The workplace is changing! The traditional relationship between the employer and employee continues to be impacted by the fluctuating economy, downsizing/rightsizing, and blurred career paths. The uncertainty of staffing levels has employers scrambling to retain their quality employees while seeking additional help.

The demographics of the workforce are shifting, forcing us to rethink how we motivate and recognize our employees. What does the future hold? What competencies do we HR professionals need to be embracing as strategic business partners? Take a look into the "crystal ball" at the emerging and evolving trends facing the workplace today...and tomorrow with Keith Greene, SPHR, Vice President of Member Relations for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Performance Conversations Instead of Performance Confrontations

Most managers dread the annual performance review session because it is often filled with anxiety, anger, fear and other emotions that cloud the improvement-oriented messages they intend to deliver.

This session will describe a process of creating an environment and dialogue with subordinates that enhances their understanding and appreciation for their own performance outcomes and gives them the feedback necessary to ensure that positive performance continues.

Nominations for the 2007 Strategic Business Awards are now being accepted! The deadline for applications is March 16, 2007.

HRA-NCA will salute outstanding achievement in human resources through this award program. The HRA-NCA Strategic Business Awards will honor individuals and companies for their professional contributions in three categories: Effective Workforce Planning, Successful Work Life Strategies and Excellence in Community Service.

Click here for the Nomination Application.

Click here to register for the event.

Join 200+ HR professionals on February 27th at HRA-NCA’s one-day conference. Choose to attend 3 of 18 sessions focusing practical skill building on critical and contemporary HR topics. Gain insights into strategic HR during our breakfast and luncheon sessions. Network with friends and colleagues throughout the day and during the afternoon reception. This conference promises something for every professional at every level.

BNA and HRA-NCA have established a Member Discount Program, offering HRA-NCA members access to an unparalleled set of HR resources designed to help you improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and management of your organization's HR function. All BNA HR information resources are available via BNA's new online store, including both subscription services (i.e. BNA's flagship HR Library) and non-subscription services (i.e. audioconferences). Best of all, HRA-NCA is pleased to bring you these HR resources at a 10% discount, in cooperation with BNA, Inc., the industry's leader in HR information services.

Please use the links on the www.HRA-NCA.org site to take advantage of this discount.

If you are currently preparing to take the PHR/SPHR exam consider joining the Certification Study Group. The group was created to assist you with study tips, information sharing, motivation and support. The study group has online and in- person meetings.

The group is based in Yahoo! Groups and is named HRANCAcert.

Society for Human Resource Management Invites you to a taping of CEO Exchange.

Join them for a live taping of the PBS program CEO EXCHANGE, a unique business series sponsored by the Society and produced for national public television by WTTW National Productions in Chicago. Recorded live at premier business schools across the country, each program features two prominent CEOs in candid conversation with each other and veteran broadcast journalist Jeff Greenfield. Each show also reveals the personal side of business as the guest CEOs discuss some of the intangible values that drive their business strategies and decisions.

Looking to contribute in the area of Compensation and Benefits Surveys? HRA-NCA is calling for volunteers for the 2007-2008 Compensation Survey Committee and the 2007-2008 Benefits Survey Committee.

For 27 years, HRA-NCA’s Compensation Survey has been widely recognized throughout the region as the most comprehensive and reliable in the industry. Earlier this year, the Benefits Survey was introduced with great success. This is your opportunity to join a team of outstanding fellow HR professionals and to play a key role in the development of these high quality surveys. Substantial experience in the respective areas for each of the committees are required. Duties include attending monthly committee meetings, contributing to the development and improvement of the survey instrument, and reviewing final survey results.

To apply, write a letter of interest outlining your experience and indicating the committee you are interested in and e-mail them to Doug Lwin, Director of HRA-NCA Surveys, at Doug.Lwin@ americancapital.com. All applicants must be current members of HRA-NCA. Please send applications by January 23, 2007.

Cheryl A. Zetts is conducting a brief survey (14 multiple choice and 6 demographic questions) to determine what skills/ qualifications Human Resource professionals require of college graduates when considering them for entry-level positions in the fields of math and science, and to see how those compare to other current studies.

In particular, she is seeking responses from Human Resource professionals responsible for interviewing and hiring entry-level actuaries, architects, computer systems analysts (or similar type positions), and/or engineers (chemical, electrical, mechanical).

If you hire for these positions and can spare 10 minutes to help a fellow professional complete her thesis, please read About the Survey below.

Thank you in advance for participating in this survey.

You may look up these and other members' information in the HRA-NCA online membership directory, using various search categories. Log in through the "Member Login" on the HRA-NCA Web site home page. Keep your membership record up-to-date so we don't lose touch!

Please join us in welcoming these new members to the HRA-NCA group:

HRA-NCA invites organizations to sponsor our newsletter - or any of the following: monthly speaker presentations, our Web site, special events, etc. Interested? Contact Tricia Riviere, HRA-NCA's PR & Sponsorship Chair, or access our information on the Web site. For this issue, sincere thanks to the following sponsor.

Connecting People with Passion to Organizations of Purpose

Are you searching for a job with a purpose?   Are you a nonprofit in need of people with passion?   Look no further than WorkforNonprofits.org! 

A comprehensive, online career management solution for nonprofit job seekers and nonprofit employers, WorkforNonprofits.org hosts hundreds of job listings and countless resumes of qualified individuals who want to make a difference.  And, WorkforNonprofits.org is more than a just job board – we connect users with additional resources for professional development as well as with others in the nonprofit world through networking and discussion boards.

Go to www.workfornonprofits.org today to begin your search for the perfect passion-filled employee or purposeful position – and more!