May-June
MID-HUDSON VALLEY SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
2006
WELCOME to Valley Views, the newsletter of the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. We look forward to your comments, suggestions and articles.
“STEP UP TO THE PLATE” - A GRAND SLAM!
STEP UP TO THE PLATE, MHVSHRM’s Full-Day Conference, held April 27, 2006, at the Gardens on Catlin Creek, proved to be a grand slam. Feedback from attendees was glowing! Comments on attendees’ evaluations included ~~ About Yvonne Conti: “I will be contacting Oprah - hope to see her on Oprah and again at another SHRM event.” “Loved her! Made me do belly laughs.” “Very good presenter. Yvonne used several examples of humor of everyday life to get her valuable points across.” “Fantastic - now I have to put it into practice.” “Excellent, excellent, excellent.” About Coralie Rogers: “Great points and very thought provoking.” “Very informative.” “Good presenter, discussing proven methods of influencing and building relationships in the workplace and personal life.” “Informative and relatable to work/personal life.” About Peter Coombs: “Peter’s nine steps will provide conference attendees useful tools to assist in making a successful presentation.” “Very good tips for a successful presentation.” “Most practical.” “Excellent information.” About the overall conference: “Well organized! Topics were essentially vital to personal development.” “What a wonderful job. Superb lineup. Thank you.” “As usual, MHVSHRM has done a fantastic job.” The Conference Committee was pleased to be able to provide such a first-rate conference to HR and other business professionals in the Mid-Hudson Valley. We would also again like to thank the Conference Sponsors. Without their valuable support, the Chapter could not provide such excellent programming. In return, we encourage you to support them. Grand Slam Sponsor - ROSE AND KIERNAN, INC., INSURANCE, SURETY & BENEFIT SVCS. Home Run Sponsor - Jackson Lewis, LLP Triple Sponsors - Ameriprise Financial, Kaatskill Mountain Club, McDonald Financial Group, Metlife Financial Services, Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, PSG International, Inc., PayPro Services Double Sponsors - Adecco Staffing, Affinity Advantage, AFLAC, The Coffee System Co., The Fontana Group, Here’s Help Staffing, Quade Consulting, Sirota-Survey Intelligence, Stanley-Marks & Co., LLP, Full Page Advertiser - Nater Associates Half Page Advertisers - Bon Secours Health System, Keller Williams Agency, Knapp Consultants, Left Brain Leverage, WalMart, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
2006 MHV SHRM BOARD & CHAIRS
PRESIDENT – John Fontana The Fontana Group 845.729.5818 john.fontana@employeestrategy.com PRESIDENT-ELECT – Laurie Davidson Occupations, Inc. 845.820.1534 ldavidson@occupations.org VICE PRESIDENT – Shelly Sherfey 845.987.1617 sherf@warwick.net COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR – Karen Wutch Eastern Alloys, Inc. 845.427.2151 kwutch@eazall.com TREASURER – Andrea Pfleger 845-782-8337 pfleger1@frontiernet.net PAST PRESIDENT – Barbara Aimone, SPHR Woodbury Common Premium Outlets 845.928.7467 barb_mhvshrm@yahoo.com LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS CHAIR – Patrick J. Clark, SPHR Bon Secours Charity Health System 845.987.5186 pclark@tshs.org DIVERSITY CHAIR – Marion Gaglione Orange and Rockland Utilities 845.577.2755 mgaglione@oru.com CERTIFICATION CHAIR Jodie-Beth Galos, Esq, SPHR. Galos & Associates, LLC 860.435.4910 Jodie-beth@jbgalos.com W ORKFORCE READINESS CHAIR – Andrea Pfleger 845.782.8337 pfleger1@frontiernet.net HOSPITALITY CHAIR – Pat Higgins, SPHR pmhiggins7@aol.com SHRM FOUNDATION CHAIR – Laurie Davidson Occupations, Inc. 845.820.1535 ldavidson@occupations.org COLLEGE RELATIONS CHAIR – Christy Malone PSG International, Inc. Cell: (914) 213-5390 cmalone@hvc.rr.com NEWSLETTER & W EBSITE CHAIR – Barbara Aimone, SPHR Woodbury Common Premium Outlets 845.928.7467 barb_mhvshrm@yahoo.com MEMBERSHIP CHAIR – Margaret Diver Diversified Staffing 845.725.7957 divstaffing@frontiernet.net
Diversity Matters
Visit the SHRM Diversity Focus Area at www.shrm.org/diversity. This excellent Focus Area always features excellent articles pertaining to all aspects of diversity. A sampling of the current articles includes: Opportunities in Diversity Training, EEOC Roundtable Highlights Inclusive Emergency Plans, GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) Employees More Comfortable at Work, EEOC: Summer Employment Is Serious Business, The Age Equity Balancing Act and numerous others. The featured article in the June 2006 Diversity Focus Area is Paving the Way for the Visually Impaired, by Rebecca R. Hastings. She leads readers to a free online video from the American Foundation for the Blind, A Hire Vision: What Employers Want to Know About Hiring Visually Impaired Workers and a free brochure, Do the Rules Change When You Hire a Person Who is Blind or Visually Impaired? At the Diversity Focus Area you can also sign up for SHRM’s free monthly Diversity newsletter which highlighting current diversity articles. . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MID-HUDSON VALLEY CHAPTER
SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
NEW WEBSITE & NEW WEB ADDRESS WWW.MHVSHRM.ORG
ADD OUR WEBSITE TO YOUR FAVORITES
MHVSHRM ANNOUNCES NEW TREASURER
Tune into the CEO Exchange on Public Television (PBS.) SHRM, as the exclusive sponsor of this series, “hopes to raise the visibility of the HR profession and highlight the importance of effective human capital strategies.” Each episode features indepth interviews of two internationally recognized CEOs. “Each hour-long program reveals the personal side of these leaders, as discussion goes beyond strategic and financial matters into questions of social responsibility, workplace ethics, and the effort to balance work and life.” (SHRM) The most recent segment was aired on our local PBS station (Channel 13) on Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 2:00 pm. The segment, HIGH ENERGY: Putting the Brakes on Fuel and Transportation Costs, featured Southwest Airlines’ CEO, Gary Kelly and recently retired CEO of Valero Energy Corp, William Greehey. The next episode scheduled to air on Saturday, June 24 at 2:00 pm is STAKING A CLAIM TO THE FUTURE: Putting Technology in Good Hands. Future 2006 programs include: DOWN MAIN st STREET: The Bank and the Drugstore in the 21 Century, THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT!: New Ways to Enjoy TV, Movies, and Music, THE PROGNOSIS FOR HEALTH CARE: Is the Industry Alive and Well?, THE DREAM TEAM: Turning Big Ideas into Multibillion Dollar Businesses. Log onto www.pbs.org/wttw/ceoexchange/ to learn when these future episodes will be broadcast in our area. Encourage your staff, managers and members of your organizations’ C-suite to watch these programs, as well. DVDs of past programs are available for purchase through the PBS website. Each segment is filmed at a major business school around the country. SHRM members are invited and encouraged to attend the taping sessions. John Fontana, the President of MHVSHRM, had an opportunity to attend one of the CEO Exchange taping sessions at Columbia University. Log onto www.shrm.org/ceoexchange to learn about future taping sessions. Christopher Young, who has done an excellent job as Treasurer of MHVSHRM for several years, has recently resigned as Treasurer due to work demands. Thank you, Chris, for all your hard work, input and direction as Treasurer.
Andrea Pfleger, was appointed interim Treasurer at the June Board meeting, in keeping with the Chapter’s ByLaws. As many of you know, Andrea has been very active in the Chapter as Workforce Readiness Chair and also cochaired the 2006 Conference Committee. She will continue to serve as the Chapter’s Workforce Readiness Chair. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MID-HUDSON VALLEY SHRM Congratulates SUNY New Paltz Student Chapter
We are pleased to announce that the Management Association (MA), the SHRM Student Chapter at SUNY New Paltz, has earned the Superior Merit Award designation for 2005-2006. They have earned this designation for the fourth consecutive year! Winning a Superior Merit Award places SUNY New Paltz in the top 24 percent of all student chapters nationwide. The designation was awarded to only eighteen collegiate chapters in the Northeast region. "Our students did an outstanding job this year. Their activities were particularly innovative and creative. They are most deserving of the Superior Merit Award,” said chapter advisor and assistant professor of management, Kristin Backhaus. MA organizes numerous educational activities for students each year including the annual Student Development Day. In April of 2006, MA’s HR Games team advanced to the semi-finals at the regional HR Games competition in Glassboro, New Jersey. Other recent initiatives by MA included an “In the Office” workshop mini-series consisting of reality skits, HR scenarios, and plot lines to educate students about real life work experiences.
HR JOBS
Visit our website www.mhvshrm.org for HR openings in our region. We welcome your submission of openings. Email them to kwutch@eazall.com.
DATES TO REMEMBER
June 22, 2006 Workplace Wellness & the Bottom Line Improve the Bottom line – By Encouraging a Healthy Workforce. 8:30 am – 11:15 am The Trotting Horse Museum, Goshen, NY In cooperation with the American Cancer Society June 25-28, 2006 SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition Washington, DC Visit www.shrm.org/conferences for details. June 27, 2006 “Immigration & Employment Eligibility” Ulster JSEC & U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 8:45am - 10:45am For details visit www.ulsterjsec.org or call Ron Stonitsch at 845-331-8920 x 3004 July 23-25, 2006 NYS SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition Unleashing the Potential The Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Central NY. For details, visit www.nysshrm.org See page 6 for General Sessions & Keynotes September 21, 2006 Workplace Trends: Why Preparing for the Future is Key to HR Phyllis Shurn-Hannah, SHRM Northeast Region Manager Trotting Horse Museum, Goshen, NY Breakfast meeting October 18, 2006 Consumer Driven Health Care, Trends in Health Benefits, HAS, HRA Speaker, David Melby, Rose and Kiernan, Inc. Sponsor: Ameriprise Breakfast meeting November 2006 THE Work Ethic ~ What Is It? How Do I Get My Staff to Have IT? Speaker, Harriet Rifkin Breakfast meeting Establish a Summer Internship with Management Association of SUNY New Paltz If you are interested in offering internships to students in the Management Association of SUNY New Paltz, contact Shaun Hoff, Student Chapter Liaison, by email at hoffs@newpaltz.edu or by phone at (845) 2273603.
2006 SHRM Foundation Regional Scholarship Program
Application Deadline: July 15, 2006 The SHRM Foundation will award of total of $50,000 scholarships this fall. $10,000 in scholarships will be awarded to SHRM members in each SHRM geographic region. Academic Scholarships SHRM members who are pursuing a college degree may apply for one of 20 academic scholarships of $1,300 each to help pay for tuition and related college expenses. Certification Scholarships Members wishing to become certified as PHR/SPHR/orGPHR are eligible to apply for one of 40 $600 scholarships to be used toward certification study expenses. Media Industry Scholarships In addition to the scholarships listed above, five additional $1,500 scholarships are available for SHRM members who are currently working in the media industry and who are pursuing a college degree. For additional details and to download an application, visit www.shrm.org/foundation. If you are eligible for any of these scholarships, we strongly encourage you to apply. We would love to see one of our chapter members receive one of these scholarships.
MHVSHRM Raises Funds for SHRM Foundation
Attendees at the MHVSHRM conference in April took part in a raffle for METS tickets raising $100.00 for the SHRM Foundation.
WAY TO GO, TEAM!
If you already applied to take the PHR or SPHR exam this spring but have not yet sat for the test, the testing window ends on June 30th. If you did not apply to take the Certification exam yet this year, there will be another opportunity – see tables below. Exam Testing Window Reg. Deadline Date Oct. 13, 2006 Oct. 13, 2006 Late Deadline Date Nov. 17, 2006 Nov. 17, 2006
PHR/SPHR Dec. 1, 2006 - January 31, 2007 GPHR Dec. 1 - Dec. 31, 2006
Remember, the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter offers scholarships to help defray the costs of certification preparation and/or the cost of the exam for members. Details and the application form are online at www.mhvshrm.org . Marist College will again offer a certification prep course in Goshen beginning in early September.
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Help from DOL: Web Tool Helps Employers Determine Which DOL Laws Affect Them
Need assistance in understanding which U.S. Department of Labor laws actually apply to your business? DOL’s online FirstStep Employment Law Advisor, located at www.dol.gov/elaws/firststep, lets employers quickly learn which of its major employment laws impact them. To do this, it asks users a series of short, pre-set questions and then generates a customized list of DOL employment laws that likely apply to their business based on relevant factors such as the general nature and location of the business and whether or not it has federal contracts and subcontracts. Each law then links to in-depth compliance assistance resources. Users can “bookmark” the list so they can easily return to it when they need additional information. This resource is one of several online elaws (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses) Advisors developed by DOL. For a complete list, visit www.dol.gov/elaws.
A great conference . . . a great venue . . . great speakers . . . a great value !!
Visit www.NYSSHRM.org for details and registration.
People First, Profits Follow
Rita Bailey, Founder of QVF Partners, LTD Director of Southwest Airlines University (retired) Can a people focused culture really impact the bottom line of a company? While many leaders proclaim that “Human Capital” is highly valued in their organization, the “People” usually tell a different story. When a company truly puts their People first, compounded value is realized in attitude, performance, retention, balance sheets and overall Employee engagement. Key Learning Points include 1) Practices of successful companies, 2) Developing an Infrastructure that reinforces Internal Customer Relations, 3) Linking Internal Customer Service with External Customer Retention, and 4) Determining the status of your organization’s Culture Bank Account.
Strategic Planning - Building a Living Roadmap
Francis Battisti, CEO, Battisti Seminars Professor of Psychology, Education and Human Services, SUNY - Broome County The success of any organization depends upon a comprehensive understanding of the needs of those it serves coupled with the ability to meet those needs in a high quality, cost efficient manner. The Pre-Conference Workshop will show participants how to use the Strategic Planning Roadmap Methodology: Environmental Assessment; Mission and Vision; Goal Setting, Action Planning and Evaluation; the Living Roadmap.
Adaptation Management: The Essential Organization Competency
Scott Cawood, Principal, ModernThink, LLC Participants will learn an innovative organizational process to accelerate business and people development. Everyday we are faced with choices that impact the future of our business. With every external change comes internal change. Amidst this chaos, business success depends on two outcomes: adapting faster than your competition and connecting employees to our organization. HR professionals must play a pivotal role in influencing both. This session will introduce an innovative organizational process for building an adaptable culture and present data-driven strategies and globally recognized practices for building and sustaining a great organization.
The Business Behind the Benefits
Jeff Chambers, Vice President of Human Resources, SAS Mr. Chambers will discuss how SAS' award-winning approach to treating employees and the company's sustained business success perpetuate each other. He will also detail the management philosophies regarding corporate culture, compensation and benefits that have contributed to SAS' perennial recognition on Fortune's list of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America". In addition, Chambers will cover top-of-mind topics such as soaring employer health care costs and the impending labor shortage, and the unique way SAS is approaching them.
Conquering Adversity: Six Strategies to Move You and Your Team Through Tough Times
Chris Novak, Founder, The Summit Team Based on his book, Mr. Novak's high impact, interactive presentation is an inspiring reminder that there is a hero inside each of us and that we are stronger than any challenge. Against a true-life backdrop, he articulates real-world insights to navigate the inevitable storms in our personal or professional lives. Powerful. Inspiring. Unforgettable. Founder of QVF Partners, Ltd.
Unleashing the Potential has been approved for 13 recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI).