Join Us On June 18 for "Planning Your 2004 Health Plan Renewal: New Approaches, New Ideas -- A Panel Discussion"
HR Career Development SIG
Chapter Discussion Group
Are You "Unsubscribed"?
Upcoming Virginia State Conference
Board Meeting Minutes
Dulles Chapter To Sponsor Fall Certification Prep Study Group
Volunteer Needed For Nominating Committee
HR Leadership Awards 2003 Gala: RSVP's Due!
"Career Management Forum"
"Employment Law From A to Z: Best Practices In Hiring, Managing, and Firing Employees"
"Caregiving: The Quiet Problem At Work"
"Finance For HR Professionals"
Book Report #1: HR From The Heart
Is Your Company "Disability Friendly"?
Mark Your Calendar
Hire Disabled College Students And Recent Grads Through Free DOL Database
Program Change: Breakfast Meeting To Be Held July 16
Check Out Previous Newsletters

Join Us On June 18 for "Planning Your 2004 Health Plan Renewal: New Approaches, New Ideas -- A Panel Discussion"

Total compensation dollars available for direct compensation and indirect compensation (benefits) continue to be compressed by the escalating cost of health care plans. Once again, for 2004, the industry is projecting double-digit rates of increase for health care plans. Human Resource and benefits managers need to collaborate with senior management and financial managers to address this challenge and the impact that it will have on balancing benefits strategy with recruitment and retention strategy. In this environment, new ideas and new approaches are needed.

To address this topic, we have assembled a panel presentation and discussion. Our panelists will address current market trends, options for plan design, a case study on maintaining a great-place-to-work strategy in the face of escalating health plan costs, and the pros and cons of the consumer driven health care model. Come with your ideas and questions.

Our panelists will include David Downer, Senior Consultant with the Segal Group; Annette Eitan, Manager of Compensation and Benefits for The CNA Corporation, home of the Center for Naval Analysis and one of Washingtonian’s Top 50 Great Places to Work; and Kevin Davisson, Regional Director of Sales with Lumenos, a leading provider of consumer driven healthcare plans.

Sponsor: Welcome our sponsor, Al Mistove of Alexander Randolph, Inc. You may learn more about Alexander Randolph, Inc. by contacting Al at al@alexrand.com al@alexrand.com.

This program has been approved for 1.0 recertification credit hour toward PHR and SPHR recertification through HRCI. For more information, visit www.hrci.org.

HR Career Development SIG:
“Employee Handbooks - Policies and Procedures”
Wednesday, May 28

Employee handbooks can serve as effective communication tools for employers. However, we may find that our company’s “practices” often differ from the “policies” we communicate. This can make a handbook ineffective and even a potential liability for your company. Therefore, it is good practice to periodically review the policies/procedures in your company’s handbook.

• Are you new at creating policies and procedures; are your policies up to date with your current practices?
• Are you looking to change some policies and are curious as to what’s being done in other companies? Perhaps you have a “problem policy” like attendance and leave issues.
• Is your handbook cumbersome to use and/or difficult to understand?
• What experiences have you had with tools/resources that have been useful in creating your policies/handbooks?

If you are creating new policies for the first time or modifying existing ones, bring your questions/ideas (and even your handbooks) to our next SIG meeting to brainstorm with other HR professionals.

Topic: Employee Handbooks -- Policies and Procedures
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Time: 7:30-9:00 a.m.
Place: Silver Diner, Baron Cameron Road, Reston, VA (703) 742-0801

The SIG meetings are open to all SHRM members and guests and are informal to allow individuals to address specific areas ofconcern. There is no fee to attend. Please contact HR Career Development SIG Director Bernadette Gebhardt, Director of Human Resources at Martin’s Herend Imports, Inc. For questions and to RSVP, 703-404-4123 (w), 703-723-1854 (h), bkgebhardt@earthlink.net.

Chapter Discussion Group
“Methods of Sustaining a Skilled Workforce in Your Organization”
Thursday, June 5

Please confirm your attendance to Cindy Loison at cloisonhr@aol.com. We look forward to seeing you there.

Date: Thursday, June 5
Time: 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Place: Spherion, 1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 260, McLean, VA 22102
Telephone: 703) 917-1105 (Teresa Buchholz Direct Line)

Directions: From Toll Road (Route 267): Exit Toll Road at Route 123 South to Tysons Boulevard. Make a right onto Tysons Boulevard. [Beware - the two far right lanes after you turn are right-turn only - you need to go straight once on Tysons Boulevard.] You will pass a pink parking garage on your left and come upon three tall buildings (Deloitte & Touche, Ritz, and Tysons II). Turn left (in front of the sign for the Ritz Carlton) and follow the circle around to the parking garage with the number 1750. Park in this garage on Level 3 in an unmarked space.

Are You "Unsubscribed"?

The Dulles Chapter sends emails to our members via MailerMailer, an e-mail messaging service. Recently we’ve noticed that several members have “unsubscribed” and are no longer receiving Chapter e-mail messages. If you are a 2003 Chapter member and are not receiving e-mail notices for Chapter meetings, Chapter Discussion Groups, and SIG meetings because you may have mistakenly “unsubscribed” from our e-mail service, please contact Nancy Streeter (nabss@aol.com) to restore your service.

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.

Upcoming Virginia State Conference
October 15-17, Fairview Park Marriott

Come join us in making the Virginia State Conference a success! The NOVA SHRM, Montgomery SHRM, and Dulles SHRM chapters and the Washington Technical Professional Forum will be hosting the 2003 VA State Conference this year. Volunteers are needed to help with the following functions: programs, publicity, exhibitors & sponsors, facilities/logistics, registration, and entertainment before and during the conference. For more information, visit www.novashrm.org/StateConf/StateConference.php. To volunteer, please Click Here or contact Alice Waagen at worklearn@aol.com and/or Maggie Chan at maggie.chan@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Dulles Chapter To Sponsor Fall Certification Prep Study Group

• Thinking about taking the PHR/SPHR exam?
• Find the thought overwhelming?
• Need the discipline of a regular “class” to motivate you?

“Yes” you say? Then plan to join your fellow HR practitioners at the upcoming Dulles SHRM Fall Certification Prep Study Group. Once again, Eileen Taylor will be leading our study group using the SHRM Learning System. Classes will begin in September in preparation for the December exam. Watch the newsletter and the website for more details.

Volunteer Needed For Nominating Committee

Each year, the Dulles Chapter forms a Nominating Committee to accept and consider self-nominations for the 19 positions on the following year’s Board of Directors. The Committee consists of the current Chapter President, the President-Elect, and a volunteer from the membership. Activities begin with a planning meeting held in August followed by solicitation of self-nominations during September and October, a ballot at the November dinner meeting, and induction of the new board at the December holiday party. Last year, Director-at-Large Cornelia Gamlem volunteered to chair the Nominating Committee. This year, Cornelia will be mentoring the 2003 volunteer. We invite you to consider volunteering for this short-term, but important, position. Please contact President Judy Perrault (vprez@mindbank.com) if you are interested in helping out.

HR Leadership Awards 2003 Gala
RSVP's Due on Wednesday, May 28

The HR Leadership Awards 2003 Gala will be held on Tuesday, June 3 at the Hilton McLean at Tysons Corner. Awards will be presented in a variety of categories acknowledging the contributions of Washington area HR professionals at commercial, government, and non-profit organizations. Keynote speaker is Bobbie Kilberg, President, Northern Virginia Technology Council. Tickets are $95 with RSVPs and payment due by Wednesday, May 28. For more information, visit www.hrleadership.org or contact Marie Assir at (703) 284-5975 or info@hrleadership.org. Mail to HR Leadership Awards of Greater Washington, c/o Marymount University, Office of Corporate Outreach, 2807 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207-4299.

"Career Management Forum"
Wednesday, June 4, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, D.C.

Dust off your self-promotion skills and learn how to promote yourself within your present organization. If you are conducting a job search, seeking to be heard in your organization, or even striving for a well-deserved promotion, presenters Sylvia Gray and Dr. Winnie Lanoix will teach you to put your best foot forward. This HRA-NCA-sponsored event will begin with networking and light dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by a two-hour presentation and additional networking. For additional information or to register, visit www.hra-nca.org/event. The cost is $10 for HRA-NCA members and $20 for non-members.

"Employment Law From A to Z: Best Practices in Hiring, Managing, and Firing Employees"
Tuesday, June 10, The Tower Club, Tysons Corner, VA

Attend the second event of NOVA SHRM’s 2003 Professional Development Series for a practical, full-day overview of the employment process from start to finish, including interviewing and hiring, classifying employees under the FLSA, establishing effective personnel policies, implementing employment agreements, and terminating employees effectively and legally. Each attendee will receive a copy of the 250-page Virginia Employment Practices and Forms (retail value of $95), authored by Steve Ray and Eddie Isler of Ray & Isler. The text includes many useful forms on computer diskette, including a sample employment application, model offer letter, model employment agreement, and numerous personnel policies.

Whether you are a seasoned HR professional, new to the field, or simply looking for a solid overview of Virginia employment law, the program promises to be lively, entertaining, and practically informative. The fee for NOVA SHRM and local SHRM chapter members is $195. Space is limited to 125 participants. The deadline for registration is Tuesday, June 3. Contact Marcy Mont at novashrm@bm2.com for information or to register.

"Caregiving: The Quiet Problem At Work"
Wednesday, June 11, Greenspring Village, Springfield, VA

Not many people talk about it, but did you know that one-third of us in the workforce now engage in caregiving for older or disabled loved ones? And, by 2008, the percentage will increase to 54%. As the population continues to age, the number of caregivers in the workforce will grow, placing tremendous burdens on both workers and their employers. This trend will not go away. Employee caregivers cost U.S. industries between $11 billion and $29 billion annually in lost productivity. Both employees and employers can no longer afford to be silent about this problem. This educational program will identify specific barriers to caregiving and explore strategies to overcome them. It will provide the Human Resources professional with knowledge and tools to cope with this increasing problem.

Funded by AT&T and the National Council on the Aging, this free forum and lunch will begin with registration and networking from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. followed by the program to be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Greenspring Village is located off the Fairfax County Parkway and is easily accessible from I-95. This program has been approved for 3.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through HRCI. For more information or to register, e-mail Farrell Didio at fdidio@erols.com or call (703) 242-6635.

"Finance For HR Professionals"
Thursday, June 19, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, D.C.

This half-day session, taught by Claudia Jones of Rockhurst University and sponsored by HRA-NCA, will give you a better understanding of basic finance and accounting. You will learn to read a balance sheet and communicate effectively with the financial professionals in your organization. You will also relate your HR initiatives to the bottom line of your company. This program has been approved for 4.0 recertification credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through HRCI. The cost is $125 for HRA-NCA members and non-members. Learn more and register online at www.hra-nca.org/event.

Book Report #1: HR From The Heart
By Libby Sartain with Martha I. Finney

Not many people talk about it, but did you know that one-third of us in the workforce now engage in caregiving for older or disabled loved ones? And, by 2008, the percentage will increase to 54%. As the population continues to age, the number of caregivers in the workforce will grow, placing tremendous burdens on both workers and their employers. This trend will not go away. Employee caregivers cost U.S. industries between $11 billion and $29 billion annually in lost productivity. Both employees and employers can no longer afford to be silent about this problem. This educational program will identify specific barriers to caregiving and explore strategies to overcome them. It will provide the Human Resources professional with knowledge and tools to cope with this increasing problem.

Funded by AT&T and the National Council on the Aging, this free forum and lunch will begin with registration and networking from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. followed by the program to be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Greenspring Village is located off the Fairfax County Parkway and is easily accessible from I-95. This program has been approved for 3.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through HRCI. For more information or to register, e-mail Farrell Didio at fdidio@erols.com or call (703) 242-6635.

Is Your Company "Disability Friendly"?

Let others know your company supports diversity! Today, more and more businesses are recognizing that people with disabilities are valued employees and customers in their community. Designed to recognize businesses for demonstrative positive business practices in hiring, accommodating, and serving persons with disabilities, the Disability Friendly Business Program provides an opportunity for businesses to receive a “seal of recognition” based on meeting the following criteria:

1. Accessibility: Parking lots, doors, restrooms, accessible services;
2. Customer-Friendliness: Commitment of promoting awareness among its employees of the needs of people with disabilities; and
3. Employment-Friendliness: Commitment to hiring persons with disabilities or aiding employees with disabilities in furthering their careers.

Businesses awarded with this seal will be able to display the decal on their doors, windows, newsletters, brochures etc., as a symbol to staff, patrons, and others that they are not compliant with ADA, but also embrace a disability friendly attitude toward running their company.

“This is an exciting opportunity for companies to project their positive business practices,” said the Honorable John Hager, spokesperson for this program. “We hope that people will identify the seal as a symbol of business excellence, and will inspire other businesses to adopt the same level of common sense standards in hiring and serving persons with disabilities.”

For more information on the program or to nominate a business, visit www.vabln.org or contact Dana Rosanelli at (804) 782-7181.

Mark Your Calendars

Upcoming SHRM Conferences and Seminars

• 2003 HR Leadership Awards Gala, June 3, 2003, McLean Hilton at Tysons Corner. For information, visit www.hrleadership.org www.hrleadership.org.
• 55th Annual SHRM Conference and Exposition, June 22-25, 2003, Orlando, FL. For more information, visit /www.shrm.org/conferences/annual.
• 2003 VA SHRM State Conference, October 15-17, 2003 at the Fairview Park Marriott. Learn more at www.novashrm.org.

2003 Chapter Dinner Meetings

• June 18, 2003 - “Planning Your 2004 Health Plan Renewal: New Approaches, New Ideas - A Panel Discussion” with Dave Downer, Segal Group; Annette Eitan, Manager of Compensation and Benefits, The CNA Corporation; and Kevin Davisson, Regional Director of Sales, Lumenos.
• July 16, 2003 - (Special Breakfast Meeting) “How to Work a Crowd” with Ardell Fleeson, The Tower Club, Tysons Corner, VA
• August 20, 2003 - “Compensation Trends” with Mark Avery, MarketPay Associates
• September 17, 2003 - “From Expatriation to Repatriation” with Christine Smith, Wolf Group
• October 15, 2003 - “Diversity” with Katherine Huston, Freddie Mac
• November 19, 2003 - “Background and Drug Screening” with Vicki Tilton, Edge Information Management
• December 3, 2003 - Annual Holiday Party
• December 10, 2003 - Transition Board Meeting

Hire Disabled College Students And Recent Grads Through Free DOL Database
Submitted by Dulles SHRM Assistant Diversity Director Evelyn Kaiser

Through WRP’s complimentary CD-ROM database, employers can search for potential applicants by field of study, state, or school, in disciplines ranging from computer sciences and business, to communications engineering and office administration. Searches generate candidate profiles, academic and demographic data, and contact information from applications recruited by the program from more than 180 colleges and universities in over 40 states and territories. The CD-ROM and additional information are available from www.wrpjobs.com, or by contacting ODEP at (202) 693-7880.

Although this year’s WRP has just started, almost 150 students have already been placed in public and private sector positions said Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary for ODEP. He said WRP applicants are valuable because they can undertake special projects postponed for lack of time or resources, assist permanent staff with key projects, share innovative technical skills, and assume responsibilities of staff on vacation or leave.

“As a former educator, I find the WRP is an important resource for employers to find an exceptional pool of talented applicants with disabilities for summer and permanent positions. Applicants are highly motivated students and recent graduates who are eager to prove their abilities in the workforce,” said Grizzard.

Other resources ODEP offers to business to employ people with disabilities are the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the Employer Assistance and Referral Network (EARN). JAN is a toll-free information and referral service on job accommodations for people with disabilities. It can be reached at 1-800-526-7234 or at www.jan.wvu.edu . EARN, a national toll-free telephone and electronic information referral service, helps employers to locate and recruit qualified workers with disabilities. EARN can be reached at 1-866-Earn Now (1-866-327-6669) or via its website (www.earnworks.com).

ODEP also encourages employers and employees to access www.disabilityinfo.gov, a cross-governmental portal on disability easily accessible to all Americans.

Program Change: Breakfast Meeting To Be Held July 16

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!

Judy Perrault
President
Dulles SHRM
vprez@mindbank.com