pass the resolution. Joe Farmer from Express Personnel will be taking pictures of this month’s meeting for the new brochure and for photos for the new CD. The new brochure will be a full-color tri-fold, 8 l/2 x 11. We discussed having photos of our meeting inside the brochure and on the front and/or a Roanoke scene on the front. Copy should be available by the March meeting. A discussion was held on submitting articles to The Job Market. We are going with an affiliated logo, and there is no commitment for number of times articles must be submitted. Sarah Wilson will talk with Alisha Lovern in March on The Job Market issues. Dan Oyler and Donna Tatum will review the articles submitted. Also, someone in the field might be contacted to review the article. We will announce the opportunity of submitting the articles to the membership. Donna will also be faxing information to the Roanoke Tribune about our meeting. Dan Semones presented information on the 2006 conference. The 2005 conference wants an ad for the 2006 conference. Donna Tatum and Dan Oyler presented the “Reaching for the Star” theme and announcement for the 2006 conference. We have a contract with Hotel Roanoke for the 2006 conference. Committee chairpersons are as follows: Program Committee – Diane Casola Arrangements – Joyce Kessinger Door Prize – Lauren Prada/Charlotte Mason Treasurer – Debbie Honaker Sponsorship – Open Registration – Sharon Bowers A table or some type of exhibit will be at the 2005 conference advertising the 2006 conference. Applications may be picked up for presenters and exhibitors. Troy Evans (former bank robber) has made request to be a speaker. Free registration for 2006 conference was suggested as gift/door prize for the 2005 conference. Also, a trinket of some kind should be presented. The Tourist Bureau should be contacted for materials to take to the 2005 conference. Mike Leach announced that we have 160 members (16 new members). 144 of 283 have renewed their membership. It was suggested that an additional e-mail be sent regarding membership renewals and a deadline for payment be given. Motion was made by Dan Oyler and seconded by Mike Leach that non-renewed members be de-activated April 1st. The motion was unanimously passed. Lauren Prada, representing Beth Pinson, announced that the $500 donation would be presented to JA at today’s meeting. Bruce Wood and Beth Pinson are the Chamber Workforce Readiness chairpersons. Lauren suggested that business dinners be planned where companies could be brought to students. Chapter members will be asked to volunteer to go these dinners and have presentations on soft skills. Newsletter articles will ask for volunteers and give details on these dinners. There is also a movement to fold Workforce Readiness into SOL’s so it is in the curriculum. Kathy Claytor announced that the faculty advisor and seven Roanoke College students are attending this month’s meeting. These visitors will be recognized individually and as a group. Barbara Phelps of the Diversity Committee is still looking for volunteers for her committee. It was announced that the application for membership asks for interest in committee participation. These volunteers need to be recognized. Therefore, Mike Leach will send list of those interested in committees. Becky Reynolds of Fred Whitaker has made laminated nametags for Board members. We were reminded that the cost for sponsorship of a RVSHRM meeting is $150 for regular meetings and $300 for special events. ASTD is interested in sponsoring a meeting. Johna Campbell announced that tent cards have been placed on meeting tables with suggestions for conversation before the meeting. These suggestions hopefully will foster group interaction. Sarah Wilson announced that she, Charlotte Mason and Sandy Hamilton are active members of The Roanoke Partnership for Employed Caregivers. She needs 12-15 volunteers to act as a focus group for the toolkit review. This meeting will be held March 23rd from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. She will ask for volunteers at today’s meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Sandy Hamilton, Secretary

Announcements

Dear Fellow HR professionals: Several of the members of the RVSHRM chapter have been working for the last year on a project called "The Partnership for Employed Caregivers" it is a Roanoke based project focused on Eldercare in the Roanoke Valley. Our goals are to assist employers of the Roanoke Valley through education, awareness, and support. And to enhance the well being and effectiveness of their employees who are engaged in eldercare.  The Partnership has put together a "Toolkit" to help business with this issue (you know us HR people we love those toolkits). What we needed are some volunteers to participate in a focus group to review these tools. If you are interested in participating in the focus group, which will be held on March 23, 2005 from 9am-11am at the Franklin Plaza Building at 111 Franklin Road (the Franklin Plaza building is the mirrored building at the corner of Franklin and Williamson) downtown Roanoke, please let me know. We need 12-15 people to review these materials. You can call me at 540-380-6587 or e-mail me at swilson@richfieldretirement.com. Thanks for your support of this very important project. Just as childcare issues was a hot topic not that many years ago, as our Baby Boomers age, employees taking care of their elderly parents will become just as important.  Sarah L. Wilson Workforce Readiness Committee A special Thank you to Lauren Prada, (Workforce Committee Member) for making the presentation to Laura Elliott with JR. Achievement on behalf of our SHRM Chapter. Laura shared that they were thrilled with our support of Jr. Achievement and with our donation of $500.00. Thank you again to the membership for your approval of our donation request.   Bruce Woods and I have been asked to co-chair the Workforce Board for the Roanoke Chamber. In the past they had educators chair the committee and wanted to have some business influence going forward. I am looking forward to the synergy SHRM and the Chamber can enjoy together. We have traditionally done a program called “Business Dinners.” Many of your companies have supported the program by inviting educators into your place of business. You have shared what your business does and what your employment environment is all about. We will continue to do this program, so if you are interested in show casing your company so educators can better share what employers in our valley are looking for please contact Bruce or I directly. A new program we are looking into is one that does very much the same thing, but for College Students and we hope to expand it to Jr.’s and Sr.’s in High Schools. We still need to iron out the details, but more than likely we will ask you to go to the students and make presentations about your company and your HR needs.   Rick Calhoun, Blue Ridge Technical School arranged a meeting for our committee with William Byrd High School. He is interested in learning more about the presentations we are making in other High Schools in the area. These presentations focus on work ethic and basic skills like how to interview to get the position and more. When this opportunity takes off I am certain we will need to have our membership volunteer your time, no more than an hour to make the presentations. We will have an outline prepared for you that has met Dr. Turner’s approval.   March 16th at the Hidden Valley Auditorium Judge Trompeter will be making a presentation to parents and adults about what our youth are really facing today and what we as adults can do to help. I encourage you to attend this very important meeting. Flyers will be sent to all the area High Schools and Jr. High Schools. Adecco will be providing refreshments to encourage communication about the issues after the presentation. If your company would like to help, please contact Beth Pinson 989-3562. We know that work ethic and good life choices begin before a person begins their career of choice. Our hope is that SHRM can be a positive influence on young adults and to encourage them to stay in the valley and work once they complete higher education, or if they choose to go directly into the workforce.   I look forward to working with you soon. Please look for a volunteer sign up table as you enter the March meeting.   Beth Pinson Member Birthdays See the Birthday List in the left column. The Board thought it might be a nice idea to list member birthdays each month in the newsletter. If you see that it's a friend's birthday, feel free to send a card, make a phone call, or even bake a cake for that person! In order to start the birthday list idea, we need for all members to update their member profiles on the web site. Click here to go to the "Update Your Member Record" section of the site. Your log-in is the first initial of your first name and your whole last name. The password is rvshrm. Click "Edit My Info" and your profile will pop up. Scroll down to enter your birth month and day. And, please check the accuracy of your other information as well. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Joy Hanson, Newsletter Editor, at jhanson@rkeauthority.org or 983-9216. Thank you. Time to renew your membership in RVSHRM! We were proud to count you as one of the Chapter's 278 members in 2004 and look forward to your active involvement in 2005. With your help, we can continue to find tangible, effective ways to support the professional growth of persons like you who are pursuing human resource careers in the Valley. For your convenience, we have mailed to you a Membership Renewal Invoice. You may return the Invoice to the Chapter's post office box with your check or, if you prefer, renew your membership through the Chapter's web site using a credit card. However you choose to respond, do so soon. We don't want you to miss a single benefit of Chapter membership. (Remember to include your SHRM Membership Number and SHRM Membership Expiration Date. RVSHRM is a "100%" chapter-all RVSHRM members must also be current members of SHRM.) Questions? If so, feel free to contact Mike Leach at mleach@advanceautoparts.com. The Roanoke Chapter Sponsors Memberships In 2004, the Roanoke Chapter will sponsor memberships for several HR Professionals whose employers do not fund their National and Local SHRM memberships. Through these one-year memberships, the Chapter hopes to better serve the community and to reach persons engaged daily in the field of HR who may not currently be participating in the either organization.  Recipients of the Chapter-sponsored memberships will be expected to pay their own fees for the Chapter’s monthly luncheons and other events. They will not be identified to Chapter members as recipients of sponsored memberships. Persons interested in applying for the one-year membership should submit the following items as soon as possible: · Letter of interest, describing their current position and the   benefits they hope to receive from National and Local   SHRM membership · Resume  · Letter of recommendation from their employer that includes   confirmation their memberships will not be employer-paid. If you’re interested, please contact Barbara Phelps, Matt Duffy, or Debra Lovelace. Funds available for this new program are limited, so you are encouraged to act promptly to ensure your request is fully considered.

Members in the News

Members—Please help us highlight Chapter members who have something to celebrate. If you have information on yourself or others you’d like to share, let us know. Job changes, awards, achievements, family additions, unique experiences . . . we’re interested in all of them. Contact Mike Leach at mleach@advanceautoparts.com or (540) 561-6899.

New & Returning Members & Changes

How about a date? That is, an update of your Member Profile! Your fellow members in RVSHRM use the member information at RVSHRM.org daily to locate names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Is the information posted on you correct? Does it correctly reflect your name, title, employer, mailing address, phone numbers and e-mail address? Is the picture listed with your name a picture of you? Checking your Member Profile takes only about a minute. Adding or correcting information takes but a moment more. Here’s how to do it: To check your Member Profile Click on “Members Only Enter Here” Click on “Update Your Membership Record” Enter your login and password • Your login is your first initial and last name. For example,   “jsmith” for John Smith. • Your password is “rvshrm”. • Enter your first name or your last name in the “Search” box • Click on your name (there may be several persons with   the same first or last name) • Check the accuracy of the information displayed To update your Member Profile • Click on “Edit My Information” • Revise any outdated information • Click on the “Update” icon at bottom of page   (don’t forget this step!) That’s all there is to it. You can repeat the process as often as necessary to keep your Member Profile accurate. Still unsure you want to try it? Give Mike Leach, Chair of the Membership Committee a call and he’ll walk you through the process, or send him an e-mail with the correct information and he’ll update your Member Profile for you. You can reach Mike at (540) 561-6899 and mleach@advanceautoparts.com