Monthly District Spotlight: Featuring District 7

District 7 Spotlight

By Tom Topping

SHRM-CP and District 7 Director

 

SuncoastHR (Clearwater/St Petersburg) recently underwent a bit of a makeover. In addition to launching a newly designed and much improved website, the chapter unfurled a new logo and catchphrase that encapsulates exactly what they intend to deliver to their membership in the coming years: “connect…enrich…support.” In June, the chapter was fortunate to safely deliver a $2,500 donation to Clothes to Kids, Inc. as part of their HR Florida Community Impact Award. SuncoastHR continues to deepen and strengthen its leadership bench as it sent 16 members of the 2021 board to the HR Florida Leadership Conference last October. SuncoastHR successfully hosted a virtual Joint Diversity Meeting in November with HR Tampa. Trans author and activist Ashley T Brundage, was the guest speaker. She relayed an incredibly personal and inspiring message for an online audience of over 110 HR pros. Look for continued excellence from this chapter!

At this point, calling the SHRA (Sarasota/Manatee) chapter “award winning” is a bit of an understatement. They are, however, much more than the sum of their prestigious awards. SHRA was proud to represent their hometown during the HR Florida Leadership Conference in Sarasota this past October. They put together a strong contingent of local volunteers who assisted in all aspects of the conference. SHRA also had great representation at the Leadership Conference sending over 14 board members to the event. President, Renee Hood, delivered a wonderful chapter overview during the HR Florida 4th Quarter Council Meeting. During the Leadership Conference, they were awarded with a Community Impact Award. The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented change to the chapter’s ability to provide in-person support to its members, as well as unaffiliated HR professionals across the region. The SHRA Board answered the bell with a 10-point plan designed to meet the growing needs of their members and community at-large, while providing real-time HR support. Awesome!

HR Tampa had another successful and well-attended conference and expo, this time completely virtual and without a hitch. As one of over 500 attendees, I can tell you it was a great event! October and November were big months for HR Tampa, its leadership, and members. In October, 10 members of their board attended the HR Florida Leadership Conference in Sarasota. While there, they received the HR Florida Chapter Excellence Award for their efforts in Workforce Readiness. Recently, 14 members of the chapter earned their SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification. HR Tampa carried out another excellent Joint Diversity Meeting with SuncoastHR. This time, trans author and activist Ashley T Brundage was the speaker. She relayed an incredibly dynamic, personal, and inspiring message to over 110 HR pros from the Tampa Bay area. HR Tampa continues its strong tradition of growing its membership and influence throughout the Bay area. Look for more “Wow” to come from the west coast’s largest chapter.