Considering joining Twin Cities SHRM? Already a national SHRM member? Hear the authentic stories of the IMPACT of Twin Cities SHRM!

In this interactive program:

1.  Hear how Twin Cities SHRM has impacted the lives of three HR Professionals personally and professionally.  Their authentic stories will be shared.

2.  Learn about member benefits/offerings, how to join Twin Cities SHRM and how to get involved in the chapter.

3.  Learn why we recommend having dual membership with SHRM and a local chapter, how their relationship works and the differences between the two

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A few of the highlights are:

Legal Summit - coming up on February 14, 2019

In this program, TCSHRM teams up with Littler to provide you with a half day of legal updates and networking opportunities! Come join us to hear about hot topics in employment law, including: Emerging issues in pay equity, drug testing in the context of legalization of marijuana, handling accommodations related to prescription and recreational drug use during the hiring process, common pitfalls in managing contract and gig workers, and other updates on discrimination, retaliation and whistleblowing laws in Minnesota.

Details and registration here:

Complimentary access to Littler X-celerator®:

Littler will provide complimentary 1-year (1/1/2019-12/31/2019) subscriptions to Littler X-celerator® for Twin Cities SHRM members. Littler X-celerator® is a web-based service that enables our clients to quickly access Minnesota model employment documents, and guidance on how to use them, for the three distinct employment phases: hiring and onboarding; maintaining the employee relationship; and termination of employment. It also gives users access to Littler summaries and publications on federal and state employment laws. Because of the nature of the advice provided, Littler X-celerator is only available to clients of the firm. Therefore, to obtain access to an X-celerator subscription, TCSHRM members will be required to sign Littler’s standard engagement agreement, though it is not necessary that TCSHRM members purchase any legal services from the firm in order to use this subscription service. $2,500 value per subscription.

Discount to attend Littler’s 2019 Midwest Employer Conference:

Littler will provide TCSHRM members with a 50% off discounted registration to our 2019 Midwest Employer Conference in the fall of 2019 (actual date to be determined). This one-day conference will provide attendees with information on critical employment law topics and developments both at the local, state and federal level. $62.50 value per attendee.

1 hour of Free Employment Advice:

Littler will also provide TCSHRM members with one (1) hour of complimentary employment advice and counsel. Because TCSHRM members would receive legal advice through this benefit, TCSHRM members who wish to utilize this benefit will be required to sign Littler’s standard engagement agreement, though it will not be necessary that TCSHRM members purchase any additional legal services from the firm in order to utilize this benefit.

    OFFER DETAILS:

    •One (1) hour free guidance would renew each year

    •One (1) hour free guidance is allotted per member organization (not a member by member basis)

    •To be used with either an already retained attorney OR can be used with any attorney in any focus area based on the nature of the guidance being sought

    •Valued at $230-$590 per hour redeemed

Thought Leadership:

Littler attorneys regularly host CLE- and SPHR-approved webinars on a wide variety of labor and employment topics, with a national or regional focus. These webinars are complimentary for our clients and provide valuable, timely information. In addition, Littler leverages our experience across the entire spectrum of labor and employment law issues to develop thought-provoking publications designed to not only keep our clients up to date, but also help them look ahead and prepare for change. We are happy to offer TCSHRM members the option of subscribing to receive information on our webinars and publications.

    OFFER DETAILS: TCSHRM members may sign up to receive Littler publications here

    We are so excited to offer the benefits of this partnership, another way we are providing information and resources to help you, our community of HR professionals to stay engaged and current with        legal issues, regulations and compliance guidelines.

    Please direct any questions regarding this partnership to Katie Farley, Executive Director of Twin Cities SHRM.

We’re excited to announce that in the spring of 2019, the SHRM certification preparation courses will be held on the west side of the twin cities at C.H. Robinson, a global logistics company in Eden Prairie. The classes will run each week from 6pm to 9pm starting on March 7 and ending on May 9. The training space is newly renovated, easy to access, contains free parking and is located at: 14701 Charlson Road, Eden Prairie, 55347.

Are you looking to give back professionally, lead and inspire, entertain and have fun this holiday season? Then mark your calendars for Friday, November 30^th and the HR event of the year, with all proceeds going to the SHRM Foundation!

How you can get involved:

Register for the event! Show your commitment to your profession and support the future of HR.

Sponsor the event! Join our Platinum Sponsors, 3M and the University of Minnesota, Carlson School, Executive Education in making the event possible.

Donate a good or service to the silent auction! Contact Kirsten Halen (khalen46@gmail.com) to make a donation.

Attend the event! Pull out your cocktail attire and bring your team (and their guests) for a fabulous holiday season party featuring a cocktail hour, silent auction, plated dinner, keynote and dancing.

After the event! Reminisce about the fun had and stay connected with your local expanded network.

Event parking will be complimentary and there is a block of discounted rooms available for those that wish to stay at the on-site hotel, Hotel 340. The discount code for reservations is Twin Cities SHRM.

Tickets are available for $50 (individual) or $90 (pair).

What your involvement will support:

In 2019, the SHRM Foundation will award more than $500,000 in certification, academic, and professional development scholarships & grants to HR professionals & students. Visit shrmfoundation.org/scholarships to learn more.

If you have additional questions regarding The Gala, please contact Melanie Olsen (molsen3@mmm.com).

including longer paid maternal and paternal leaves

Published: August 28, 2018 in Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal

More than one in three U.S. employers offers paid maternity leave beyond the amount required by law, up from one in six earlier this decade, according to a recent study from the Society for Human Resource Management. The New York Times recently reported that all 20 of the biggest companies in the U.S. now offer paid maternity leave to at least some of their workers.

View full article

Twin Cities SHRM is pleased to announce its first annual gala with all proceeds benefiting the SHRM Foundation. We invite all Twin Cities or greater MN champions of HR to join us in supporting the advancement of our profession and future generations of HR practitioners.

What does the SHRM Foundation do?

• Funds HR research for challenging inclusion issues facing employers and employees
• Provides scholarships to educate and develop HR professionals and students to make change happen
• Gives opportunities for HR professionals to make a difference in their local communities

The Gala will feature a silent auction, cocktail hour, dinner and entertainment at the beautiful St. Paul Athletic Club in downtown St. Paul, MN on Friday, November 30th. SHRM Foundation scholarship recipient, veteran, HR professional and all-around inspiration, Cecelia Clark, will provide the keynote address.

The evening’s agenda of events:

6:00 PM Cocktail Hour & Hors d’oeuvres 

7:10 PM Presentation & Keynote

7:40 PM Dinner

8:30 PM Silent Auction Closes

8:45 PM Entertainment & Dancing

Event parking will be complimentary and there is a block of discounted rooms available for those that wish to stay at the on-site hotel, Hotel 340. The discount code for reservations is Twin Cities SHRM.

How you can support The Gala:

1. Attend! Register today to support the advancement of HR, network with local HR leaders and enjoy a night out on the town.
2. Donate a good or service to the silent auction. Contact Kirsten Halen (khalen46@gmail.com) to make a donation.
3. Sponsor the event! Activate your brand power by becoming a sponsor.

If you have additional questions regarding The Gala, please contact Melanie Olsen (molsen3@mmm.com).

Join us at the 2018 Spring Conference!

 After a prolonged Winter, Spring is FINALLY here (we hope to stay this time) and we are putting the final touches on our biggest Spring Conference to date! Join us for THRIVE on May 22nd at the Radisson Blu at Mall of America!

The 2018 conference will blend more traditional education tracks with a hands-on workshop opportunity to help you take what you’ve learned and apply it back at your organization. This key programming upgrade is a fantastic way to bring learning to life! In addition to the new workshop programs, we will offer learning sessions in four key tracks that have been updated for 2018: Career and Professional Development, Change Management, Organizational Culture, Conflict Management, and new for 2018, Legal and Compliance! These education tracks will tackle a variety of topics including building conflict competency, creating alignment during organizational change, and evaluating workplace flexibility options for your organization among others.

In addition to updated education tracks and the new workshop session, we have three keynote sessions. We are excited to feature Amy Dee, Steve Brown, and Deirdre Maloney who will share with us why Human Resources is such a critical function and we can impact our organizations in tangible ways as well as reminding us all the infinite power of choice!

To get us all up and going, we have three outstanding keynote speakers joining us, including Amy Dee, Deirdre Maloney, and Steve Browne.

Amy Dee has a unique way of connecting with her audience by finding common ground and delivering her message with comedy. Her stories are not only impactful, but memorable! Amy’s presentation is all about reminding us of the immense power each of us have – the power to choose our attitude. We’re accountable for our choices. Engagement is our responsibility, and kindness always matters! You will leave her session ready to THRIVE! 

Deirdre is a published author, national speaker, and proud president of Momentum LLC. Her number one value is authenticity, which means she gives it to you straight – with bold statements, relatable stories and an engaging style. Audience members often refer to Deirdre’s sessions as “refreshingly direct” and walk away from her presentations thinking differently about their world, what they can achieve in it and how – exactly – they can get started.

Steve Browne brings a great perspective to our conference as he is an HR Professional with 30 years of experience! In addition to his exceptional experience, he is a published author, writes a nationally recognized HR blog, Everyday People (sbrownehr. com), facilitates a monthly HR Roundtable as well as an HR internet forum called the HR Net which reaches over 9,400 people globally each week, and is a current member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Board of Directors.

In his keynote, he will share with us why HR is such a critical function in any organization and tangible ways we as HR professionals can own our role in our company, effective ways to integrate across departments, and how to build and sustain the human factor in the workplace. Steve will share with us how we can more purposeful, break out from the stigma of a support function and truly be a leadership and development arm of our organization.

As always, we have applied for HRCI and SHRM recertification credits to make our Conference a ‘win-win.’ Check out the Spring Conference website to learn more and register today!

We look forward to THRIVE-ing with you on May 22nd!

Hello TCSHRM!

Ten years ago, while a co-worker and I were talking in our office, she casually mentioned “You should join TCSHRM”. I had never even heard of TCSHRM…but I quickly viewed the website and within five minutes I had joined Twin Cities SHRM! From there, I rapidly became more and more involved in our great organization - I started volunteering on the mentoring team shortly after I joined, and within three years I was serving on the board of directors. That brief conversation with my coworker launched my trajectory towards tremendous professional growth and countless development opportunities.

The urging of my friend for me to join was life changing for me – even though I had never heard of TCSHRM, the suggestion to “check it out” was all it took to get me started.

So- my challenge to you now: What friends, co-workers or associates do you know who could benefit from membership with Twin Cities SHRM? Make the suggesting a little bit sweeter with our new membership promotion that we launched at our March Chapter Meeting: When you “Refer a Friend” to TCSHRM, they will receive $20 off of their membership, and we’ll thank you for the referral with a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

At TCSHRM, we recognize that many of you work within larger HR teams – and we appreciate the value added when the entire team can grow together. We want to facilitate this effort with our new corporate discount program: TCSHRM now offers discounted membership rates when five or more members from the same company join collectively. Now your HR department can learn, network, and take advantage of the many TCSHRM membership benefits as a team!

We want to get the word out about the many incentives to join TCSHRM! We are moving HR forward in the Twin Cities - networking opportunities are embedded within all of our events and programming, and the ability to grow and develop outside of the office is priceless.

Your call to action is to spread the word and tell your colleagues and friends about all the wonderful things TCSHRM has to offer. Sometimes a casual conversation and a click of the mouse can make all of the difference. It did for me and it can for you and your team!

We are moving HR forward - come with us!

Yours in Service,

Sue Kruse, SHRM-SCP

TCSHRM President

Kipsu - HR Spotlight 

Imagine spending a nice afternoon at the Mall of America shopping with your family. Now, imagine turning around to check on your child and they’re gone! This is every parent’s nightmare. You quickly look around and panic starts to set in. Now what? You need help and you need it fast, but you are in one of the largest malls in the world….What do you do? Luckily the MOA partners with Kipsu, a digital and text messaging platform that is changing how businesses interact with, and help their customers. The scenario I described at MOA actually happened, and Kipsu allowed this frantic parent to send a text message with details and a picture to the MOA team and the child was found shortly after. This Minnesota based startup is changing the way companies interact with their customers.

I had the privilege of sitting down with Victoria Schanen, Kipsu’s VP of Talent to learn how she is leading the culture at this fast growing tech startup. Victoria joined Kipsu in May 2017. Prior to joining Kipsu, Victoria helped repeatedly double the headcount at the early stage tech company, Leadpages, contributing mightily to the policies, processes, and culture along the way. Outside of Kipsu, she sits on a small foundation board that helps develop social justice leaders. She has been in the HR Profession for over 12 years, spending about half of that as an Agency Recruiter. 

Q: Why did you join Kipsu?

Victoria: I actually had no plans of leaving my current role. Having a recruiting background, I naturally offer help whenever I can. When I heard Kipsu was looking for someone to lead HR, I reached out to offer my support. After learning more about the company and the role I became very interested and ultimately took the position myself.

Q: How has the workforce changed since you joined?

Victoria: Over the last 18 months, our workforce has doubled in size from 25 to 50 employees. Turnover has been extremely low (Only about 5 people have left since the company started), so all of my hiring has been for new positions. 

Q: Being a startup, it’s often hard to be competitive with compensation. How are you finding talented individuals to join the team?

Victoria: The people that join Kipsu are interested in the startup culture and experience. We like to hire right out of college and empower them through responsibility and give them an opportunity to truly impact the business. We have an Anti-Silicon valley ethos and try to stay out of the “Benefits Arms Race”. We truly are about the long term gain, not short term. As far as specific sources, we work through college Job Fairs and Coding BootCamps.

Q: As the company grows, how do you continue to improve culture?

Victoria: That is definitely a question that “Keeps me up at night”. Transparency is super important to us, every week we have a companywide meeting to walk through financials. Every employee knows how we are doing and understands the impact they are making. Traditions like this are one way to keep the culture consistent and engaged. Accessibility to our Executive Team is also extremely important. Every new hire has lunch with the CEO, and the entire leadership team is extremely approachable. I think the most important thing with culture is that it is organic, not forced. We use Slack internally as our social platform and we have an open DJ policy. Anybody can Bluetooth to our stereo system and play whatever they want. It’s fun to see the employees commenting on music selection and gives the culture a more diverse feel. Culture is something that we have to be proactive with. A big focus of mine is on organizational development and preparing employees to step into bigger roles as we grow.

Q: What technology do you have in place to help manage your HR tasks and responsibilities?

Victoria: Being a startup and operating on a tight budget, I manage OK with spreadsheets. I did recently implement an Applicant Tracking System which has helped. It has helped me stay organized, but more importantly it has streamlined our hiring process. Being able to interact with candidates quickly is so important in today’s labor market. As growth creates additional pain points, we will look to add other systems, but thankfully because of our low turnover, administration is not a huge burden. 

Q: What do you like/dislike about being an HR of One?

Victoria: I like being in control. The pressure of knowing success or failure falls solely on me is exciting! It would be nice to have a colleague to bounce ideas off of so that would be one downfall, but I lean on my network for that. Payroll would be one dislike, but at a startup we all need to take on some things we don’t feel comfortable with, so I am happy to help with it.

Q: What’s next for Kipsu?

Victoria: For starters, we just moved into a new office in the North Loop to accommodate our growth. We'll be settling in and getting to know the neighborhood in the coming weeks. Looking ahead, we are both deepening our reach in the markets where we're excelling - hospitality, retail, and airports - while also investing in R&D with newer markets for us like transit and facilities management. When it comes to businesses using text to connect with and provide real-time customer service, the potential is vast. We're excited for another busy year of growth!

Fun Facts about Victoria

• Favorite Movie: Napoleon Dynamite

• Favorite Food: “I’ve never met an olive I didn't like”

• Favorite Book: The Beautiful and the Damned

• Current Book: Get Better by Todd Davis - CHRO of Franklin Covey

• Blogs: First Round: LinkedIn talent: Evil HR Lady

• Podcasts: Hiring on all cylinders, Freakonomics, Mortified, The Moth

• Favorite Celebrity: Prince

• Most impactful person in her life: Mom

About Kipsu:

Year Founded: 2010

CEO: Chris Smith

Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN

Employees: 50

Currently serving clients in all 50 states and 30 countries around the world.

March Chapter Meeting Highlights

On Thursday, March 8, over 85 new and current members attended the TCSHRM Spring Chapter Meeting at the Golden Valley Country Club.  If you weren’t able to attend, here’s what you missed:  

Becky Hass, V.P. of Membership, kicked off the Chapter Meeting with warm welcomes and a brief New Member Orientation.  Becky reminded us that TCSHRM is entirely made up of volunteers (the sole exception is Becca Rogers, TCSHRM’s Executive Director) – so the more you put into your membership, the more you will get out of it!  TCSHRM offers multiple ways for its members to engage and connect with other members and further develop as HR professionals:

• All programming within TCSHRM is created with three components: professional development, communication exchange, and networking. 
• TCSHRM’s website is loaded with member resources, program information, recertification credits, and more!  Be sure to spend some time on the website to familiarize yourself with this valuable resource.
• It’s important for all TCSHRM members to keep their profiles on the website up-to date.  Your contact information within your profile is how TCSHRM communicates with you – keep this information current so you don’t miss out on what TCSHRM has to offer!

Next, Sue Kruse, the President of TCSHRM, shared her TCSHRM engagement “story”:  Sue became a member of TCSHRM after a coworker recommended that she join.  Likewise, as members we can directly support the growth and development of our organization by simply asking our friends and colleagues to join TCSHRM.  To help us do just that, TCSHRM recently launched our new “Refer a Friend” promotion:  When you refer someone to become a member of TCSHRM, your friend will receive $20 off their membership, and you earn a $20 Amazon gift card.   

Sue reminded us that when our members bring their time, treasures, and talents, we will all benefit as our great organization continues to grow.  And you can continue your professional development at the upcoming TCSHRM Spring Conference on May 22, 2018 at the Radisson Blu Mall of America.  Registration for this exciting conference is still open at www.tcshrm.org – and if you renew your membership when you register, TCSHRM is offering a “bundle discount” - be sure to take advantage of this deal! 

After a lunch break that included socializing, networking, and great food, we heard from guest speaker Nancy Fisher, owner of The Good Life Revolution.  Nancy, a coach and development professional, spoke on “Exploring Our Strengths”.  Nancy introduced the StrengthsFinder tool, sharing valuable information on strengths and their respective leadership categories.  She then  lead us through several StrengthsFinder exercises and explained in detail how we can utilize our strengths to become better leaders and/or individual contributors within our individual organizations.  Nancy’s energy and real-life, relatable examples kept the audience engaged and full of laughter!  Learn more about Nancy Fisher via her website: www.glrcoaching.com.

As you can see, it was a fabulous meeting – you won’t want to miss another!  On behalf of all of the attendees, we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to ADP, MRA, North Memorial Health, Structural and  for sponsoring and supporting the TCSHRM March Chapter Meeting.  

Gregory De Keuster 

President NPF Benefits 

TCSHRM Member Since 2016

Contact: Greg@NPFBenefits.com 

Spring is such an exciting time of the year. Just as professional baseball teams prepare for their upcoming season by focusing on Spring Training, we as Human Resource professionals need to prepare our organizations, our teams, and ourselves for the season ahead. Your TCSHRM has been hard at work designing programming, socials, chapter meetings, and events to help you do just that!    

We invite you to capitalize on the true value of your TCSHRM membership by making us part of your personal “Spring Training” development plan. Your TCSHRM membership offers ways for you to improve your effectiveness as a HR professional (and increase your value to your organization!) by keeping you informed about HR “Hot Topics” and by providing networking opportunities.  

Kick off your Spring Training with us in April by joining us at 3M’s Innovation Center for our program on HR Analytics and Reporting. We’ll review the systems, processes, and team structure necessary to help you extend HR analytics beyond headcount and turnover to support and build your organization’s business objectives.  

Next, use your “member only” access to attend one of TCSHRM’s archived webinars – or attend one LIVE! The focus of April’s live webinar will be SHRM’s Body of Competency and Knowledge (BoCK) skill of Consulting. During this session, we’ll discuss how we can improve our ability to make effective business-aligned decisions, comprehensively evaluate business challenges, and proactively collaborate with other company leaders to positively impact change.  

Third, add a key component to your personal “Spring Training” development plan by getting involved in our TCSHRM Mentoring program. Never been a mentor before? Don’t worry - training will be provided. We’ll kick off the program with a networking event where mentors and mentees will be matched and assigned. There are countless TCSHRM member mentoring success stories already – share your experience and expertise through our TCSHRM mentoring program and be part of the ongoing success!  

Finally, be sure to make our annual TCSHRM Spring Conference the cornerstone of your “Spring Training” development plan. Attending our TCSHRM conferences exposes you to educational opportunities that help you manage your career and personal growth – you’ll discover new ways to be even more effective in your current role while developing a more robust professional network. As HR professionals, it is time for us not to just survive - we need to THRIVE! And THRIVE! is the theme of this year’s conference, which features 3 amazing key note speakers and 15 breakout sessions, many led by business leaders from our local community. Plus, there will be ample opportunity to network with your peers. We’ve applied for 6.5 SHRM and 6.5 HRCI continuing education credits for this conference, as well, so round out your “Spring Training” by joining us at the Radisson Blu at the Mall of America on May 22nd for a day of learning and fun to renew your excitement for the work we all do in HR!  

We are moving HR forward - come with us!

Yours in Service,

Sue Kruse,SHRM-SCP

TCSHRM President

Spring is a wonderful time of year; it’s when the quietness of the winter is interrupted by the welcome chirps of birds and tulips popping through the earth. It’s when Mother Nature starts to come alive! This year, Spring isn’t just Mother Nature’s time to thrive, it’s yours! THRIVE, the 2018 Spring Conference, is on Tuesday, May 22nd at the Radisson Blu in Bloomington!

The Spring 2018 Conference is quickly becoming a premier networking and professional development opportunity for Twin Cities Human Resources professionals. The full day program features a hands-on workshop that provides attendees with tools and ideas on how to apply their new-found knowledge back at their organizations. Additionally, we will have five learning sessions to choose from. This year’s learning session tracks include Career and Professional Development, Change Management, Organizational Culture, Conflict Management, and new for 2018, Legal and Compliance! As always, TCSHRM has applied for recertification credits through SHRM and HRCI!

To put the exclamation point on our day, we are thrilled to feature three keynote speakers, including Steve Browne. Steve brings a great perspective to our conference as he is an HR Professional with 30 years of experience! In addition to his exceptional experience, he is a published author, writes a nationally recognized HR blog, Everyday People (sbrownehr.com), facilitates a monthly HR Roundtable as well as an HR internet forum called the HR Net which reaches over 9,400 people globally each week, and is a current member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Board of Directors.

In his keynote, Steve will remind us why HR is such a critical function in any organization. He will teach us tangible ways we as HR professionals can own our role in our company by sharing effective ways to integrate across departments and teaching us how to build and sustain the human factor in the workplace. Steve will share with us how we can more purposefully break out from the stigma of a support function and truly be a leadership and development arm of our organization.

Get ready to THRIVE! and save money by taking advantage of the early bird discount when you register by March 15th! We look forward to seeing you at the Radisson Blu – Bloomington on May 22nd! 

Happy New Year!

We’ve all heard the saying “New Year, New You,” but this year, it’s all about THRIVING!

Mark your calendars today for the 2018 Spring Conference, THRIVE, on Tuesday, May 22nd at the Radisson Blu in Bloomington!

Your 2018 Spring Conference Team has been hard at work to ensure each Conference experience is better than the last. One of our biggest additions to the conference last year was a hands-on workshop in which our attendees not only got to learn but had the opportunity to experience how to apply their new-found knowledge back at their organizations. We are excited to provide this feature again in 2018 along with altering our keynote offerings and expanding the learning session educational tracks.

With the change in our keynote presentations, we are able to bring Amy Dee to TCSHRM’s Spring Conference! Amy Dee has a unique way of connecting with her audience by finding common ground and delivering her message with comedy. Her stories are not only impactful, but memorable! Amy’s presentation is all about reminding us of the immense power each of us have – the power to choose our attitude. We’re accountable for our choices.Engagement is our responsibility, and kindness always matters! You will leave her session ready to thrive!
In addition to our top-notch keynotes and extended workshop series, we will have five learning sessions to choose from. This year’s learning session tracks include Career and Professional Development, Change Management, Organizational Culture, Conflict Management, and new for 2018, Legal and Compliance! As always, TCSHRM has applied for recertification credits through SHRM and HRCI!

Get ready to Thrive and save money by taking advantage of the early bird discount when you register by March 15th! We look forward to seeing you at the Radisson Blu – Bloomington!

THANK YOU COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY RELATIONS TEAM!

TCSHRM is pleased to recognize our College and University Relations team as our Volunteer Stars! Krysta Kaner, Meghan MacKenzie, Burgandy Mallinger, and Angela Palma planned and organized the annual TCSHRM student conference in November. Their hard work, dedication, outreach, and engagement of student members made this a well-attended and successful event.

The theme of this year’s student conference was, “Connecting at All Levels” and included an engaging keynote speaker, interactive session, panel, and networking session. Additionally, each student had the opportunity to have a complimentary professional headshot taken. One lucky student even won an Apple Watch as part of our prize drawing!

Emily Savaria, TCSHRM’s VP of College and University Relations noted, “I am so impressed by our high-performing team. Thank you for all of your hard work to provide a valuable conference to our student members. I’m especially proud of the extensive student and professor outreach and engagement – connecting with students all over the state and region (Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota) and on multiple social media networks. As a result of their hard work, we had a record number of students in attendance at this year’s conference!”

Thank you, again, to the College and University Relations team for their excellent work in leading this year’s student conference. As an entirely volunteer-run organization, it is individual volunteers, and teams such as this one, that allow us to provide quality programming, networking, and information exchange opportunities for the HR community. In addition to their TCSHRM volunteer roles, the College and University Relations team work full-time at the following organizations:

• Krysta Kaner, Talent Management Analyst, Orbital ATK

• Meghan MacKenzie, Recruiter, Park Nicollet Health Services

• Burgandy Mallinger, Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Polaris

• Angela Palma, Human Resources Associate, Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance

Seven years ago, as a new member of TCSHRM, I was energized with the drive to give back to our profession while networking with other Human Resources professionals in the Twin Cities. I challenged myself to raise my hand to volunteer and get more involved in TCSHRM. When I read a TCSHRM e-blast seeking volunteers for the Mentoring Team, I realized I had found my opportunity. I did just that, and changed my life - and so can you!

Being an active member at TCSHRM has developed me into a stronger Human Resources and business professional. I’ve built a strong network and created new relationships that have proven to be invaluable to me both personally and professionally. As your TCSHRM president, I will be committed to your growth and development by offering high-quality conferences, programs, and events
as well as creating continual opportunities for you to network and exchange information with other professionals in the Twin Cities.

As we all step into 2018 together as an organization, YOUR TCSHRM is committed to moving Human Resources forward. We challenge you to get more involved and move

with us! Whether you are a new or returning member, an active or inactive member, or a current or potential future volunteer, there are many ways to become more active in Twin Cities SHRM and your professional development. Not sure where to start? My Top Ten List on how is outlined below:

 
Sue’s Top 10 List of ways to get involved in TCSHRM in 2018
We’re moving HR Forward – Come with Us!

1. Plan your HR calendar: Post the 2018 TCSHRM programs and events magnet that you received in December. Plan out which programs and events you would like to attend in the year ahead - and don’t forget to invite a friend
2. Plan to attend our Spring Conference at the Radison Blu on May 22, 2018. (Registration will be opening soon – stay tuned for further details!)
3. Volunteer on one of our TCSHRM Volunteer Leader Teams. Commitments range from big to small, from in-person to virtual, and from short to longer-term assignments. There are so many ways to be involved, and no commitment is too small. Just raise your hand - we will take it from there!
4. Attend one of our Chapter Meetings. You’ll network with other HR professionals and stay current with what is happening with Human Resources, both locally at TCSHRM and SHRM national.
5. Assist our TCSHRM Young Professionals initiative. Become a mentor - or a mentee!
6. Prepare for SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP Certification: attend our SHRM Certification Prep Course to help you prepare for your SHRM certification exam.
7. Earn some continuing education credits. Members can view archived TCSHRM webinars through the Members-Only section of TCSHRM’s website. Log on and get learning!
8. Follow us on our TCSHRM social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn) to stay up-to-date with what is happening at TCSHRM.
9. Take control of your career! Visit the Career Center to see new Human Resources positions open in the Twin Cities, and upload your resume there for hiring managers to view.
10. Attend a member social event to meet other members while finding out more about TCSHRM.

With great pride and preparation, I have raised my hand to hold the torch in leading our organization in the years ahead. Thank you to those of your who helped me kick off the year at our January Member's Social at Psycho Suzi's. Please help me continue our 2018 efforts by joining us at our March Chapter Meeting. We are moving HR forward in 2018 at TCSHRM - come with us!

Yours in Service,

Sue Kruse, SHRM-SCP
TCSHRM President

Twin Cities Human Resources Association Announces Rebranding –

 Becomes Twin Cities Society for Human Resource Management

Minneapolis, Minn. (June 14, 2017) – Twin Cities Human Resources Association, one of the nation’s leading non-profit organizations supporting Human Resources professionals, announced today a new name and new look.  The association’s new brand – Twin Cities Society for Human Resource Management (TCSHRM) – enhances its commitment to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest HR professional society. 

“As one of the largest chapters of SHRM, we’ve always maintained an incredibly positive and collaborative relationship with the national SHRM organization,” says Carrie Patton, President of TCSHRM. “We’re thrilled for our new brand, our new look and renewed commitment to our members and the industry about which we’re so passionate.”

Established in 1951, TCSHRM serves more than 900 HR professionals in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan area.  The organization champions the HR field on a local and national level, servicing members in dozens of fields throughout the area, as well as representing the industry’s interests and educating legislators and government officials. 

“Refreshing the TCSHRM name and logo sends a very clear message to our current and future members that our benefits, industry expertise and resources are unparalleled,” explains Patton.  “We share SHRM’s vision and values, and are excited and optimistic for what the future holds for our over 900 members.”

About TCSHRM

Twin Cities Society for Human Resource Management (TCSHRM), is one of the largest Human Resources-focused non-profits in the United States, servicing over 900 professionals in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan area.  The organization is committed to promoting the highest standards within the field, continued personal and professional development among its members and educating all stakeholders, including students, the public and legislators on human resources issues.  Visit http://www.TCSHRM.org to learn more.

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Contact: Amanda Shaker

Shaker Recruitment Marketing

(708) 358-0342  

Amanda.Shaker@Shaker.com

It is hard to believe that summer is half over which also means that 2016 is half over.  I would like to start these next few sentences by telling TCSHRM members how this time each year I take a step back and assess where I am toward the progress of my annual goals.  Sadly, that is so very far from the truth.  It is this time of year that I am figuring out how many weekends are left of the summer and how much fun can I have.  How many more Twins games can I get in?  How many more summer BBQ’s?  Can we sneak in another weekend away somewhere before the kids go back to school?  Are you with me?!  
In all seriousness, as we enter the second half of the year, it’s time to do a mid-year review and check in.   Many of us don’t do this because it feels daunting and formal and I am all about simplicity and informality.  Let’s commit to do this together and take a few minutes to write down a few notes.  I propose three questions:  1) What has gone well this year?  2) What could have gone better?   Once you answer those two questions than the big question starts….3) what am I going to do about it? The answer is simple, know your resources and tap into them.  Are you with me now?! 

Maximize that membership and let TCSHRM be your go-to resource for your professional development.  Check out www.tcshrm.org for upcoming programs including our not to miss July 19 Chapter Meeting and the August 15 Member Networking Event.  TCSHRM is also hosting two incredible webinars this summer on Leadership and Negotiation Tips for the Workplace and Mastering the 20-Minute Networking Meeting.  Registration is now open for our Fall Cornerstone Event:  Finance for the Non-Finance HR Professional.  

TCSHRM puts the “resources” in human resources and we couldn’t do it without our valuable members and our volunteers.  For that, I am truly grateful.

Yours in Service, 
Carrie Patton, SHRM-SCP
TCSHRM President

 To read the rest of the July/August Issue of the TCSHRM News & Views Newsletter, members can sign in and click here. Not a member? Join us!

You win some, you lose some. In this case I lost.

Every year hundreds of volunteer leaders from SHRM chapters across the country travel to Washington DC the week before Thanksgiving to connect with the SHRM national/global organization, share notes from the previous year’s successes as well as attend development sessions. This was my second year attending on behalf of the TCSHRM (your Twin Cities’ SHRM chapter) as well as my second year running into the Milwaukee chapter’s president, Andy Gallion. Both last year and this year the much anticipated Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers game lay just ahead on the horizon. Last year we talked about a bet and this was the year we finalized that bet and officially shook on it.

The bet was if the Vikes beat the Packers, the Milwaukee chapter would put a congratulations banner on their website and if the Packers beat the Vikes we would in turn congratulate them. As I shook his hand I thought we had this one “in-the-bag”, but alas, the Vikings were not able to beat the Packers and here I sit publically congratulating them on our TCSHRM website.

So, join me in congratulating not just the Packers, but our chapter neighbors to the east.

There’s always next time.

Yours in Service,

Melanie Olsen
TCSHRM President

The morning started out with keynote speaker, Sarah Blomquist, who delivered a witty presentation filled with sound advice. Sarah’s messages of “Fit in, be yourself” and “Apologize more, say sorry less” struck a chord with many students on Twitter.

Following the keynote presentation, Sara Doerfler and Nancy Evans provided students with an opportunity to learn about coactive coaching and powerful questions in the skills development session. Students used these powerful questions to reflect on their values and build their professional brand.

The next session, TCHRA Talks (our version of TED Talks) was particularly popular with participants. These ten minute presentations were short, impactful and very quotable. Twitter was buzzing with quotes from each presenter. Josh Ligon stressed that “success is defined by you.” Rick Rittmaster talked about the struggles that he went through early on in his career, and reminded students to “be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”. Mark Sauerbrey shared insight into his own personal journey into HR. Eric Zakovich provided some assuring words to students, telling them to “surround yourself with people who would die to teach you, support you and motivate you.” Following these talks, students were provided with the opportunity to ask questions of this panel of speakers.

The conference concluded with our most popular session of the afternoon: networking. Over 30 HR professionals came out to network with students and answer questions. Students and professionals both enjoyed the opportunity to grow their networks and build relationships within the HR field.

On behalf of the TCSHRM College & University Relations Committee, I would like to thank all of the speakers, volunteers and networkers who made this event possible. Below you’ll find a few photos from the event.

Autumn Mayer
TCSHRM Board of Directors
VP, College & University Relations

I recently took a flight to/from Michigan on a smaller carrier of Delta. While departing the plane, I got permission to take this pilot cabin photo. Just look at all the knobs, pulleys, buttons, lights, instruments and complexity! Do the pilots really know what each is for and when to use them?

Back in the mid 1990’s I had the opportunity to interview junior-level commercial pilot candidates for the upstart “Compass Airlines” ( a division of NWA). As a panelist along with retired and active pilots, we did face to face interviews, reviewed flight log books and asked “what if” scenarios to get a grasp on their technical knowledge and flight experience. Back then, for commercial consideration, pilots needed to have logged a certain number of flight hours to be considered as a co-pilots and significantly more flight hours as minimum for the Captain’s chair. They also tested in a 747 flight simulator. I also got three attempts to simulate landing a 747 plane… needless-to-say, today, I am not a pilot, (so stop calling me “Shirley”…the Airplane movie reference).

Flight simulation hours and games have replaced or at least supplemented actual flight hours. The demand for pilots has, by necessity, lowered experience requirements. Supply and demand is pushing younger pilots with fewer logged air hours into full time duty. As a result, take-offs and landings are less manual and more software-driven or “auto-pilot”. This is certainly true for flight operations above 10,000 feet.

So what does flying and “auto-piloting” have to do with HR? Technology and self-serve software increasingly replaces the need for many manual, traditional HR practices (paper-based benefits enrollment, record updates on HRIS, performance review management tracking, etc.). Perhaps automation and improvements in self--service functions can relieve HR from the mundane and compliance activities of the past to create time for more relevant issues like employee engagement, involvement and skill development.

As in the air traffic business, HR must be willing to ask, “When is it ok to let go and leave the flying to technology?”

As a SHRM Foundation Champion, we are proud to have received the official 2014 Champion logo.

We will be adding this logo to our website soon! In addition, the TCSHRM will be named in the SHRM Foundation’s annual Impact Report. If you have any questions about what it means to be a Foundation Champion, please contact TCSHRM’s Chapter Management Professional, Becca Rogers, at beccar@ewald.com.

 TCSHRM Receives Prestigious SHRM Award

Twin Cities, Minnesota, April 3, 2015 — The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recently awarded the Twin Cities Society for Human Resource Management (TCSHRM) its prestigious EXCEL Silver Award for the TCSHRM’s accomplishments in 2014.

The award is part of the SHRM Affiliate Program for Excellence, which aligns individual chapters and councils with SHRM’s goals. The award recognizes accomplishments and strategic activities and initiatives that enhance the human resources profession.

“At SHRM, advancing the human resources profession is our mission. The work of our chapters and councils are central to accomplishing that,” said Henry G. (Hank) Jackson, president and CEO of SHRM. “Receiving this award is testament to the TCSHRM’s commitment to advancing the HR profession through local networking and professional development activities.”

The EXCEL award can be earned at four levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum, and each level has a prescribed set of requirements and accomplishments that have to be met. TCSHRM will receive recognition in SHRM publications and conferences, a certificate of recognition, and special signage to display at its meetings and events.

The TCSHRM dedicates itself to not just better the HR profession, but also the Twin Cities community. This was accomplished in 2014 through partnerships with local organizations dedicated to workforce readiness, empowering and supporting students through scholarships and a student conference, and providing excellent professional development and networking opportunities for all its 1,000 strong members. The TCSHRM also revised its bylaws in 2014 to better align with SHRM and the calendar year.

For more information on the award visit www.shrm.org/communities/volunteerresources/resourcesforchapters/pages/award_info.aspx.

Media: For more information, contact Becca Rogers, Chapter Management Professional of TCSHRM at 651.290.7461 and info@tcshrm.org.

About the Society for Human Resource Management
Founded in 1948, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest HR membership organization devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 275,000 members in over 160 countries, the Society is the leading provider of resources to serve the needs of HR professionals and advance the professional practice of human resource management. SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and United Arab Emirates. Visit us at shrm.org and follow us on Twitter @SHRMPress.

Melanie Olsen
TCSHRM President

There are so many opportunities for you to learn, network and experience new adventures with the TCSHRM in 2015. I’m so proud of what we have already planned for our calendar and I am also prepared to give you a sneak peek for the items not yet advertised. My top 5 ways you should use your TCSHRM membership are below in no particular order….

#1 The SHRM Certification course starts March 28th! It’s new for you and new for us, but our instructors are seasoned certification instructors now trained and ready to get you prepped for the SHRM Certification exam.

If you currently have PHR or SPHR certification you can now go through the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP tutorial to obtain one of the new additional SHRM certifications. This is a FREE opportunity only available through December 31, 2015. You do not need to be a SHRM member to take advantage of this limited time offer to add this certification to your credentials.

To access the tutorial, review the SHRM competency model (SHRM BoCK) and see sample questions for the exam use this link: https://portal.shrmcertification.org

#2 The TCSHRM Spring Conference “HR Game Changers” is May 14th! Not only do we have an outstanding speaker line-up starring Ross Bernstein and Joe Schmit, we’ll be premiering a general session called “TCHRA talks” starring 5 power hitting executives from local large companies sharing what they believe their companies are doing best when it comes to HR. These short, 12 minute TEDtalk style presentations will be a unique learning and benchmarking experience different from any conference you’ve been to in the past.

#3 Our fall and winter cornerstone events! In the fall we’re partnering with the Lynx and Timberwolves to host a great event at the Target Center on September 9th starring Lynx coach Cheryl Reeves on the topic of “Building Winning Teams: The right people in the right places...getting the right results.”

Follow that up with our winter cornerstone where we have an amazing diversity and inclusion speaker, Laraine Kaminsky (http://globallk.com/), coming to educate, inform and entertain on December 11th. This will also feature a great panel with local leaders talking about the local market and how we can work together to support a more diverse and inclusive metro area and state. Mark your calendar – both events should post to the website soon!

#4 Member Orientation on March 24th at Innovative Office Solutions in Burnsville! Believe me, it’s not just for new members. Never been to an orientation? Please join us to network and learn about all the benefits that your membership includes. Not only will we have great appetizers and beverages, there will be a formal presentation as well as FUN, NEW, TCSHRM SWAG GIFTS for all attendees. Added bonus: it’s FREE!

#5 Monthly programming in March, April, June, July and August! Between the cornerstones and webinars (don’t miss the FREE March webinar hosted by our partner philanthropic organization STEP-UP! an organization that prepares diverse, motivated Minneapolis youth and places them with paid professional internships at over 150 local companies and organizations), member orientations, certifications and more, we still have our amazing monthly regularly scheduled programming. March and April events are already available on the website, but June, July and August are coming soon.

Check back regularly on our website, www.TCSHRM.org or read our weekly email to stay informed, register and be part of the largest and best HR network in the Twin Cities.

I look forward to seeing you at a future event! Want to see a specific speaker or topic covered? Please let us know by emailing us at info@tcshrm.org.

Yours in Service,

Melanie Olsen
TCSHRM President

10 ways you will benefit from attending our March 12^th program: the “Happy Hour Effect”

1. Improve communication with co-workers and clients.
2. Reduce sick days & healthcare costs.
3. Boost productivity & engagement.
4. Enhance leadership & career potential.
5. Feel happier & less stressed.
6. Think of more creative & innovative ideas.
7. Reach personal & professional goals faster.
8. Embrace change & accountability.
9. Perform with initiative & energy.
10. LOVE COMING TO WORK EVERY DAY!!

Kristen will help your audience embrace the Happy Hour Effect culture at work with low-stress, high-success ideas for professional & personal GROWTH that will directly impact the bottom line by boosting productivity, happiness, creativity and profits!

Here are a just a few of Kristen’s great tips:

5 Happy Moments for a Stressful Day

6 Lessons to Maximize Your Time

3 Ways to get Unstuck Fast

This is always one of my favorite times of year both professionally and personally. With a new year comes a clean slate, goals, fresh objectives and priorities. That being said, the board at the TCSHRM is dedicated to help you reach your HR development goals, expand your network and set yourself up for success in 2015.

Looking back at 2014 we have much to be grateful for. In addition to being grateful for our members (YOU!), we delivered some pretty amazing programming under the leadership of Sue Kruse, VP of Programming. Sue and her team work tirelessly to secure venues, speakers, webinars and certification credits 12 months a year. On top of our monthly programming, our Professional Development team successfully led our 2014 spring conference in May with 400+ registrants and our 2015 spring conference is already off and running (hope you plan on attending!!). On top of that, Katie Farley and team delivered quarterly member orientations that were well attended and set new members off on the right foot. This is just a sample of the great work and member benefits you have as a TCSHRM member.

The thing I feel most fortunate for are the countless volunteers that make everything the TCSHRM does possible. From the events to the social media activity to the editing of the weekly email and bi-monthly newsletter, it is the volunteers that make everything possible. They are the foundation to this successful organization you can proudly say you are part of! It always amazes me to talk to local HR professionals that have not just been members, but have also volunteered with us for one, two, sometime five, seven plus years.

For our February cornerstone we will be hosting a member-only, volunteer-only event to recognize these important people. I look forward to celebrating them, the time they give as well as their professional status in our small Twin Cities HR community. Please join me in thanking them the next time you attend an event and see a nametag that identifies a TCSHRM volunteer. If you, yourself, are interested in volunteering, please complete the Volunteer Intake Form available on TCSHRM.org.

Happiest of new years to you and yours.
Yours in Service,

Melanie Olsen
TCSHRM President