March 2024

Dear Kansas SHRM Newsletter Readers,

I hope this message finds you well and thriving in your roles as HR professionals, business leaders, vendors, and supporters. As we continue thru 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible strength and knowledge that our community possesses.

Kansas SHRM is built on the foundation of collaboration, support, and continuous learning – with each area led by volunteer leaders giving of their time and talent to enhance and advance the HR profession. Each individual, and those who support them, bringing a unique perspective and expertise to the table, enriching our collective knowledge and fostering innovation within the field of HR.

To truly maximize the potential of our community, active participation is key. Your engagement not only benefits you as individuals but also enhances the experiences of all. Therefore, I encourage each and every one of you to take a proactive role in shaping the future of HR in Kansas.

Here are a few ways you can get involved and make a meaningful impact:

1. Attend Events: Whether it's conferences, webinars, workshops, or networking sessions, our events provide valuable opportunities to connect with industry experts, share best practices, and expand your professional network.
2. Join Committees: Kansas SHRM relies on the dedication and expertise of committee members to drive initiatives forward. Consider joining a committee that aligns with your interests and skills, and contribute your talents to make a difference. Local chapter affiliates in your area are looking for committee members too!
3. Share Your Insights: Have a success story, a lesson learned, or a pressing HR issue on your mind? Don't hesitate to share your insights with the community – send your social post thru Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram or email office@ksshrm.org. Your experiences can inspire and enlighten others facing similar challenges. Side note: soon we’ll have a forum on the website to enhance communication and engagement!
4. Nominate for Awards: Do you know a phenomenal HR professional with a proven track record? Or perhaps a newbie to the field who demonstrates great potential? Nominations for the Trombold Kansas HR Professional of the Year and Rising Star will open soon.
5. Mentorship and Peer Support: Embrace the spirit of mentorship by offering guidance to colleagues who are navigating their HR careers, especially those in the HR Registered Apprenticeship program. Likewise, don't hesitate to seek advice and support from fellow Kansas SHRM peeps when needed. Together, we can overcome obstacles and achieve greater success.
6. Sponsorship: Get the word out your business or institution by sponsoring lunch and learns, our website, job postings, this very newsletter, and more! Or partner with us at the annual state conference.
7. Spread the Word: Help us grow our community by spreading the word about the benefits of local chapter membership. Encourage your colleagues and peers to join us on this journey of professional development and collaboration.

Remember, your active participation is what fuels Kansas SHRM’s collective success. Let's come together, energize one another, and continue to elevate the practice of HR to new heights!

Makala Navarro, SHRM-CP, PHR, CPM

Kansas SHRM State Council Director

Saddle Up at the 2024 KS SHRM Conference

Mark your calendar for the 2024 KS SHRM Conference in Mulvane, KS. Conference attendance provides up to 12 recertification hours for in-person attendees and 24 hours for those viewing the On-Demand recording. We are planning to host 400+ attendees this year, so register now! Early bird registration is effective through May 31, 2024.

SHRM Issues Public Comment on Apprenticeships

SHRM submitted a public comment to the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) on the proposed rule “National Apprenticeship System Enhancements.” In its comment, SHRM commended the DOL for prioritizing the nation’s apprenticeship system to solve persistent talent and skills shortages. SHRM’s 2024 research on talent trends indicates that approximately 4 in 5 organizations have found apprenticeships to be somewhat or very effective in addressing talent shortages. SHRM also shared concerns that the proposed rule could deter participation from small and midsize business due to being administratively burdensome.

You can't afford to miss the Kansas Business Expo, the ultimate event for entrepreneurs and employers. Make sure to register today! The Expo is scheduled for April 4, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lawrence.

The Expo is a fusion of two powerful events: The Kansas Minority Business Summit and the Kansas Workforce Development & Education Summit. By attending the Expo, you get access to both and benefit from their combined value.

At the Kansas Minority Business Summit, you will meet and network with other minority business owners and entrepreneurs who share your vision and passion. You will also get access to a variety of resources and opportunities to help you grow and succeed in your industry.

At the Workforce Summit, you will learn how to overcome the staffing challenges that many Kansas businesses face. You will hear from exports and leaders in human resources, education, and policy who will share their insights and solutions on how to attract, retain, and develop the best talent for your business.

The Kansas Business Expo is more than just an event. It's a game-changer for your business and your career.

RETAINWORKS is a no-cost, grant-funded program focused on helping people who have been effected by an injury, illness, or worsening health problems. It is part of the national Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network.

The program provides opportunities to improve Stay-At-Work/Return-To-Work outcomes for individuals with injuries and illnesses.

To date, it has currently served 683 enrollments!

Read below about the partnership between Kansas SHRM and RETAINWORKS. Visit https://retainworks.org to learn more about this program.

Kansas Micro-Internships Program

The Kansas Micro-Internships (KMI) program celebrated it's third anniversary last month. Kansas businesses, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurs can now receive unlimited no cost project help the rest of this calendar year.

Thanks to funding from the Strada Education Network, any Kansas organization or business can get unlimited on-demand help at no cost without any paperwork if they select Kansas community or technical college students to complete projects in business operations, communications, IT, HR, marketing, and many other areas.

 Click here to register and post your short-term (10-40 hour) projects today!

Certification Update

Mona Martin, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Certification Director

Don't forget! The Spring SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification exam window is May 1 through July 15. The registration period ends April 19. Click here to learn more about registering.

Did you know? According to fourth quarter 2023 data, 45% of Kansas' chapter members are SHRM certified. We hope to see that number increase even more in 2024.

Kansas chapters: Mona Martin has an extra SHRM Learning System that can be loaned to you, if needed. Email Mona if interested in learning more.

Foundation Update

Tammy Bissette, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

SHRM Foundation Director

KS State Council of SHRM conducts fundraising efforts for the and makes donations on behalf of the State Council to the SHRM Foundation every year. We want our local members to benefit from the scholarships and programs the SHRM Foundation provides for student and professional members and develops evidence-based practices for the workforce. The SHRM Foundation awards scholarships that allow professional and student members the opportunity to:

Pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees;

Obtain SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification; 

Attend Annual Conference & Exposition; and 

Attend Talent Management & Exposition

The SHRM Foundation is grateful for the support of individuals, organizations, companies, SHRM Chapters and State Councils. The support received from SHRM allows the SHRM Foundation to use every dollar raised to advance our mission by awarding scholarships to students and professionals and developing evidence-based solutions. 

Chapter Members like Tammy Bissette, SHRM Foundation scholarship recipient, needed a scholarship to get her human resources certificate with her masters program. “As a mom working full-time, volunteering, and attending classes full-time, the SHRM scholarships paid for my additional certificate in Human Resources Certificate as part of my MBA program.” 

SHRM Foundation offers annual conference grants that pay for conference attendance which allows people to network, identify emerging trends, and discuss relevant ideas . If selected to receive a SHRM Foundation Annual Conference and Expo grant, a member of the SHRM Foundation team will work with the recipients on Annual Conference registration and hotel bookings. Recipients are responsible for scheduling travel plans and submitting all itemized travel-related invoices/receipts not to exceed $500. (i.e., flight, meals, gas, tolls, taxi/Uber, etc.). 

Please note, the SHRM Foundation does not reimburse for any fees or expenses incurred by applicants prior to being awarded the professional development grant. SHRM/SHRM Foundation employees or board members and the immediate family are not eligible to apply for SHRM Foundation Scholarships, Grants, or Awards.

To apply for the annual conference grant: https://shrmf.smapply.io/prog/2024_annual_conference_and_exposition_grant_/. 

For more information on the SHRM Foundation's initiatives, email SHRMFoundation@shrm.org or call (703) 535-6020.

SHRMJC has been awarded the 2023 SHRM Learning System Champion Status!

What does this mean and how did we accomplish this? Our chapter’s support of SHRM’s Certification is an integral part of SHRM’s success, and they extended this recognition as a thank you for all that SHRMJC has done to elevate the HR Profession! The SHRM Learning System Champion Recognition is SHRM’s way of publicly thanking our SHRMJC chapter for promoting and supporting SHRM’s Certification to our members. SHRM has recognized SHRMJC and stated how much they appreciate all that we do to support SHRM, the HR Profession, and Education Partners offering SHRM Certification Preparation programs. Way to go, SHRMJC! 

Our Kansas Chapters are hosting incredible events across the state, including many virtual opportunities! You can click here or on the Affiliate Chapters tab to find any one of our chapters to be directed to their website to find upcoming events.

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