Join Us For "Coaching for the Bottom Line: Using Personal Development to Achieve Business Results" On Wednesday, June 15 (Dinner Meeting)
Embry Rucker Shelter Donations Update
May Community Speaker Presents Operation Job Match
Free Database Available To Employers
Chapter Discussion Group
Board Meeting Minutes
Dulles SHRM Member Survey - We're Listening
Dulles SHRM To Collaboate With Palmer & Cay On 1st Annual D.C. Area Benefits Survey
Employer Strategy Session Of Governor Warner's Early Childhood Summit
2nd Annual Dulles SHRM Capitol Hill Visit Planned For September
2005 Virginia State Conference "Reflections At The Beach"
Public Service Advertisement
2005 HR Leadership Awards Of Grater Washington Finalists And Scholarship Winners Announced
Upcoming Initiatives To Offer "Community Connections" For Dulles Chapter Members
Mark Your Calendar
Welcome To New Members
Dulles Chapter Member Wins Award
The Virginia Business Network Presents:
Article: U.S. Healthcare Reform: Riding Stormy Waters Through Congress

Join Us For "Coaching for the Bottom Line: Using Personal Development to Achieve Business Results" On Wednesday, June 15 (Dinner Meeting)

For Details on the Program: Click Here

Embry Rucker Shelter Donations Update

Members who attended the April dinner meeting donated $40 for the Embry Rucker Shelter. Donations were used to purchase two Target gift certificates for the homeless. Embry Rucker Shelter Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Wilson extends her sincere appreciation for your generosity.

May Community Speaker Presents Operation Job Match

May Community Speaker Steven Nissen, Operation Job Match Program Director for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of the National Capital Chapter, joins us to discuss Operation Job Match (OJM). OJM is an employment assistance and support program for individuals with adult-onset physical disability including multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis, diabetes, and spinal cord injury. Through the program, OJM staff assists individuals in making informed choices about their employment situation.

Operation Job Match assists qualified individuals in returning to work and maintaining competitive employment. Through exploring accommodation strategies, obtaining a better understanding of an individual’s rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and discussing the pros and cons of disclosure, that job seeker can better present himself or herself to a potential employer and be more equipped to address possible concerns of that employer. That confidence and knowledge will allow an employee to be even more productive and efficient in their job. Individualized direct job search assistance is also provided throughout the process from conducting vocational assessments, assisting with updating cover letters and resumes, interview role playing, disclosure training, and utilizing a job bank through which employers can post their available positions.

Employers can benefit from working with OJM. They can be provided with disability training. The can post their job vacancies through OJM, thereby eliciting responses from highly trained and experienced individuals. Employers who take an active interest in disability issues and tap into “the hidden source” of employees can be models for other employers. They can have an impact on assisting people with disabilities maintain their independence by providing guidance, mentorship, and support during the job search process. Most importantly, they have the potential of hiring a qualified individual.

Learn more at www.operationjobmatch.org or call Steve Nissen at (202) 296-5363.

Free Database Available To Employers

Dulles Chapter Diversity/Education/Workforce Director Evelyn Kaiser announces that the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) released its database of college students seeking summer jobs and internships. The database captures over 1,900 pre-screened job candidates with disabilities and is available on a free CD-ROM. The database lets employers search for potential applicants by academic major, home state, school, or key word. In addition, the database captures the results of personal interviews with each candidate.

To request a copy of the WRP database on CD-ROM, send your name, company name, and mailing address to wrp@dol.gov or call ODEP at (202) 693-7880.

Dulles SHRM Member Survey - We're Listening

Thanks to all of you who participated in our recent member survey. The Dulles SHRM Board was pleased that 34% of you took the time to respond (20% to 25% is typical for member surveys).

What We Learned

Responses show high levels of satisfaction with our programs and activities (ratings were on a 5-point scale; 5 = very satisfied). Every item on the 2005 Member Survey scored above 4.0 (Satisfied), and many items showed an increase over 2004 member ratings. The three lowest rated items in the 2004 member survey (dinner speakers, job posting, and book reviews) showed the greatest increases in satisfaction, as shown in the table below.

To help us plan future programs, the survey included a list of topics organized by category. Those selected as being of greatest interest include:

• Employee relations/morale - ways to increase retention/reduce turnover, defining/communicating company culture, how to change culture
• Performance management - trends/best practices and competency development
• Legal Issues - employment law and compliance*
• Benefits - creative approaches to benefits, executive level compensation and benefits
• General HR - measuring HR effectiveness and HR as an effective business partner
• Compensation - current trends and rewards & recognition programs*

We also asked for comments and suggestions, and members suggested a variety of program and networking ideas.

Actions Being Taken

The Board is using the data to plan upcoming programs. A program on performance management is scheduled for May 2005. Other topics of greatest interest to members will fill the remaining slots for 2005 and 2006. In addition to survey results, the Board uses information from meeting evaluations to plan our programs. Thanks to all of you who are providing feedback - be assured, we’re listening!

Dulles SHRM To Collaboate With Palmer & Cay On 1st Annual D.C. Area Benefits Survey

A comprehensive benefits survey has not been available in the Washington, D.C. area for many years. Although interim surveys have been published over the last several years, the most recent comprehensive survey was conducted in 2000 by WTPF and Mercer HR Consulting. Organizations across all industries report a need to understand current benefits trends and costs in order to ensure competitiveness and ongoing ability to attract and retain the best talent.

The Dulles SHRM Chapter and Palmer & Cay are collaborating to publish the 1st Annual Washington, D.C. Area Benefits Survey. Tentative plans are to collect 2006 plan year survey data during January 2006 and to publish the survey in Spring 2006, giving most users adequate time to study results prior to 2006 open enrollment.

Survey data will be collected electronically and will cover the full range of employee benefits. In addition, participants will be surveyed on benefits communications, with emphasis on Web communications, on benefits strategy and planning, and on local trends, including the user of consumerism and annual plan changes.

Dulles Chapter representative Nancy Streeter (nabss@aol.com) and Palmer & Cay representatives Chris Bartnik (chris_bartnik@palmercay.com), Tim Meacham (tim_meacham@palmercay.com), and Joan Sherman (joan_sherman@palmercay.com) have formed a Steering Committee to launch the survey. Invitees for the Steering Committee are WEB, NOVA SHRM, Leesburg SHRM, WACABA, WTPF, HRA-NCA, and Montgomery County SHRM. Local human resource chapters and organizations may appoint a representative to participate on the Steering Committee. A kick-off meeting is planned for June.

Survey success depends highly upon participation by area-wide firms representing all size entities and the predominant industries located in the D.C. area. All Dulles Chapter organizations are strongly urged to join the survey. More information will be available in the months ahead.

Employer Strategy Session Of Governor Warner's Early Childhood Summit
Wednesday, May 25, University of Richmond

2nd Annual Dulles SHRM Capitol Hill Visit Planned For September

Legislative Liaison Denise Hartman announces plans for the Dulles Chapter’s 2nd annual visit to Capitol Hill. Based upon excellent reviews from last year’s trip, Chapter members should plan to join HR colleagues for an eye-opening day of discussion with SHRM and Hill representatives with plenty of opportunity to learn about pending legislation. Details will follow in the months ahead. Contact Denise at denise@paxton.com or (703) 764-3312 for more information.

2005 Virginia State Conference "Reflections At The Beach"
September 25-27, Cavalier Hotel, Virginia Beach

Sponsorship and exhibit information is available online at www.hrshrm.org or by contacting jhurrell@headwaystaffing.com or pcreef@headwaystaffing.com. Early Bird Registration is available until May 31 at a discounted price of $290. Registration prices increase to $350 after May 31 and $375 after July 31.

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.

Public Service Advertisement

To learn more, visit VRTC’s website at www.VRTC.org.

2005 HR Leadership Awards Of Grater Washington
Finalists And Scholarship Winners Announced
Tuesday, June 7, McLean Hilton

Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are still available to recognize and promote outstanding leadership in the increasingly critical human resources profession. For more information, please contact Susanne Bruno Ninassi, Executive Director, HR Leadership Awards, at 703-284-5975 or www.hrleadership.org.

Upcoming Initiatives To Offer "Community Connections" For Dulles Chapter Members

Mark Your Calendars

Upcoming SHRM Conferences and Seminars

2005 Conferences

• May 22-25 - WorldatWork Annual Conference & Exposition, New Orleans, LA
• June 19-22 - SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition, San Diego, CA
• September 25-27 - 2005 Virginia State Conference, Virginia Beach, VA (www.hrshrm.org)

2005 Chapter Dinner Meetings

• June 15 (Dinner Meeting) - “Coaching for the Bottom Line: Using Personal Development to Achieve Business Results” with Alice Waagen, Ph.D., Workforce Learning
• July 20 (Breakfast Meeting) - To be announced
• August 17 (Dinner Meeting) - “Changing Corporate Culture - Lessons Learned” with Tom Lokar, Ph.D., America Online
• September 21 (Dinner Meeting) - “HR and the Law” with Misti Mukerjee, Odin, Feldman & Pittleman, PC
• October 19 (Breakfast Meeting) - Disability Month Speaker TBD
• November 16 (Dinner Meeting) - To be announced
• December 7 (Dinner Meeting) - Holiday Party
• December 14 (Dinner Meeting) - Transition Board Meeting

Welcome To New Members
Contributed by Vice President, Membership Bonnie Little

Dulles Chapter Member Wins Award

Pam Marsters, who has been in Dulles SHRM for years and works for the U.S. Geological Survey, just won one of three HRA-NCA awards.

Pam and her colleague, Laure Wallace, have won an HRA-NCA Strategic Business Award in Effective Workforce Planning.

As a winner, Pam will receive:

• Recognition at the April 20th Gala Dinner at the City Club of Washington
• Recognition in a press release to be distributed to the media
• A complimentary one-year membership in HRA-NCA.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been engaged in workforce planning for the past several years, benchmarking best practices, building an automated skills assessment and data warehouse capability, and assisting science center managers in doing workforce planning in a way that meets their needs.

Congratulations Pam! We are very proud of you!

The Virginia Business Network Presents:
Assistive Technology Seminar for Employers and HR Professionals

How:
Attendance is free, compliments of the Virginia Business Leadership Network but you must register to attend. Please visit www.vabln.org to register. For further information please contact Dana Rosanelli at dana.rosanelli@suntrust.com or 804-782-7181.

The Virginia Business Leadership Network is a business led coalition dedicated to increasing workforce and marketplace diversity to include people with disabilities.

This program has been approved for 3 recertification credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). For more information, visit www.hrci.org.

PHR/SPHR 3-Day Prep Course To Be Offered Through George Mason University
May 16-18, Center for Innovative Technology, Herndon

George Mason University is offering a 3-day training course to prepare human resource professionals for the upcoming PHR/SPHR exam. Instructors Paul Shibelski and Melanie Ott will provide a comprehensive review of the entire body of HR knowledge in preparation for the PHR/SPHR exam. The program will help to highlight areas that may require further study.

Date: May 16-18, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where Center for Innovative Technology, Herndon, VA
Cost: $995 for Dulles SHRM Members
Information: www.ocpe.gmu.edu or call (703) 993-4800 and ask for Sandra

U.S. Healthcare Reform: Riding Stormy Waters Through Congress
Contributed by Legislative Liaison Denise Hartman

Is your company experiencing a significant increase in healthcare costs? Are you as an HR professional aware that the United States spends more on health care than any other country in the world, yet the nation’s healthcare delivery system is marked by inefficiencies that often have an adverse impact on the cost and quality of healthcare services?

These and other family issues are what today’s HR professionals are grappling with on a daily basis. This is especially true of healthcare because HR professionals are responsible for the design and implementation of employee health benefit plans; this gives them first-hand knowledge on the effects of rising health care costs on employers and the workforce alike.

It is now considered by the 109th Congress as one of the key issues that must be addressed after they return from their summer recess in September. Congressional representatives will likely debate a number of proposals to address health care access, affordability, and quality. Specific proposals of interest to HR professionals include:

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s)
Health FSAs allow employees to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for healthcare services and over-the-counter medications. If funds remain in an employees account at the end of the year, the money is forfeited back to the employer. While many employers currently offer FSAs, HR professionals cite the FSA “use-it-or-lose-it” rule as a major reason for low participation rates in these valuable spending accounts. SHRM supports modifying the FSA “use-it-or-lose-it” rule to allow limited funds to rollover from year to year.

Medical Liability Reform
Legislation designed to reform the nation’s medical malpractice system by capping punitive and non-economic damages in medical liability cases has been introduced in the 109th Congress. Health care providers often practice defensive medicine as a tactic against liability, which leads to an increase in healthcare costs. SHRM supports efforts to strike a balance protecting patients harmed by malpractice and preventing unnecessary and costly litigation that contributes to rising health care costs.

Patient Safety
Bipartisan legislation to reduce medical errors by creating a voluntary system through which medical providers could report errors to Patient Safety Organizations passed both the House and Senate in the 108th Congress. Unfortunately, Congress was unable to finalize this important legislation before the end of the congressional session. SHRM encourages Congress to improve patient safety by enacting legislation to help reduce medical errors.

Health Information Technology
The Department of Health and Human Services has estimated that a national health information network can save an estimated $140 billion per year through improved care and reduced duplication of medical tests. Greater use of health information technology will help reduce costs and improve patient safety by reducing errors and inefficiencies in the delivery of care. HR professionals support both public and private investment in the resources, standards, and technology needed to create an effective information network.

In summary: Healthcare in the U.S. is at a definite crossroads, with no clear mandate by a majority of experts on to how to correct the system. HR professionals must understand the importance of offering competitive employee health benefit plans to recruit and retain a talented and productive workforce. Health benefit mandates, however well intended, drive up the cost of healthcare plans for both employers and employees. To continue offering healthcare coverage to its workforce, employers are often forced to shift a greater portion of the premium to employees, causing many employees to forgo coverage.

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!

Kurt Cowles
President
Dulles SHRM
kcowles@mitre.org