President's Message
In today’s competitive marketplace, professionals look for ways to set themselves apart and one way to accomplish this is through industry certification. HR professionals certified through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) is becoming an increasingly preferred qualification or even perquisite for employment in the HR profession. It can open doors in careers, affirm professional knowledge and competence, and help meet professional development needs.
AVHRA has long supported HRCI certification through scholarships and fall study groups led primarily by board members Annie Horey, Cashmere Valley Bank and Melissa Wear-Grimm, CrunchPak. They share their professional knowledge and personal time to prepare individuals for the certification exam with practical, hands-on expertise and experiences.
HR knowledge, professionalism, credibility and the desire to learn and stay current are just a few key traits demonstrated by HRCI-certified professionals. If you’re interested in joining the ranks of certified HR professionals for certification or recertification, contact Annie Horey for more information.
AVHRA congratulates the following fall study group members on obtaining their HRCI PHR certifications :
Ana Chavez, McDougal & Sons
Lisa Lee, Blue Star Growers
Kristen Burnham, Dr. Brunham, DDS
Maria Holman, City of Wenatchee
Julie Shipman, Link Transit
Sarah Wilkinson, Columbia Valley Health
Mike Auvil, CrunchPak
On February 9th, AVHRA Board Members met with the Central Washington University (CWU) SHRM student chapter to perform mock interviews. The students were lively and engaged and came away from the experience with new and improved skills and interview techniques. Students also reported on their adventure at the 2015 SHRM Conference in Las Vegas. Supported by AVHRA, they joined more than 15,000 participants in concurrent sessions and 110 degree heat. The theme of “Thrive” was well-suited for these young people anxious to explore the HR world. AVHRA continues to support student participation at the 2016 SHRM Conference in Washington, DC.
AVHRA recognizes and applauds students interested in pursuing graduate or undergraduate studies in human resource management. AVHRA funds a $1,000 scholarship to students seeking a degree in an HR related field or organizational development. Scholarships are Now Open – visit the Community Foundation of North Central Washington for more information. The deadline for 2016 scholarships is March 1.
SHRM reports that the final overtime rule’s release date remains uncertain. When release by the Department of Labor, the proposed rule would extend overtime protections to nearly 5 million white collar workers. See more at SHRM.
On May 3rd, senior leaders from Google, T-Mobile, General Plastics and more will headline AVHRA’s first annual Eastern Washington Strategic HR Summit, where they’ll share how their organizations are diving into the future of HR. HR leaders from across the state will gather to hear and discuss practical examples of how to apply future practices right now. Sessions will include topics on succession planning, organizational development, workforce talent pipelines, and change leadership. The summit will be held at the Wenatchee Convention Center; pricing and additional information will be available prior to March 1. Watch our website for registration information and upcoming programs on Medical Leave/Accommodations, Dispute Resolution, Active Shooter/Safety in the Workplace, and Membership Networking!
We welcome your attendance at our monthly board meetings, held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the main Chelan PUD office, 327 North Wenatchee Avenue, from 7-8 am.
