Creating a World-Class HR Department: Focus on Industry (Nonprofits/Associations, Corporations, Government Contractors)

In a competitive market where many organizations aspire to be an 'employer of choice', how can you as an HR practitioner help to distinguish yourself as a leader among your peers? How does your organization's industry play a role in defining your position?

In this engaging half-day conference, spend some time focusing on your niche in the world! Alongside two inspiring breakfast and lunch keynote speakers, we will have 3 cutting-edge breakout sessions where you can hone your skills.

All Washington metro area employers are invited to take part in the most comprehensive and highly respected compensation and benefits surveys in the region: the 29th Annual Compensation Survey and 3nd Annual Benefits Survey. Spread the word to your network of HR contacts; the more participants, the better the survey results! Participation is FREE and qualifies you to receive up to 40% off the survey reports on top of your membership discount. Participate in both surveys to qualify for bundle price-breaks. Submit your data for both surveys by March 28th for an extra $100 off! Remember, those who participate in the Compensation Survey and purchase the results get FREE access to the Online Survey Query Tool. For more information about how to participate in the surveys, come to the 2008 Surveys Participation Seminar (rsee next article). Both surveys are being conducted on-line at http://survey.akroninc.net/hrancaportal.

If you missed the first meeting earlier this month, this is your last chance to join us for an informative seminar on how to participate in the 2008 Compensation Survey and the 2008 Benefits Survey. This event is on Wednesday, March 26th from 8am-10:30am at the Bethesda Hyatt. Breakfast will be served and registration is free. An overview of both surveys will be presented, plus a detailed presentation on job matching. Don't miss this opportunity to learn time saving tips from Survey Committee members and to find out about the latest survey improvements. There will also be a demo on how to use the on-line survey portal, designed to make participation even easier.

Thursday, May 8th 9:30-2PM

Sponsor one or more 11th or 12th grade students from Bell HS for a half-day job shadowing event.

For more information on how your organization can participate, or to volunteer to be on the coordinating committee, please call Cindy Gurne, 703-647-7452 or email cbgurne@careercentralonline.com, HRA-NCA Workforce Readiness Committee.

Dying to Serve - Managing Professional Crisis Without Losing One's Job, Health or Sanity
Thursday, March 27, 2008
6 - 8 p.m.

Speaker: Mary Santuli, National Account Manager, DBM and The International Center for Executive Options

Every day we are faced with sometimes small and sometimes horrific professional challenges. Whether the situation is truly a crisis or not depends not only upon the perceptions of others, but the way we view the situation ourselves. Discerning the truly important issue from simply an urgent one is an important professional skill. Knowing how to respond effectively is just as critical. In this session, Mary Santulli addresses these challenges and the strategies that can help to successfully manage them.

This is a free event. Dinner will be served.

Please contact Stephanie Simpson at 202- 220-0767 or via email at
ssimpson@f mi.org if you would like to attend.

The SHRM Foundation Regional Scholarship Program will award a total of $100,000 to working SHRM members this year. We would like to acknowledge the generous support of the J. J. Keller Foundation in underwriting this program for 2008.

The awards program is designed to assist HR professionals in meeting their career goals. Individuals may apply for either a $1375 education scholarship or a $750 certification scholarship. A total of 100 scholarships will be awarded.

Application Deadline: July 15, 2008

The Human Resource Leadership Awards of Greater Washington is now accepting applications for its 2008 Scholarship Program. Three $4,000 awards will be given to area students pursuing either an undergraduate or graduate degree in Human Resources Management.

Complete guidelines and eligibility requirements can be obtained online at www.hrlea dership.org. Download the application here.

The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) is seeking nominations for their 2009 Board of Directors. The HRCI board has 12 to 13 members and is comprised of practitioners, consultants and academics, and one non-HR public member. HRCI relies on volunteer leaders to help shape the future of certification and the HR profession. If you are interested, please go to the HRCI website at www.hrci.org and access your online recertification file and click on "apply to be a volunteer" under the action item list.

The SHRM Foundation book, Making Mergers Work, made headlines! Based on a joint study with Towers Perrin on the role of human resources in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the book clearly demonstrated that HR's early strategic involvement in the M&A process directly impacts its chances of success. If your organization is planning a merger, be sure to pick up your copy of Making Mergers Work, the Strategic Importance of People from the SHRMStore. The book provides detailed information on how HR can add value at every stage of the M&A process. A review in Soundview says "this book gives [HR] the tools necessary for creating careful planning and implementation, realistic expectations, and consistent, well-conceived communication with employees." Visit the SHRMStore to order your copy.

The SHRM Foundation: 40 Years of Advancing the HR Profession

The Greater Washington Board of Trade is offering members the opportunity to be the first in Nationals Park!

Five days before opening day, members are invited to celebrate the Nationals' new stadium, spring in DC and baseball in our Nation's Capital! Enjoy food, drinks and fun in the Nationals Park on March 25.

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 website home page. Keep your membership record up-to-date so we don't lose touch!

HRA-NCA Welcomes These New Members

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

What Did You Want To Be When You Grew Up?

The Dream Job Auction offers a unique opportunity for bidders to live out their childhood dreams by bidding on some of the region's most exciting, powerful, and influential jobs.

The Dream Job Auction, comprised of both live and silent auctions, hosts a wealth of bidding options, including shadowing DC Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, becoming a Kennedy Center stage star, training as a fighter pilot, managing the Washington Nationals, and many more.

All Dream Job Auction proceeds will go toward fulfilling WORC's mission - providing the chance for thousands of people in the Greater Washington region to have access to jobs, ultimately allowing them to create a better life for themselves and their families.

For more information, contact David Remick at 703-769-3712 or
remick @worconline.org.