Hello and, how are you?
As we begin Quarter Four of the year, I am looking forward to finishing out the calendar year strong!
We began the year reflecting on our mission: The Austin Human Resource Management Association's mission is to promote the mission of professionalism, effectiveness, and understanding in the Human Resource Management field by offering members a wide variety of professional development opportunities and a common forum for sharing ideas and experiences. I believe we should think on how we’ve met this mission - in spite of the global pandemic. I am so proud of our AHRMA community for being strong, helpful, and intentional.
At our December 2019 meeting, I announced this year’s theme: 2020 - Be Curious. Be Courageous. Be Bold. You Belong. Then, I asked each of you at that meeting to write on Post-Its notes what you would like to “BE” in 2020. The visual collection of those words is found in the heart we created together. It includes to be helpful, courageous, strong, bold, joyful, and intentional. To be an advocate, a role model, and a good mentor. Have you successfully been able to live out your “BE” for this year? If not, make a focused effort to prioritize that intention.
2020 has been hard. To quote SHRM’s President and CEO, Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.,
“We ushered our workforces into a COVID-19 world of telework, virtual meetings, and, unfortunately, furloughs and layoffs, and we’re
the ones who will put our workplaces back together. CEOs are counting on our speed, our expertise and our creativity in reshaping
the workplace for resistance and recovery.”
COVID has been hard for everyone but especially the younger generation and veterans in our workforce. The need to cautiously consider emotional stress on each of these demographics as we reshape our workplace is heightened. Are we, as HR leaders, prepared to make additional accommodations? Are we prepared to alter our soft benefits to be more inclusive than traditionally accepted?
I’m grateful AHRMA is proactively leading the trail in offering information and courses on mental health in light of COVID-19. We each need to educate ourselves on what the new best practices are and what the new expectation is as we move forward.
This month’s announcements:
- Voting for the 2021-2022 AHRMA Slate of Officers will be sent out on 10/28 and needs to be completed by 10/30/2020.
- The Karl B. Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship is currently accepting applications for Central Texas Undergraduate and Graduate students with a deadline of November 2nd. We just doubled the funding to $4,000. Are you or someone in your family a part-time or full-time student? Any college student can apply; however, HR and Business degrees giving preference.
- Are you seeking a new job opportunity? Check out our Career Board as it has been very active lately.
- November’s educational program will include SHRM’s CEO Johnny C. Taylor as a live guest speaker. Sign up early.
- December’s educational program will feature our very own member Darlene Templeton of Templeton and Associates. She will inspire us to end the year in celebration.
To keep up with the latest events and program, please read our weekly e-blast emails, follow us on your favorite social media channels, and view our website often.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Lisa Blanton
2020 President
Austin Human Resource Management Association
