Join Us For An Informative Program In July!
Dulles SHRM Sponsors a Fall 2002 PHR/SPHR Study Group
An Optional Choice for CEUs or College Credit
Other Options For Certification Prep
HR Career Development SIG Kick-Off Meeting Scheduled!
Board Meeting Minutes
Chapter Discussion Groups
Diversity Portal Now Available
Mark Your Calendars
Article: Five Ways to Increase Staff Diversity with Training and Education
Check Out Previous Newsletters
Join Us For An Exciting Program In July!
Washington, D.C., Human Resources, and You:
How Congress Can Change Your Life
That’s right … Congress! Each year Congress introduces hundreds of HR-related bills that can change the way you do your job. Sometimes they get it right and sometimes they don’t. Deron Zeppelin, Director of SHRM’s Government Affairs, will present an eye-opening edge-of-your-seat presentation on what it’s like fighting for HR issues before Congress, why it is important for HR professionals to get involved, and, most importantly, the very latest on what Congress and the Federal Agencies are thinking about on such issues as FMLA, FLSA, Health Care, Genetic Discrimination, Pensions, and much more. We guarantee you won’t leave the July meeting without learning something you can take back to work the very next day.
As Director of SHRM’s Governmental Affairs Department, Deron leads SHRM’s efforts to analyze, influence, and shape legislation on behalf of the human resource profession. He directs SHRM’s lobbying, regulatory, and grassroots action programs. On behalf of SHRM, he acts as co-chair of the FCRA Coalition and co-chair of the Bonus and Gainsharing Coalition.
Deron joined SHRM in August 1998 as Manager of Employment Legislation and Regulation. Prior to joining SHRM, he worked in the legislative arena for three years with Representative Joe Knollenberg of Mississippi, spending the last two years as Legislative Director. Prior to that he worked for the Republican National Committee as a staff assistant for its major donor program. Deron received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi and his JD from the University of Mississippi with an emphasis in employment and labor law.
And Meet Our July Sponsor - John Tattersall of Cornerstone Financial
Dulles SHRM Sponsors a Fall 2002 PHR/SPHR Study Group Using the Popular SHRM Learning System
Thinking about taking the PHR/SPHR exam?
Find the thought overwhelming?
Need the discipline of a regular “class” to motivate you?
“Yes” you say? Well, then, why not take the plunge and join fellow HR practitioners at the Dulles SHRM Chapter’s Fall Study Group?
For over 10 years, the Dulles SHRM Chapter has made the commitment to offer a low-cost, high-quality study group to help HR professionals prepare for the PHR/SPHR certification exam. We’re pleased to announce that we will be offering another study group this fall to prepare you for the 7 December 2002 exam.
We’re proud of our 85%+ pass rate, which far exceeds the national average. Once again, Eileen Taylor will be leading our study group with enhanced study materials using the SHRM Learning System.
Compare other programs to ours and see if you can beat the low cost and great results! We offer:
- SHRM Learning System materials
- 11 high-impact, motivating sessions focused on the body of knowledge covered in the exam
- Dynamic group discussions
- Support and encouragement of peers
- Experienced facilitator with proven results who prepares you for the test and brings practical knowledge that you may actually remember and apply after you take the exam
- Lower cost alternative in comparison with other exam prep courses
Class Schedule: Study sessions will be held on Thursday evenings from 6-8 p.m. Classes will extend from Thursday, September 12 to Thursday, November 21.
Registration: Now through August 1, 2002
Cost:
Dulles SHRM Members: $600
National SHRM Members: $625
Non-SHRM Members: $650
(Add $100 to each cost item if you would like to use the SHRM Learning System CD in addition to the textbook.)
Register Now! For more information or to register, contact Karen Uhlir: kmuhlir@yahoo.com, 703-206-6804.
And, In Partnership With Mary Baldwin College
An Optional Choice for CEUs or College Credit
Dulles SHRM is partnering with Mary Baldwin College, which is offering the certification prep course at their new Sterling campus on Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. from September 10 through November 19 with an all-day review course on Saturday, November 23. The MBC course, also taught by Eileen Taylor, offers the added advantage of MBC certification and CEUs as well as three semester hours of credit for students enrolled in MBC’s Adult Degree Program. The cost is $1,230 per person. You may learn more about the MBC program at www.mbc.edu/learninc
Other Options For Certification Prep
George Mason University/Shenandoah University
George Mason University is offering the fall prep course in Fairfax, Herndon/Dulles (CIT), Alexandria, Arlington, and Online. For details and costs, visit GMU’s website at www.ocpe.gmu.edu or call Sandra Meyers at 703-733-2800 or email Sandra at smeyers@gmu.edu.
You may also consider Shenandoah University’s Northern Virginia campus (located on Route 7 south of Leesburg) which is offering the prep course for 3.4 CEUs on Monday evenings from 6-9 p.m. from September 9 to November 25. The cost is $850 for SHRM members and $890 for non-SHRM members. The registration deadline is August 28. Learn more by visiting Shenandoah’s website at www.su.edu/cont-ed/shrm.asp or contact Chris Coutts at 703-779-9626 or email Chris at ccoutts@su.edu.
Board Meeting Minutes
The minutes from the Board meetings are available on our web site - please take a few minutes to review them in full. Click Here to View.
HR Career Development SIG Kick-Off Meeting Scheduled!
Wednesday, July 24, 7:30 a.m.
Silver Diner in Reston
Mark your calendars for the kick-off meeting for the newly formed HR Career Development SIG to be held on Wednesday morning, July 24 at the Tysons Silver Diner. We’ll be collecting topics you’d like us to discuss at future bimonthly meetings as well as your ideas for potential facilitators who will guide us during each meeting. Some ideas we have so far include “Handling Ancillary HR Duties,” “Typical and Atypical HR Career Paths,” “Certification vs. Degrees,” “Resumes - What’s Hot,” and “Specialist vs. Generalist.”
The meeting process will be very similar to the process used by Cindy Loison for the Chapter Discussion Groups. There is no charge. We’ll begin at 7:30 a.m. and end no later than 9:00 a.m. Please contact co-chair Bernadette Gebhardt, Human Resources Manager at Martin’s Herend Imports, Inc., if you have questions or would like to join us ( bkgebhardt@earthlink.net or 703-723-1854).
Chapter Discussion Groups
“Employee Handbooks”
Facilitator: Misti Mukherjee of Odin, Feldman & Pittleman, PC
Thursday, July 9
Location: Verizon, 1800 Campus Commons Drive, Reston
Come and learn all of the “how-to’s” on Employee Handbooks. Misti will advise you on how to get started, what should be included, where to get help, revising your existing handbook, and any other hot questions you may have.
Dulles SHRM’s monthly Discussion Groups are an excellent tool for learning about the latest trends and workplace practices across a variety of timely HR topics. Typically about a dozen chapter members attend. There is no charge. Just be sure to contact Cindy Loison ( crloison@mindspring.com ) so we expect you. Click Here to check out our 2002-2003 Discussion Group schedule.
Directions to Verizon in Reston: Take the Toll Road to the Wiehle Avenue exit. If eastbound, take a right turn from the Wiehle ramp; if westbound, take a left turn from the Wiehle ramp. Make a left onto Sunrise Valley Drive. Make the very next left onto Campus Commons Drive. The Verizon building is at the 2nd driveway on the left (there is a sign with the Verizon logo). Proceed up the driveway and park anywhere. Check in at the guard desk. Contact Deidre Iannelli at diannelli@gnilink.net if you have questions.
Diversity Portal Now Available
Check out the new additions to the Diversity section. Our Diversity Director Deidre Iannelli has added the Diversity Calendar and a Diversity Resource Page including our definition of diversity, the Dulles SHRM diversity mission statement, and links to numerous non-profit agencies serving the Northern Virginia area. More is coming!
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming SHRM conferences and seminars:
- SHRM 54th Annual Conference & Exposition, June 23-26, 2002, Philadelphia, PA
- 2002 VA SHRM State Conference, October 9-11, 2002 in Roanoke, VA
Upcoming Meeting Topics
Upcoming meeting topics:
- July 17 - "Governmental Affairs Update" with Deron Zeppelin of SHRM National
- August 21 - "Update on Current Immigration Issues" with Priscilla Muhlenkamp and Ryan Freel of Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, PC
- September 18 - “Latest Trends in HR Technologies,” a panel presentation with representatives from the consulting world, private industry, SHRM HRTX, and academia
- October 16 - Leadership with Book Signing with Dr. Virginia Bianco-Mathis
- November 20 - “Annual Benefits Update” with Dave Downer, The Segal Group
- December 4 - Holiday Party with everyone
Five Ways to Increase Staff Diversity with Training and Education
By Tracey Minor
Contributed by Deidre Iannelli, Dulles SHRM Diversity Director
Competition for those with technical talent has come to resemble the process for recruiting star athletes for the NFL or the NBA. High salaries and huge sign-on bonuses are usually the bait that is used to lure them. These costly bidding wars that most companies participate in only serve to drive salaries up and delay the inevitable staffing crisis. Not only is this a temporary fix that frequently brings about limited success, these practices often cause diversity recruiting in information systems to fall by the wayside. In the long run, everyone will lose.
The obvious solution is to train incoming and existing employees who have an aptitude for working this technology, yet employers are increasingly turning to overdefining job requirements, and asking for very specific skill sets. Many blame this reluctance to train on shortened production life cycles and eroding company loyalty due to a decade of downsizing and layoffs. Many have paid millions of dollars for employees to receive training for popular systems like SAP, Oracle, and Peoplesoft, only to lose them to another employer. There are ways in which you can provide this much needed training and reduce the risk of losing these employees. Creating qualified information systems specialists through training and education is probably the best long-term solution to solving your IS staffing crisis and bringing diversity to all levels to your IS departments.
The following guidelines will explain how to use training and education as a way to increase your success in staffing your IS department with a diverse slate of skilled professionals.
Train and Educate Exsting Members of Your IS Staff
Women, minorities, and people with disabilities in information systems departments often complain about stagnating in lower-level positions. By providing them with training opportunities, you can groom them for higher-level positions. This will not only increase your retention levels of women, minorities, and people with disabilities, but also help you when you go to recruit other members of these groups, as they will be inclined to feel less isolated.
Establish Alliances With Educational Institutions
Employers often express concern about students graduating without the necessary skills needed to be successful. By establishing alliances with schools attended by member of these underrepresented groups you can help them tailor their curricula to industry needs. This will also give you an opportunity to get first crack at the best and brightest.
Retain Mid-Career Changers and Other Displaced Workers
It has been well documented that minorities usually have the highest casualty rate when companies go through reorganization. One way to prevent that and take advantage of the excess staffing is to retrain those with an aptitude for working with computers.
Cultivate Interns From Underrepresented Groups
This is one of the most effective ways to recruit and retain top diversity talent, so it is important that these groups are well represented in your internship program. On-the-job training, a sense of belonging, and a familiar, welcoming culture are key reasons these programs work so well. An effective method that gives organizations an opportunity to gain access to these students at an even earlier age is the shadowing program. In this scenario, high school students are matched with IS executives to see what it is like to walk in their shoes.
Development Relationships With Professional Organizations That Serve These Underrepresented Groups
There are a number of groups representing women, minorities, and people with disabilities that work not only to increase their numbers, but also provide support throughout their careers. Groups like the Black Data Processing Association, Women in Technology International, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers can be excellent vehicles with which you can develop and diversify your staff.
How Do I Keep My Newly Trained Employees?
Here are four approaches you can use to retain newly trained members of your staff and keep costs down:
- Have them sign a contract requiring that they stay with your company for a specified period of time.
- Provide them with an option to reimburse the company if they do not stay for a predetermined period.
- After a set period of time following training, provide them with bonus pay.
- Offer a supplemental education fund to encourage that all of your people stay on the cutting edge of technology.
Fast Fact
In a recent survey of network managers, 33% said they had never hired a woman and 37% had never hired a minority. Only 20% think that minorities are underrepresented on their staffs.
That’s all for this month unless you have any ideas or suggestions? This is your chapter - let us know what’s on your mind!
Nancy Streeter
President
Dulles SHRM
E-mail
