GO BODACIOUS! Meet Author Mary Foley
Guess Who’s Coming to the April Dinner Meeting?
Chapter Activity Plan Results: We Won!
2002 Chapter Invoices
Monthly E-Mail Flyers
Board Meeting Minutes
Mark Your Calendars
Meeting Sponsors Wanted!
Chapter Discussion Groups
Wanted: Carpool to SHRM National in Philadelphia
Chapter Gift to Mary Baldwin College
Meeting Evaluations Coming
HR Leadership Awards of Greater Washington
Top African-American Executives Explore Career Paths
Check Out Previous Newsletters
Two Special Events In April:
GO BODACIOUS! and Joint Meeting with Leesburg Loudoun SHRM
GO BODACIOUS! Meet Author Mary Foley
The Dulles SHRM Board is planning a very special evening on Wednesday, April 3. Mary Foley, author of BODACIOUS! An AOL Insider Cracks the Code to Outrageous Success for Women, will join us for a book signing and buffet dinner at the home of President Nancy Streeter in Reston.
Mary Foley catapulted her career from an $8/hour customer service rep during AOL’s earliest days to one of the top female employees of the organization. She realized that the secrets that put AOL on this map were the very secrets that could help women grow their careers. Now, this 36-year-old multimillionaire and venture capitalist shares these secrets with women everywhere. Mary has appeared on numerous talk shows across the country and travels constantly promoting her book and her message. You may learn more about her at www.gobodacious.com.
The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Mary will be selling her book ($25) and signing it for you. During the evening, Mary will entertain us with am interactive presentation based on her book, and we will draw for a door prize.
You are cordially invited to attend. Attendance is limited to the first 35 members who call or e-mail. Please contact Nancy by e-mail at nabss@aol.com or by leaving a message at (703) 620-6110. Nancy will respond to confirm your reservation and provide directions.
Guess Who’s Coming to the April Dinner Meeting?
Welcome Our Guests From Leesburg Loudoun SHRM
Removing the Mystery From Mentoring:
Practical Answers to Common Questions About Mentoring Programs
Plus Book Signing by Speaker Ann Johnston
Wednesday, April 17, 2002
Regardless of the size of your department, division, or company, mentoring can be a practical solution to a variety of recruitment and retention needs. Unfortunately, common questions with practical answers often prove to be the undoing of well-intentioned mentoring efforts. Ann Johnston, ProGroup consultant and co-author of Getting Started With Mentoring: A Practical Guide to Setting Up an Inclusive Mentoring Program, has assisted many companies in focusing their mentoring efforts to achieve positive results. Her approach is informative, interactive, fun, and practical. Join us and learn about:
- Where to begin when planning or restructuring a mentoring program,
- The characteristics of a good mentor/mentee;
- Selection and matching processes; and
- Various structures and designs to achieve your goals.
Join us for a great networking opportunity with our neighbors from Leesburg Loudoun SHRM and learn about new ideas about mentoring programs that you can take to work the very next day!
As an added bonus, we welcome our first corporate sponsor for 2002, Enterprise RentACar’s Lisa Turner.
Chapter Activity Plan Results: We Won!
You’ll recall from last month that our submission for the 2001 Chapter Activity Plan, SHRM’s “annual report” for all chapters, showed a tentative point total leading to Superior Merit Award status, a recognition never before earned by Dulles SHRM. On March 6, Area II Manager Shelly Prochaska notified us that we indeed have been awarded the Superior Merit Award for 2001. Congratulations on every chapter member for a great job! The celebration is coming!
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.
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
2002 Chapter Invoices
If you have not yet paid your 2002 Chapter due, we urge you to renew as soon as possible by sending your $25 check to Treasurer Nathalie Laforet, Dulles SHRM, P.O. Box 1249, Herndon, VA 20171-1249. Don’t miss this opportunity to be included in the 2002 Dulles SHRM Membership Directory to be published in late spring.
Monthly E-Mail Flyers
As a Dulles Chapter member, you receive both e-mail flyers and a hard copy flyer by U.S. mail each month. Unfortunately, many of our e-mail flyers are being returned. If you are not receiving an e-mail flyer, please contact Sharon Hymanson ( sharonh@invan.com ) and provide your correct e-mail address.
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:
- April 17 - "Removing the Mystery From Mentoring: Practical Answers to Common Questions About Mentoring Programs" with Ann Johnston of ProGroup (with book signing)
- May 15 - "Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace" with Jennell Evans of Strategic Interactions
- June 19 - "Traits, Customs, and Practices Found in the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America" with Scott Cawood of the Great Places to Work Institute
- 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
Meeting Sponsors Wanted!
Amy Lourenco (alourenco@va.rr.com), Assistant Vice President, Membership, has graciously volunteered to be our sponsorship representative for 2002. If your organization would be interested in sponsoring one of our meetings OR you know a vendor or other organization that would be interested in reaching 50-60 human resources professionals at one of our dinner meetings, please contact Amy
The benefits of sponsoring a Dulles SHRM meeting include:
- Direct contact at the meeting with anywhere from 50-60 chapter members.
- Exposure on the Dulles SHRM website with a mention about being the sponsor, a brief description of what the company does, and a link to the company's website.
- Table set up next to the registration table during the reception/networking time prior to the meeting.
- A mention in the meeting flyer about the company and its website address.
- An introduction at the meeting with an opportunity to briefly overview the company’s products or services.
The cost is only $250 for members and $500 for non-members
Chapter Discussion Groups
Folks are raving about the value of the chapter Discussion Groups!
Come find out why!
Dulles SHRM’s monthly Discussion Groups are an excellent tool for learning about the latest trends and workplace practices across a variety of hot HR topics.
Discussion groups meet monthly and anyone is invited. Typically about a dozen chapter members attend. There is no charge. Just be sure to contact Cindy Loison (cindy.loison@lafarge-na.com ) or (703) 480-3706) ahead of time so we expect you. Also contact Cindy for the exact meeting location. Click Here to check out our 2002-2003 Discussion Group schedule.
Our topic for Thursday, April 4 is:
“Employee Surveys”
Facilitator: Mary Saily, Senior VP, HumanR
First Union Securities (Hosted by Nathalie Laforet)
2070 Chain Bridge Road #135
Vienna, VA 22181
Wanted: Carpool to SHRM National in Philadelphia
Member-at-Large Karen McDonald is looking to form a carpool to the SHRM National conference in Philadelphia in late June. If you’re interested, contact Karen at hratpohanka@aol.com.
Chapter Gift to Mary Baldwin College
Our thanks to President-Elect Judy Perrault who arranged for our subscription gift to Mary Baldwin College’s newest regional center in Sterling, which opened only last week. Dulles SHRM donated a one-year subscription to HR Magazine, HR News, and Employment Management Today for the new college library.
Meeting Evaluations Coming
Vice President, Programs Cindy Loison and Assistant Vice President, Programs and Sponsorship Coordinator Amy Lourenco will begin soliciting your feedback on our monthly programs. The new meeting evaluations will start next month at the April meeting. In addition to gaining additional points for us on the 2002 Chapter Activity Plan, your comments will provide excellent feedback for our speakers and hopefully give Cindy and Amy good ideas on topics that you’d like to see us cover in the months ahead as they begin working on the 2003 Program year. Please tell us what’s on your mind!
HR Leadership Awards of Greater Washington
The HR Leadership organization of the greater Washington area has launched the HR Leadership Awards of Greater Washington. These awards have been established to recognize exemplary leadership and significant contributions of HR professionals. Nominations for the 2002 Awards are being accepted until April 5, 2002, and the awards gala will be held on June 5 at the McLean Hilton.
Awards will be given in four categories:
- HR Professional Excellence - Commercial/For-Profit
- HR Professional Excellence - Government/Non-Profit
- Community Service/Corporate Social Responsibility
- Ethics in Business
For more information and nomination guidelines, please visit www.hrleadership.org or call Ann Smith of Ann Smith Communications at (703) 742-0440.
Top African-American Executives Explore Career Paths
Submitted by Dulles SHRM Diversity Director Deidre Iannelli
By Chris Bardwell
Spotlight on Human Resources: Coleman H. Peterson, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
At Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Coleman ("Cole") H. Peterson, has risen to the top of his field. Peterson is the world’s number one Human Resource head based on number of employees. In 1994, he joined Wal-Mart, the world's number one retailer, which employs more than 1.2 million employees worldwide.
With a staff of five direct reports, Peterson works for the largest employer of African Americans and Hispanics in the U.S. Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Wal-Mart is one of the fastest growing companies in the world, both in terms of sales and the creation of jobs. The company’s three major operating divisions include 1) Wal-Mart Stores and Supercenters (combined general merchandise/grocery stores); 2) Sam’s Club (membership wholesale clubs); and 3) Wal-Mart International which operates retail operations in the countries of Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil, China, Korea, United Kingdom and Germany.
He is one of 14 senior executives responsible for the strategic direction of Wal-Mart, in addition to key human resources and labor relations activities for the following functional areas: training, communication and development, compensation, recruiting, associate relations and human resources analysis, for the $167 billion retailer. Although Peterson's schedule keeps him pretty busy, he spoke to THE BLACK COLLEGIAN about how he received his current position, what he does at Wal-Mart, what makes him tick, and he offers career tips for collegians.
Q. What prompted you to go into human resources? What specific steps did you take to break into the HR field?
A. I discovered during college (and soon after) that I enjoyed getting things done through people. I was greatly interested in the concept of motivation and how people responded to different leadership styles. I subsequently acquired a master's degree in the human resource area.
Q. How would you describe your key function at Wal-Mart?
A. "To ensure that Wal-Mart has the talent necessary to achieve our strategic objectives." This involves the implementation of strategies to get the best talent, keep the best talent, and grow talent as the company grows.
Q. What are the things you like about your work?
A. Seeing how taking care of people can translate to the "bottom line" in a business.
Q. What kind of manager would you describe yourself to be?
A. Strategic, supportive, and impatient.
Q. The role of Human Resources in corporate strategy has changed dramatically over the past years. HR is now often described as directing "people strategy." What does that mean to you?
A. "People Strategy" simply means those long-term plans of an organization that have to do with supplying a capable, prepared workforce to perform needed jobs and responsibilities. That is my role at Wal-Mart.
Q. What has been the biggest roadblock or obstacle you have faced in your career?
A. Supervisors who were not always as helpful as they could have been in helping me understand the job. I had to work harder, learn from sources other than my boss, and not get discouraged.
Q. What skills have you specifically used to achieve promotions and find new job opportunities?
A. There are four things: preparation, listening, critical thinking (logical reasoning), and caring about others.
Q. People talk about passion, commitment, and drive. To what do you attribute your career success?
A. Persistence, hard work, enjoying my work, and surrounding myself with talented positive people.
Q. Do you have some mental or emotional "touchstone" that has kept you strong and steady over the course of your life and career? If so, what is it?
A. What is most important is to have a "sense of self." Know yourself and be proud and comfortable with who you are.
Q. What are the values you adhere to as an adult?
A. Respect others and give back some of what I have been fortunate enough to acquire.
Q. What important things have you learned that living a fulfilled life includes?
A. Family, friends, and God.
Q. What advice do you have for collegians in today's world of work?
A. It’s okay not to have all the answers upon graduation. Pick something {as a job or career} that responds to your "natural rivers." That is, something that you like and with which you can have fun. Once you pick something, stay with it for at least three years. Give things time to show payback or return on your initial investment.
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
