December 2007 Program
RVSHRM HOLIDAY SOCIAL

You are invited to attend a Holiday Social for members and guests of Roanoke Valley Society for Human Resource Management at the Hotel Roanoke.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 3:00—6:00 PM
FREE, but you must RSVP

Our own Dan Semones will D.J. and play karaoke. There will also be a cash bar and a Silent Auction to benefit the SHRM foundation. Please come join your RVSHRM friends and colleagues for some Holiday Cheer!!
 
If you have any questions or wish to donate an item for the Silent Auction, please contact Donna Tatum at 540-389-8979 or donna.tatum@expresspersonnel.com.
RSVP no later than Friday. December 14, 2007, by emailing Joy Hanson at jhanson@iamrrha.org, or register online and mark your payment by check as there is no charge for members.  There is, however, a $10.00 charge for non-member guest, collected at the door.  See you there!

The November meeting was designated as Diversity for the RVSHRM chapter. Our Diversity Committee selected the program and presented a dynamic speaker, Mauricio Velasquez.  Mauricio spoke to us about “Creating Momentum for your Workplace Diversity Program.”   He shared some wonderful stories and gave us suggestions/ideas on how we can create a workplace that has an inclusive strategic plan, including mentoring, diversity training, etc.  Hopefully, we are able to view things differently based on the information we received from Mauricio.

Thanks to the Debbie Reid and the diversity committee for making this program a success.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you, the members of the RVSHRM chapter for allowing me to serve as your Chapter President for 2007.  It has been a wonderful experience for me and I have enjoyed meeting and talking with each of you.
I’ve also had the privilege of being a part of and working with the greatest board members. Thank you for your support over the last year.

We are looking to fill the following board positions:
Treasurer    
Foundation
Technology
Marketing
If you have an interest in these positions please contact Johna Campbell (540) 966-1470 or Barbara Phelps (540) 345-5747.

Again, thanks to each of you and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season. 

Barbara Phelps
President

HOTEL ROANOKE, NOVEMBER 27, 2007
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The following Board Members were in attendance:
Barbara Phelps, Johna Campbell, Sandy Hamilton, Michelle Glynn, Debbie Reid, Donna Tatum, Jaime Martis Clark, Debbie Honaker, Joy Hanson, Dan Oyler, Lauren Prada, and Kim Carte.

The meeting was called to order by Barbara Phelps, 2007 President.

Motion was made by Debbie Reid and seconded by Johna Campbell to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2007 meeting. The motion was passed.

Michelle Glynn reported that Installation of Officers for our Student Chapter will be held at 6:00 p.m., November 27th, at Virginia Western Community College. Board Members are asked to attend this installation. Michelle will sell candy bars at today’s meeting as a fund raiser for the Student Chapter. Also, the Student Chapter members have been collecting items for our December Silent Auction and will bring them to tonight’s Installation of Officers.

Lauren Prada reported that the Workforce Development presentation at William Byrd was a huge success. The presentation lasted for one and one-half hours and was presented to approximately 300 students. Roanoke City Schools has requested that RVSHRM participate in a mock-interviewing session in 2008.

Joy Hanson reported that one advisor from the Student Chapter at Virginia Western will have her luncheon paid for by RVSHRM. She also announced that the Silent Auction would be held December 18th, Hotel Roanoke, 3:00-6:00 p.m. $2,600 has been budgeted for this event. One drink ticket will be furnished to each attendee. Hidden Valley Country Club is the tentative location for the February, 2008, meeting.

Donna Tatum announced that photos from the September meeting may be used for the third banner, and hopefully this banner will be completed by the end of 2007. New stationary with the new SHRM logo will be ordered. Donna also requested that money be made available for purchasing several items for the Silent Auction. Requests for Silent Auction items will be made by broadcast e-mail. Dan Semones will be the DJ at the Silent Auction. No raffle will be held at today’s meeting.

Dan Oyler reported on the ongoing class for re-certification. This class has approximately ten participants.

Debbie Reid announced that the diversity survey will be sent out as soon as possible.

Johna Campbell reported that the Technical Education meeting was well attended. Suggestions on RVSHRM participation may include time devoted to a program on this subject in 2008 and members be made available to speak to parents, teachers and students.

Johna Campbell reported on the Leadership Conference.

Barbara Phelps reported that the Nominating Committee has been working on the slate of officers for 2008. Board Members will be furnished a copy of the proposed slate next week. Dan Oyler will e-mail each Board Member a copy of the by-laws.

Junior Achievement has requested a $500 donation for 2008 to be paid by
June 30th, 2008. This donation will be budgeted for 2008.

All guests will continue to pay $25 per meeting. It was proposed that a meeting in 2008 feature a “bring a prospective member” and the chapter consider paying for the prospective guests/members’ luncheons.

Roanoke College has e-mailed Barbara Phelps concerning re-establishing the Roanoke College Student Chapter. Michelle Glynn and Barbara Phelps will meet with the advisor to discuss the future of the Chapter.

Barbara Phelps has a request from Lori Cummings regarding RVSHRM sponsoring and financing a wage survey. Barbara will request additional information concerning this request and report back to the Board.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandy Hamilton
Secretary

Universal Human Rights Month

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN in 1948 as a response to the Nazi holocaust and to set a standard by which the human rights activities of all nations, rich and poor alike, are to be measured. http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

4-11 – Hanukkah (Jewish) - Hanukkah (Hebrew word for dedication) begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. It lasts for eight days beginning at sunset the previous day and is also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah celebrates the victory (165 BCE) of the Maccabees over the Syrian tyrant Antiochus IV and the subsequent reclamation of Jerusalem. According to the Talmud, only a one day supply of nondesecrated oil was found in the Temple when the Maccabees prepared it for rededication by removing all Syrian idols. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days until oil that was fit for use in the temple could be obtained. This miracle is commemorated by the lighting of the Hanukkah candles. The candles are placed on the menorah or hanukkiya, a nine-branch candelabrum. During Hanukkah, gifts are exchanged and children often play the dreidl game.

16-25 - Las Posadas (Mexico) - Las Posadas (Spanish for "the inn") is a traditional Mexican festival which re-enacts Joseph's search for room at the inn. Each Christmas season, a processional carrying a doll representing the Christ Child and images of Joseph and Mary riding a burro walks through the community streets. The processional stops at a previously selected home and asks for lodging for the night. The people are invited in to read scriptures and sing Christmas carols called villancicos. Refreshments are provided by the hosts. The doll is left at the chosen home and picked up on the next night when the processional begins again. This continues for eight nights in commemoration of the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

20 - Eid Al Adha (Islam) - Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar. It concludes the Pilgrimmage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha lasts for three days and commemorates Ibraham's (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. Muslims believe the son to be Ishmael rather than Isaac as told in the Old Testament. Ishmael is considered the forefather of the Arabs. According to the Koran, Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to sacrifice a ram instead. The feast re-enacts Ibrahim's obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram. The family eats about a third of the meal and donates the rest to the poor.

25 – Christmas (Christian) - The birth of Jesus Christ has been celebrated by Christians for more than 1600 years. Christmas (from Old English Cristes maesse or "Mass of Christ") is observed annually on December 25 although the exact date of Christ's birth is not known. The Christmas season begins on the First Sunday of Advent and ends on Epiphany.
 
26 – Kwanza - Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural festival beginning on December 26 and ending on January 1. The festival was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga. Dr. Karenga's goal was to establish a holiday that would facilitate African-American goals of building a strong family, learning about African-American history, and developing unity.

Support your Local Chapter and National SHRM Foundation

Thanksgiving is behind us and the turkey is gone for now. The Christmas decorations are going up and the seasonal songs are on the radio. This means it is time for our annual Christmas Party and Foundation Fundraiser! The items are starting to roll in so mark your calendar for December 18th from 3 til 6pm at The Hotel Roanoke. Join us and pick up a nice gift for someone on your list or something for yourself, like a Spa gift certificate (you deserve it).
Enjoy seasonal music, karaoke and good food with your friends as we celebrate the season and the end of another year.

More items are needed for the silent auction, contact me and I will be happy to make arrangements to have it picked up. Your support is greatly appreciated.

If you would like to donate a product, service or item to the Chapter please contact Donna Tatum at 540-389-8979 or donna.tatum@expresspersonnel.com.

Meeting Reservation Reminder
From Joy Hanson, VP Arrangements

November’s meeting had 97 members in attendance! The highest attendance since February of this year. When so many are expected in one place, it is even more important to remember to make a reservation for the meeting to ensure smooth flow at the registration table. Please register with me by the Friday before the meeting as that is when the Hotel needs our expected count. If you have not contacted me before the meeting or are a walk-in with no reservation, please expect to wait to see if you can fill the spot of a “no show.” The Hotel informed me they prepare enough lunch plates for what is reserved, but there is no guarantee that much extra will be prepared. Thanks for your cooperation…and have a great week!

Constitution and By-Laws of the
Roanoke Valley Society for Human Resource Management
Click for a PDF

HRM Certificate Program
Begins in January

Mary Baldwin College will offer its HRM Certificate Program in Roanoke beginning on January 24, 2008. This popular 13-week course will meet once per week on Thursday nights from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at WDBJ/Channel 7’s Community Room. Dan Oyler will facilitate the preparation course for HR professionals interested in sitting for the PHR or SPHR exam. Participants will receive a certificate from the college and CEUs. For more information or to register, visit Mary Baldwin’s Web site at www.mbc.edu/learninc or call Dan Dowdy at 767-6173.