News

Congratulations to Kaitlyn Vortherms, Human Resources Assistant at Journey Construction, for earning her SHRM-CP! 
Kaitlyn took the USF prep class along with the SHRM learning site to prepare herself for the exam.  She found the USF class to be very helpful.  It was beneficial for her to hear how other HR professionals relate to topics and bring them into their work daily and how she can incorporate the topics into her daily work.  She enjoyed the additional HR knowledge the instructor, Trudy Billion, shared throughout the class.   
What advice does Kaitlyn have for anyone who is thinking of sitting for their SHRM-CP exam?  Do not feel like you have to have years and years of experience to sit for this test.  I went in with 2 years of HR experience and learned so much through the program.
Way to go, Kaitlyn!!

2020’s Emerging Professional winner, Maggi Graves Lundgren is continuing the celebration by earning her SHRM-CP!  Congratulations Maggi! 
The Q&A we had with Maggi picked her brain to find out more about how she did it:

Q:  What method did you use to prepare for your test?

A:  I took the class at the University of Sioux Falls which was helpful, along with reading the materials.

Q:  What advice do you have for someone thinking of sitting for the SHRM-CP exam?

A:  It is ok if you fail it the first time, there is no shame in it. Read the materials, take the practice tests and most importantly, believe in yourself that you can pass this test. Also, study in a way that makes sense to you and if you take the class, please speak up, your knowledge of the material/HR processes will help others learn. 

Q:  What did you like most about the prep class?

A:  I liked that I had other people who were in the same boat with me about taking the test. I also liked that we had a teacher who was able to help guide us through what the expectations for the test are.

HR Professionals of the Year

SESHRM recognizes local HR professionals annually who have made significant contributions to the field of Human Resource Management and represent "the best" in the Human Resources profession. They are strategic business partners, individuals, businesses or organizations who serve as role models for the profession, who are leaders rather than followers, who set standards for others and the profession, and who apply their professional expertise outside of their organizations. Congratulations to our most recent recipients below!

Distinguished HR Professional of the Year
J.R. Rowenhorst, Sammons Financial Group Companies

Emerging HR Professional of the Year
Maggi Graves Lundgren, Heritage Bank NA

Previous Distinguished Recipients:

• Dan Oakland, Alternative HRD
• Rachell Henning, Woods Fuller Shultz & Smith P.C.
• Garrett Wilson, Midcontinent
• Maggie Pearson, RMS Roller-Grinder
• Dawn Uthe, Carsforsale.com
• Julie Waage, RAS
• Carey Deaver, Minnehaha County
• Patsy Kramer, Sanford Health

Previous Emerging Recipients:

• Krysta Widman, Gage Brothers
• Jessica Bickett, Lawrence & Schiller
  
• Kelsey Hillberg, Sanford Health
• Julia Disburg, Lincoln County
• Karla Lundell, Howalt+McDowell Insurance, A Marsh & McLennan Agency
• Candis Kiihl, Dakotabilities
• Jill Glover, Avera Health
• Reid Holsen, City of Sioux Falls

Holiday Update

Thank you to everyone who stopped out with donations to Dress for Success. Kerry Bamsey delivered a car full! And congratulations to all of the basket winners below. We are so thankful and greatly appreciate all of your support through this very strange and challenging year! Happy Holidays from everyone on the SESHRM Board!

• Anna Mitchell
• Christine Hormann
• Adam Geffre
• Shawna Van Voorst
• Emily Druley
• Brittany Schmidt
• Rachel Ask
• Billi Engbrecht
• Terri Dix
• Tammy Loos
• Cassondra Breuer
• Kassie VanWyk
• Miranda Bunde
• Stephanie Ouellette
• Kayla Johnson
• Kerry Bamsey

Workplace Excellence Awards

The prestigious SESHRM Workplace Excellence Award is to acknowledge those companies that have made significant strides in employee practices to establish a highly desirable work environment and to recognize them for their leadership, culture and best practices. These companies are family-friendly with a dedicated workforce consistently portraying a strong culture of empowerment and growth. The award is presented every year at the SD Safety and Health Conference in October to selected employers displaying the following qualities:

• Friendly culture
  
• Great work/life balance
  
• Innovative communication techniques
  
• Consistently recognizes those who go “above and beyond”
  
• Empowers team members with personal and professional development skills
  

If you have any questions please contact our Awards & Recognition Director on our Board Members page. Congratulations to our most recent recipients below!

Small Company ( < 100 employees)
Expansion Capital Group

Medium Company (101-500 employees)
Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort

Large Company ( > 500 employees)
First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard

Previous Recipients (Small Company):

• RMS Roller-Grinder

• Woods, Fuller, Shultz & Smith

• Weisser Distributing
  
• RMS Roller-Grinder
  
• Howalt+McDowell Insurance, A Marsh & McLennan Agency
  
• Service First Federal Credit Union
  
• Click Rain
  
• Interstate Control Systems
  

Previous Recipients (Medium Company):

• Carsforsale.com
• Weisser Distributing
  
• Carsforsale.com
• Lloyd Companies
• Carsforsale.com
• Gage Brothers
  
• Wow! Internet, Cable, & Phone
  
• Children's Care Hospital & School

Previous Recipients (Large Company):

• Interstates
• POET
  
• First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard
• Avera McKennan
• Midcontinent Communications
  
• Capital One
  
• Sammons Financial Group

COVID-19 Information for Businesses

The Department of Health is reaching out to get information to businesses to assist with mitigation strategies to stop the spread of COVID-19. The information includes:

1. Updated guidance from CDC and OSHA about safe practices
2. Employee screening tools – if businesses have not already implemented an employee screening process, it is highly recommended they do so. Employees who fail the screening process, should be sent home and follow the steps on the document “Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 if you are sick”; and
3. General information/signage for businesses.

As always, there is a host of information available on the covid.sd.gov website as well as the CDC website, including materials in other languages. If businesses have not already done so, the DOH would also encourage them to reach out to any national associations that might have information specific to their industry.

GUIDANCES

• Interim Guidance for Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
• Prepare your Small Business and Employees for the Effects of COVID-19 / Top 10 Tips to Protect Employees’ Health
• OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

EMPLOYEE SCREENING TOOLS

• Symptom Checker
• Daily Screening Log
• Prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick (to be used if employee is sent home)

GENERAL INFORMATION/SIGNAGE

• Stop the Spread of Germs
• Symptoms of COVID-19
• Handwashing
• Stay home if you are sick
• What Should I Do? Infographic
• How to protect yourself and others

2019 SESHRM Salary Survey

If you would like to purchase a copy of our 2019 survey results please click HERE. Thank you to all of our sponsors for making this survey possible!

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Erin Walstead Receives Student Chapter SESHRM Scholarship

SESHRM Scholarship Program

In recognition of the need for skilled Human Resources professionals to support the workforce within the region of Sioux Falls, the Sioux Empire Society for Human Resource Management (SESHRM) will award one (1) $1,000 scholarship per academic year to an eligible undergraduate student recipient meeting the following eligibility requirements. Should no eligible applicants apply in a year, the award will not be given.

ELIGIBILITY

• Current SHRM national student member (which includes membership to student SESHRM #5496) or have submitted application at the time of this scholarship application with proof of membership prior to awarding of scholarship
• Enrolled in an accredited degree-seeking undergraduate program
• Degree program is HR-related (i.e., Business, Psychology, Human Resources, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Organizational Development, etc.)
• Cumulative GPA is 3.0 or above
• Applicant may only be awarded the scholarship once per lifetime

APPLICATION PROCESS

Submit a written application to the current SESHRM Student Chapter Board Liaison at siouxempireshrm@gmail.com. Application format should be a Word document or PDF. Please email application materials addressed to the Student Chapter Board Liaison, who will confirm receipt of your application.

Application should include the following:

• Your contact information (full name, address, email)
• 500-word personal essay articulating your interest in HR, financial need, and career goals
• Current Resume
• One professional letter of reference addressed to ‘SESHRM Scholarship Review Committee’ containing information about applicant’s character, ethics, values and experiences. Letter may not come from a family member of applicant and should state context of relationship to applicant (supervisor, professor, mentor, coach, etc.).
• Copy or screen shot of current academic transcript that will show applicant’s name, the name of the institution of higher learning, courses you’ve taken, and grades for each.

Submit application materials by March 1 for the following academic year, defined as August through July. Scholarship recipient will be notified of award status by May. Checks will be sent to the student’s account at their academic institution of higher learning and made payable to that institution on behalf of the student.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All application materials, including your letter(s) of recommendation and personal essay will be reviewed, to assess the following points:

• 30% Commitment to/passion for HR profession
• 25% Career goals and commitment to the state of South Dakota, including applicant’s local chapter
• 25% Academic Achievement
• 20% Financial Need