In previous articles, I have shared tidbits regarding various initiatives and projects your Executive Committee is working on for you. Traditionally, it is good “business practice” for an organization to communicate to the stakeholders – in this case, our membership, — with a periodic review of accomplishments and items of interest and I am very pleased at this time to provide you with the following First Quarter Review.
The Diversity Committee, led by Willie Watson Jr., successfully partnered with Williamson County Human Resource Management Association (WCHRMA) and other organizations to assist the EEOC with sponsoring “The Glass Ceiling Symposium” in March. This was a first joint venture with the EEOC and I hope many of you were able to attend this informative panel discussion. Thanks to Willie and his team for spearheading this excellent collaborative effort.
Membership is nearing the targeted goal of 1,000 and Tammy Fraser and her Committee have coordinated several activities to promote the value of AHRMA membership to potential new members. Look for her recent articles featured on the AHRMA Blog at www.blog.austinhumanresource.org. Programs are one of the most important benefits of membership and Wendy Chance and her team have accomplished a “first.” One of the Committee’s 2009 goals was to offer a full day, i.e. 6 hours, of strategic credit and this was accomplished during the March AHRMA day – kudos to Programs!
AHRMA’s EC is continuing to reach out to the community to nurture existing relationships and develop new ones. Pat Goodwin, VP Marketing & PR, and others have been busy planting the seeds of success with the City of Austin, Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and other groups. It’s all about working together as a community for the benefit of all.
This year’s Conference theme is Technology, Talent, and Tomorrow and David Carlin and his Committee are working diligently to coordinate this excellent annual event. Look for the first marketing material, “SAVE THAT DATE” soon. As a reminder, the Annual Conference is August 20 and 21 – mark your calendars. Visit the AHRMA Blog at www.blog.austinhumanresource.org for more details.
The Code of Ethics for members of the Executive Committee includes the requirement for fiduciary responsibility to AHRMA. As an organization, we continually refine our processes to ensure that we are running an efficient business. Sharon Hall, VP Finance, recently finalized our documented Financial Procedures; coordinated a newly-revised Chart of Accounts to ensure reporting compliance; and led the initiative to prepare and approve the 2009 Budget. The EC will be tracking Budget to Actual throughout the remainder of the year. Sharon and her team will be reporting financial information to the membership on a regular basis.
Members of the newly-created Workforce Readiness Committee, led by Kate McLagan, have been busy coordinating several initiatives. They have been instrumental in AHRMA forming a partnership with Workforce Solutions, Capital Area. You may have noticed their joint table at the AHRMA luncheons hosted by reps from both groups to provide advice and/or counseling for members who are or may be in career transition. Speaking of career transition, another partnership has just been formed with Jobing Foundation to provide an online set of tools for job-seekers. It will be unveiled soon – look for an upcoming article about the Job Search Tool Kit on the Blog.
Providing our membership with timely information and social networking resources is a primary goal for Amy Goldenburg and the Communications Committee. There are so many new initiatives she and her team have recently rolled out – where do I begin? Of course, there is the NEW Blog at www.blog.austinhumanresource.org that is gaining quite an audience of readers; our monthly online Newsletter; upgrades to the website for easier registration for events; and the continuing LinkedIn.com Group, Twitter, and Facebook.
The Career Development Committee, led by Ted Middelberg, has just completed the spring Certification program with record attendance exceeding 30 attendees. The Mentoring team has successfully paired mentors and mentees for the year and the University Relations Chair is actively working with local colleges and universities to increase student awareness of and involvement in AHRMA.
If you attended the March luncheon meeting or read the article in the March Newsletter and/or the Blog entitled, “The Celebration of Stepping Stones” – you are aware that the pilot volunteer leadership development program was completed in March and has met with great success. We are pleased to advise that Diontha Fancher, President-Elect, is leading Series 2 of the 6-module program to begin May 7th – Leadership Rocks!!
In keeping with AHRMA’s mission, the theme for the 2009 Board is “The Gift of Giving: to the membership, the profession, and the community.” It is my honor to lead such an exceptional group of leaders who are making this theme a reality.
Sincerely,
Ramona Rohrer
2009 AHRMA President
president@austinhumanresource.org
Filed under: From the President's Podium
