Join Us at the June Meeting For "Changing Trends in Health Care"
Embry Rucker Shelter Donations Update
Community Assistance
Chapter Discussion Group
Update On Dulles SHRM Road Trip To Capital Hill
Board Meeting Minutes
Get Current On Chapter News
"The ABC's Of Retaining Your Star Employees"
HR Leadership Awards of Greater Washington
"Educational Assistance and The Bottom Line"
Mark Your Calendar
State Workforce Serviced program Supports Job Creation By Virginia Businesses
Check Out Previous Newsletters
Join Us at the June Meeting For "Changing Trends in Health Care"
For Details on the Program: Click Here
Embry Rucker Shelter Donations Update
During the April dinner meeting, Dulles SHRM members donated $50 for the Embry Rucker Shelter. The cash contributions were used to purchase five $10 Target gift certificates to be distributed to the homeless. Director Anita Bonic extends her sincere appreciation for your generosity.
Community Assistance
Dulles Chapter Diversity/Workforce Education Director Evelyn Kaiser presents our May community assistance organization, ServiceSource, represented by Carol Johnson and Roz Harper. ServiceSource works in conjunction with rehabilitation and business partners to expand work opportunities for people with disabilities in the community and to prepare individuals for transition into the workforce. Partnerships with learning institutions like Northern Virginia Community College, George Mason University, and Prince George’s Community College have educated and prepared program participants to achieve independence.
Trainees have been placed into IT positions such as Web Designer and Help Desk with major IT firms such as SAIC. For the past six years, ServiceSource has successfully trained individuals for Administrative Assistant positions at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Ongoing computer training is offered at the Laurie Mitchell Employment Centers at two locations in Virginia.
Many individuals have furthered their education and advanced to other professions as a result of support and training obtained through ServiceSource. As the organization finishes its 32nd year, it is acknowledged as an industry leader for quality, innovative programs and collaborative relationships. People served by ServiceSource over the years are active, integral, and valued members of local communities. To learn more, contact Carol Johnson at (703) 461-6141 or e-mail Carol at cjohnson@ourpeoplework.org.
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.
Update On Dulles SHRM Road Trip To Capital Hill
Sixteen members and friends of Dulles SHRM visited Congress on May 12 to share views and concerns on pending legislation. Issues of concern included proposed FLSA revisions and EEOC guidelines on the definition of “applicant.” The day began with a visit to SHRM National headquarters where the group was welcomed and briefed on legislation in these key areas. Amani Council, Manager of Member Advocacy, Mike Aitken, Director of Government Affairs, and their staffs did a great job in preparing the group to visit legislators and share input. The visit to SHRM concluded with an overview of SHRM’s Information Center and the many resources provided to members, as well as a tour of the building and the Information Center.
After lunch, the first appointment was with Representative Frank Wolf, Congressman for the 10th District in Virginia. The Dulles area lies within Congressman Wolf’s district. After sharing views and support of the modified proposal by the DOL on the need to update FLSA legislation (which Rep. Wolf clearly supports), he asked the group for their support on the rising threat of gang violence in northern Virginia. Violent crimes tied to gang activity are a major and growing concern in the area, and the Congressman asked for support in helping get the message out to the membership and begin educating constituents on the need to address this issue proactively. The group promised to stay in touch with his office on both these issues.
A tour of the House of Representatives Gallery followed where the group observed a vote on HR 2471. Don’t ask what this legislation was about for there was only time to observe the voting briefly before the next appointment with Senator John Warner’s office! The group met with Senator Warner’s Legislative Counsel, Katherine Suh, where they spent the majority of time discussing developments in the Senate on the DOL proposal on FLSA regulations. Ms. Suh explained the tortuous path the proposal is taking with the Harkin amendment and how this may yet turn out well in the House and Conference Committee. But by no means is it a done deal, and Dulles SHRM members are encouraged to contact their respective Representative and request support for the proposed DOL regulations. Senator Warner supports the current DOL FLSA proposal. The group took the opportunity to share views on the EEOC guidelines on the definition of an “applicant.” Ms. Suh promised to research the issue further and to remain engaged as events progress.
All in all, it was an enjoyable and productive “Day Inside the Beltway.” Another visit is planned for next year. If you are interested, watch for further information or contact Dulles SHRM Legislative Liaison Mary Lynn Billitteri (marylynn@americanpressinstitute.org). Dulles SHRM extends our gratitude to Mary Lynn who did a fantastic job organizing this first-ever Dulles SHRM visit to Capitol Hill.
Get Current On Chapter News
Recent Chapter News:
- SHRM recently notified President Cindy Loison that Dulles SHRM received a Superior Merit Award for the 2003 year. Our thanks to 2003 Dulles SHRM President Judy Perrault whose hard work and leadership enabled the chapter to receive this award. A new podium banner and official letter and certificate will be arriving soon.
- Our thanks to Vice President, Membership Bonnie Little who recently issued the soft copy Spring Edition of the 2004 Dulles Chapter Membership Directory to our 147 chapter members. Please notify Bonnie (blittle@mrketr.com ) if you have changes. Another edition is planned for fall 2004. New members will receive a copy in their welcome kits.
- In response to many requests for our meeting sponsors, Dulles SHRM will soon begin accepting website ads from Human Resources-related organizations. For a 1-year fee of $250, the sponsor will receive a front-page logo display, a link to a newly created page on our website to describe the sponsor’s product or services and contact information, and a link to the sponsor’s website. Sponsors may request a website ad by completing the online form or contacting Vice President, Programs Amy Lourenco (amylourenco@yahoo.com ) or Assistant Vice President, Programs Mary Saily (msaily@humanr.com ).
- Dulles SHRM will begin offering Member Orientation to current and new members to provide information on the chapter and its activities. The first Orientation will be held in advance of the June chapter meeting from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the Dulles Marriott Suites. Plans are to hold Orientation twice annually. E-mail invitations will be sent to all members with RSVPs required. Orientation will be facilitated by Member-at-Large Cornelia Gamlem with an introduction provided by Vice President, Membership Bonnie Little. Our thanks to Certification Representative Maggie Chan, Bonnie, and Cornelia for launching this new feature for members.
"The ABC's Of Retaining Your Star Employees"
Friday, June 4
An outstanding learning opportunity is coming this June. Lord Fairfax Community College, Middletown Campus, in conjunction with the Winchester Area SHRM Chapter, is presenting Beverly Kaye, author of the highly acclaimed Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em, for a half-day program to be held on Friday, June 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The program includes a continental breakfast, speaker presentation, and author reception. The fee is $99 per person. Lord Fairfax Community College is located off I-81 in Middletown, VA.
For information, registration, and directions, visit www.lfcc.edu or www.washrm.org or call (540) 868-7021. Advance registration is required.
HR Leadership Awards of Greater Washington
Tuesday, June 8, 2004, Ritz-Carlton
Register online for the The HR Leadership Awards of Greater Washington to be held on Tuesday, June 8, at the spectacular Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. The evening program includes socializing and celebration beginning at 6 p.m. and dinner and program at 7 p.m.
Gala keynote speaker will be Darrell Green, former All-Pro Washington Redskin and founder of the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation. At the Gala, six awards will be presented for human resources professional excellence in large commercial, small commercial, Government, and non-profit organizations as well as an award for ethics and one for community service/corporate social responsibility.
Visit the Leadership Awards website at www.hrleadership.org for additional information.
"Educational Assistance and The Bottom Line"
Thursday and Friday, June 17-18
The American Council on Education (ACE) cordially invites you to join a select group of your peers for two days of learning and interaction with your colleagues at a workshop entitled “Educational Assistance and the Bottom Line.” This workshop, held in collaboration with Jacqueline Johnson Associates, LLC, is designed to help your organization maximize its educational assistance dollars. Speakers will include:
- Dr. Franklin C. Ashby, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Leadership Capital Group and author of Embracing Excellence and Revitalize Your Corporate Culture to learn how to become an employer of choice and to attract and keep the best talent,
- Ted Lehne, Program Manager, Delta U, Delta Air Lines who will discuss how Delta saved over $400k in just one year on employee tuition reimbursement,
- Jacqueline Johnson, President, Jacqueline Johnson & Associates, and co-author of Pocket Guide to College Credits and Degrees, and
- Jo Ann Robinson, Director, American Council on Education’s Corporate Programs.
Date: Thursday and Friday, June 17-18
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: National Center for Higher Education Conference Center, One Dupont Circle, N.W., Washington, D.C.
Cost: $700
For more information, go to www.acenet.edu.
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming SHRM Conferences and Seminars
2004 Conferences
- June 27-30 - SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
2004 Chapter Dinner Meetings
- June 16 - “Changing Trends in Health Care Benefits” with George Lane, Marsh
- July 21 (Tentative) - “New FLSA Rules” with Caryn Pass, Krupin O’Brien
- August 18 - “Succession Planning” with Karen Stacy, Freddie Mac
- September 22 -“Selling Corporate Culture Transformation to Your Bosses or Customers: The Lightning Workshop” with Dr. Thomas Meylan, Evolving Success
- October 20 - “Keeping Talent - Actions That Matter” with Burgess Levin, HumanR
- November 17 - "Making Mandatory HR Training Fun: How To Turn "Prisoners" into Learners" with Wendy Mack, T3 Consulting
- December 8 - Annual Holiday Party
- December 15 - Transition Board Meeting
State Workforce Serviced program Supports Job Creation By Virginia Businesses
Contributed by Diversity/Workforce Education Director Evelyn Kaiser
Did you know that there is a state agency devoted to the growth and success of existing businesses? The Virginia Department of Business Assistance, formerly the Department of Economic Development, promotes economic growth in the Commonwealth by helping Virginia businesses prosper. The agency carries out its mission by providing access to capital, incentives for workforce development, support for small business incubators, and small business counseling.
The agency’s Workforce Services program, one of the state’s most popular incentive programs, has helped over 5,000 companies since the program began in 1965. The Workforce Services team provides customized recruiting and training services to companies that are creating new jobs or experiencing technological change. As a business development incentive supporting economic development efforts throughout Virginia, the program reduces the human resource development costs of new and expanding companies throughout the Commonwealth. With strong support from the Governor and the General Assembly, the Workforce Services program is completely state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for its citizens.
In order to qualify for the Workforce Services program, companies must meet the following criteria:
Businesses with 250 or less employees company-wide must:
- Create a minimum of five net new full-time jobs over a 12-month period,
- Make a capital investment of at least $100,000 to support the new job creation (lease and equipment may be included),
- Pay a minimum entry-level wage rate of at least $8.00 per hour, and
- Serve businesses, not individual consumers (no retail).
Businesses with over 250 employees company-wide must:
- Create a minimum of 25 net new full-time jobs over a 3-year period,
- Make a capital investment of at least $1,000,000 to support the new job creation (lease and equipment may be included),
- Pay a minimum entry-level wage rate of at least $8.00 per hour,
- Serve businesses, not individual consumers (no retail),
- Generate at least 50% of their revenue from outside Virginia (can include Federal Government), and
- Have considered expanding or locating in another state or country.
Workforce Services also assists companies in need of retraining their existing workforce due to an integration of new technology into their production processes, changing product lines in keeping with marketplace demands, or substantially changing their service delivery process requiring an assimilation of new skills and technological capabilities. Retraining is defined as upgrading the skills of existing employees identified as essential to the production or distribution of a product.
Companies qualifying for any of the Workforce Services programs receive, at no charge, human resource and training consulting services, organizational development training, electronic media services to support their recruiting and training efforts, and funding for each new job created. The Workforce Services program, consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation, prides itself on minimal paperwork. The application consists of 1½ pages, and companies need only complete a 1-page form when ready to receive their reimbursements.
In addition to its incentive program, Workforce Services also promotes the Virginia Worker Retraining Tax Credit. Companies not participating in Workforce Service’s Retraining Program may claim a tax credit for the costs of providing worker retraining to qualified employees. Eligible worker retraining includes:
- Noncredit courses provided by any of Virginia's community colleges (www.vccs.edu) or an accredited school, and
- Credit or noncredit worker retraining courses undertaken through an apprenticeship agreement.
The credit is 30% of all training costs incurred through a community college, or an annual credit of up to $100 per student if training through a private school. The credit is allowable against individual income tax, estate and trust tax, corporate income tax, bank franchise tax, and taxes imposed upon insurance companies and utility companies. The credit is nonrefundable, but excess credit may be carried forward for the next three taxable years. To download a copy of the application and instructions, visit the website of the Virginia Department of Taxation at .
For more information on Workforce Services or the agency’s other programs and services, please contact:
Virginia Department of Business Assistance
Workforce Services Division
707 E. Main Street, Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 371-8120
wfs@dba.virginia.gov
www.dba.state.va.us
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!
Cindy Loison
President
Dulles SHRM
cloisonhr@aol.com
