September 12, 2005
MITRE
Tysons Corner, VA

Attendees:

Kurt Cowles, President
Maggie Chan, President-Elect
Evelyn Kaiser, Diversity/Workforce Education Director
Judy Carter, Treasurer
Mary Walter Midkiff, Assistant Vice President, Programs
Lisa Forester, SHRM Foundation Rep & Scholarship Coordinator
Judy Perrault, Director at Large
Denise Hartman, Legislative Liaison
Bonnie Little, Vice President Membership
Amy Lourenco, Secretary
Lynn Padgett, Registration Coordinator
Mary Saily, Vice President Programs
Michaele Vestal, Certification Representative
Cindy Loison, Past President
Andrea Evans, Student Chapter Liaison

Agenda:

The meeting was called to order.

The August meeting minutes were approved.

Treasurer:

We reviewed the latest Treasurer’s Report. The cost of the Study Group Materials will be recouped once all the group members pay their fee. Kurt Cowles discussed ideas for allocating chapter resources. We had already approved two of the ideas, website enhancement and funding of a special program. In addition, the board approved an increased donation to the SHRM Foundation ($1,500, which includes any member donations obtained at chapter meetings); donations to the relief effort for Hurricane Katrina; and, funding of two additional members to attend the SHRM Leadership Conference in November. Regarding the Hurricane Katrina effort, we will make a one-time request for donations at this month’s chapter meeting, and we will attempt to assist any sister SHRM chapter in the Hurricane-stricken areas. Other ideas will be tabled for discussion later (member pins, membership drive with prizes, recognition for newly certified members and re-certified members, subsidizing member in transition, and subsidizing student members (we already offer them a reduced chapter meeting rate.)

Executive Event:

Cindy Loison discussed the Executive Event scheduled for 27 October from 7:30-9:30am at Tyson’s Sheraton Premier Hotel. A panel will discuss “Why We Hate HR”. The room can accommodate 100 people. The cost will be $25 for members and $30 for non-members. It will be announced at the next Chapter Meeting and in the Newsletter. We may also videotape it.

Pay Pal Update:

Our account has been established and website enhancement is underway. The credit card imprint machine has been ordered. We’re targeting for October to be able to accept on-line payments.

Kurt Cowles advised that it’s time to sign the Marriott contract for 2006. The Board agreed that three breakfast meetings per year is the right amount. We’ll have them next year in April, July and October.

In a discussion about the makeup of the Board for 2006, Kurt Cowles asked that several Board Members talk at the next Chapter Meeting about their experiences in an effort to encourage volunteers to serve.

Board Member Update:

Judy Perrault suggested that new members to the Board might be most useful. Bonnie Little announced that she’s changing careers and will be resigning from the Board in October. She said she’ll continue to handle the Membership duties until a replacement is identified and trained. Denise Hartman and Cindy Loison volunteered to speak briefly at the chapter meeting about their experiences serving on the Board.

Programs: Mary Saily, Mary Walter Midkiff and three volunteers will get together and discuss ideas for 2006 speakers and sponsors. The September meeting speaker is Misti Mukherjee and the October meeting topic is Disability.

Membership:

Bonnie Little advised that there are 235 members, of which 107 are new. Bonnie Little will send letters out to SHRM members not affiliated with a chapter and invite them to join the Dulles chapter.

Certification:

Michaele Vestal advised that we have 17 registered for the certification study group. The group starts on September 13th. Michaele Vestal wants to double-check the participant names against a list of chapter members to ensure those who claimed to be eligible for the chapter member rate indeed are chapter members. Judy Carter said she’d provide a list to Michaele Vestal.

Board Dinner:

Kurt Cowles announced that 17 people will attend the Board Social at That’s Amore in Vienna on Saturday the 17th at 7pm.

Registration:

Lynn Padgett wasn’t aware of the current numbers signed up for the September meeting, since Sarah Cower is working that this month.

Workforce Development:

Evelyn Kaiser has been in contact with the Hurricane Relief effort in DC, and will let us know any HR needs that come up.

Student Chapter Liaison:

Andrea Evans advised that she will be working with George Mason University to solicit new members for our chapter.

Legislative Liaison:

Denise Hartman advised that Oct 12 or Oct 13 will be the date for the Chapter Visit to Capitol Hill. Possible topics during the visit will be pensions, health care and response of the Hill to Hurricane Katrina on HR issues. The visit will begin at SHRM headquarters for a brief by the Government Affairs staff. Last year, the Chapter paid for the bus to transport the group downtown. The participants paid for their box lunches. The Board agreed to pay a reasonable amount for the bus again this year.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.

Questions or Comments? Contact the President

Previous Board Minutes