Congratulations to Wendy Chance, CTS, the 2016 Texas Volunteer of the Year. The Texas Volunteer Leader of the Year Award recognizes those whose volunteer efforts and impact are exemplary in serving our HR community.

When not busy as vice president of Evins Personnel Consultants, Wendy manages to find time to volunteer with her local chapter in Austin, Texas SHRM, and the HRSouthwest Conference. Previous roles include president and vice president of programs for AHRMA, assistant director of marketing for Texas SHRM, and College Relations Committee for the HRSouthwest Conference. These are just a few of the recent roles Wendy has held over the seven years she has been involved.

One of Wendy’s peers had this to say about her: "The lives touched by Wendy cannot be measured. However, the program she was instrumental in initiating can be measured. $30,000 in scholarship dollars will assist 15 individuals in fulfilling their dreams. The opportunity to give back is her mantra. As a person with an entrepreneurial mind and a big heart, she spends countless hours of her time and resources to support our profession."

Wendy does not believe in sitting on the sidelines. She will always show up with a positive attitude and plenty of energy regardless of the job. She is the person who will introduce herself and make sure people feel welcome and included. Wendy is a tremendous role model to all of us as Volunteer Leader of the Year.

November became National Native American Heritage Month when President George H. W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating it so in 1990. Native Americans are a diverse population with a rich history.

Veteran’s Day is celebrated on November 11 and provides an opportunity to celebrate Native American contributions to our nation’s freedom.

Many know about the Navajo Code Talkers who confounded Axis forces in World War II by using their native language as a radio code for the American Army. But did you know that Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Old Horn-Purdy was one of the first women assigned to a combatant ship in 1999 (http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=123730)?

Joseph James Clark was the first Native American to graduate from the Naval Academy in June of 1917. He served during World War I and World War II where he achieved the rank of Real Admiral. During his impressive naval career, he was awarded Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Army Distinguished Service Medal for service in Korea, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with Combat "V," Commendation Ribbon with Combat "V," Army Commendation Ribbon, and Ribbon with stars for the Presidential Unit Citations to the USS Suwanee, USS Yorktown, and USS Hornet, Victory Medals for World War I and II; American Defense Service Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern (one star), and Asiatic-Pacific (12 engagements) Campaign Medals; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon (one star). Also, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (one star), United Nations Service Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal (http://archive.defense.gov/home/features/2014/1114_native-american/).

Native American Pfc. Ira Hayes was one of four Marines depicted in the famous WWII photo of marines raising the American flag on Iwo Jima (http://archive.defense.gov/home/features/2014/1114_native-american/).

Find more stories about Native American heroes at the DoD’s National Native American Heritage Month website.

November gives us a great opportunity to celebrate Native American Heritage and Heroism!

Thanks for a great conference!

Thank you once again to everyone — attendees, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors and speakers — who had a hand in delivering another successful year of the HRSouthwest Conference. The event continues getting better year after year as a result of your contributions, efforts and feedback. An especially loud applause goes out to conference director Lety Yañez, CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP, for her amazing leadership and vision. For great captured moments throughout the event, check out the recap video and the #HRSWC social wall, which streamed liveTwitter and Instagram posts to the Conference "big screen."

Christopher C. Antone, JD, Inducted into the HRSWC Speaker Hall of Fame

The HRSouthwest Conference (HRSWC) recognized Christopher C. Antone, J.D., as its 2015 inductee into the HRSWC Speaker Hall of Fame at the opening general session of the 74th annual event, held Oct. 25-28 in Fort Worth, Texas. The program was established in 2013 to honor speakers who exhibit professionalism and speaking excellence, and who continually contribute to the conference to further the profession of human resources. Inductees are evaluated by their peers and each candidate must excel in content, delivery, professionalism and communication.

Antone first spoke at the HRSouthwest Conference in 1994 and, for the last 21 years, has achieved universally positive reviews for his presentation content and style. He joins previous inductees Michael Mirarchi, J.D., and Alice Dendinger, SPHR, in this distinguished honor.

Antone joined the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) nearly 40 years ago, when he was a member of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations’ student chapter of the American Society of Personnel Administration. His dedication to workplace issues continued in law school, where he was recognized as the top graduate in the study of labor and employment law, the specialty area in which he was subsequently certified by the State Bar of Texas.

In addition to a full labor agency litigation and labor arbitration caseload, Antone is also an active speaker with several Texas SHRM chapters, often presenting on various legal matters and hot topics. He also teaches the National Labor Relations Act section to HR professionals seeking professional certification. Antone regularly contributes to the DallasHR chapter, spearheading the organization’s Legal Breakfast Series since 2010. In addition, he is a long-time presenter at the DallasHR Legal Exchange events.

Throughout his 34-year legal career, Antone has been committed to educating all levels of management in achieving their business goals within the law — his focus on prevention rather than cure. He would much rather be known as the lawyer-educator than the lawyer-gladiator. Antone is a shareholder in the Dallas office of Jackson Lewis P.C., having been with the firm for more than 32 years. He has been named one of the nation's top 100 labor lawyers by the Labor Relations Institute for five consecutive years.

Wendy Chance, CTS, Recognized as Texas Volunteer Leader of the Year at the HRSouthwest Conference

Wendy Chance, CTS, was named the 2015 Texas Volunteer Leader of the Year during the closing general session at the HRSouthwest Conference. The award recognizes those individuals whose volunteer efforts and impact are exemplary in serving the human resources community in Texas. Chance was selected from a pool of highly deserving candidates nominated within Texas SHRM, an organization comprised of more than 19,000 members, 33 affiliate Society for Human Resource Management chapters and 32 student SHRM chapters throughout the state.

The HRSouthwest Conference to Celebrate 75 Years in 2016

As we wrap up another successful year of the HRSouthwest Conference, we quickly turn our sights to the planning of next year. Kim Scott, PHR, SHRM-CP, and Kathy Hassenpflug, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, will lead the conference board throughout the next 12 months to create and deliver a highly productive HRSWC, filled with top-notch educational offerings and networking opportunities.

And 2016 will be a particularly special year for HRSWC...we’ll be celebrating our 75th anniversary. We hope to see you Oct. 16–19 in Fort Worth, Texas. You won’t want to miss it!

This past week was a dynamic one for human resources in Texas. As we ended HR Appreciation Month in our state, we met 2,000-strong at HRSouthwest in Ft. Worth, where we learned, networked and celebrated.

On Saturday, I facilitated a meeting of the Texas State Council (aka Texas SHRM), where leaders from our 33 SHRM chapters and core leadership area specialists spent a full day synergizing to build the strongest local chapters possible. We were also inspired by our keynote, Telvin Jeffries, who shared his professional successes in leadership through effective partnering with others in the C-suite and intimately understanding the operation, finances and drivers of our respective organizations.

I thank all of those who gave of their time on a Saturday to come together for a powerful and impactful day of learning.

Sincerely,

Mike Kahn, SPHR 

Under the leadership of Business Seminar Chair Diana Dean, the Brazos Valley SHRM chapter hosted the annual Business Seminar at the Phillips Event Center in Bryan, Texas on Sept. 25. More than 80 HR professionals and business leaders attended the seminar, which was certified for SHRM PDCs and HRCI certification credits.

 

Six one-hour sessions included What’s Hot in Employment Law, Social Media, Diversity & Inclusion, Practical Process Improvement to Reinvigorate HR, Retaining Workforce Knowledge, and Dealing with Different People Styles.

St. Joseph Hospital was the corporate sponsor and Dr. Aline Rouk, MD-St. Joseph Occupational Medicine, was the luncheon guest speaker.

Click "Learn More" to see pics from the conference!

Texas SHRM added a new Core Leadership Area in 2015 focused on attracting and engaging young professionals (YP) to the HR profession. As a result, three local chapters have added a YP initiative to their strategic objectives and leadership in 2015, and several other chapters are considering new board positions in 2016.

On October 27, Texas SHRM hosted their first state-wide YP event at the HR Southwest Conference in Fort Worth. Thirty-five young professionals and leaders joined in the festivities and camaraderie. Attendees enjoyed connecting and meeting other YPs, and continued their new-found friendships throughout conference.

Members of HR Houston’s HR Gives Back Committee prepare and serve lunch for job seekers at Star of Hope.

On Saturday, October 17, HR Houston celebrated the HR profession with HR Spirit Day! Here’s a few of our members who participated in this FUN event.

El Paso SHRM's college relations director, Gracie Padilla, meets with the University of Texas at El Paso SHRM weekly. She's helped align their goals with SHRM, and she's assisted with community service projects. Most recently, she helped recruit at a Student Organizations Fair Workshop, where 90 students showed interest in UTEP SHRM.

Congratulations to the new 2016 board members! 

New member orientation Luncheon in September.

Just 6 Days Left to Save for STXHRS!

You’re just in time for early bird registration for the 2016 South Texas Human Resource Symposium (STXHRS) on February 4th and 5th in San Antonio, Texas. Save $50 if you register by 11/15!

Why you need to be there:

• It's a great value! Compare our pricing to other regional HR conferences!
• Amazing professional development education – two days of sessions presented by over 30 experienced speakers who are industry leaders, attorneys, and HR professionals.
  
• Keynote speakers include Aric Bostick and Avish Parashar.
  
• Hot topics: Topics will include those at the top of the HR radar screen and will keep you informed on issues vital to your organization.
  
• Expand your network by attending our networking events, conference sessions and keynote sessions.
  
• More than 40 companies will be in the exhibit hall to offer their latest products and services.
  
• Earn Professional Development Credits (PDC’s) for SHRM Certification and HRCI recertification credits.
  

To register and learn more go to www.sahrma.org. Let’s join together and celebrate the many reasons WE ? HR!

Congratulations to everyone who obtained SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification! The number of SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certified individuals is growing, and Texas is leading the way! As of Sept. 30, 2015, there are 4,206 SHRM certified individuals in Texas!

Save the Dates:

November 13 & November 16

Sherry Johnson, SHRM field services director, is hosting certification webinars. These webinar sessions will be available to all SHRM members in Texas. More details to come.

Why earn your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP?

• Boost your confidence and recognition.
• Demonstrate mastery of the competencies and knowledge that are most important to organizations as defined by the SHRM Body of Competency & Knowledge.
• Expand your scope within the HR field to bring new ideas to drive business success within your organization.
• Demonstrate your long-term commitment to the HR profession.

More detailed information — including the top five benefits of SHRM certification to your organization — is available here.

How can SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification be achieved?

1. Online Tutorial Pathway: Those HR professionals with current HR certifications (including PHR, SPHR, GPHR, HRBP, HRMP, and IPMA-CP) are eligible to obtain SHRM certification through the Online Tutorial Pathway until Dec. 31, 2015.
2. SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP Exam: Nov. 13 is the deadline for winter testing window. Information about eligibility requirements and exam windows is available here. (Select the APPLY heading.)

Helpful Links

SHRM Certification homepage

Certification FAQs