President's Blog

I am so thankful that we made it to March, and I am positive spring is coming!  Plus, I am super excited for the launch of our new Newsletter template! Thanks to all the SESHRM Board members that have worked on this!

As I write the March newsletter, I think back to what our world looked like a YEAR ago. When all this craziness started, I never thought this is where we would be today, and we have definitely had to adapt. As HR Professionals, we need to be leaders in the transformation of what our workplace will look like in the future. Our March session will be on the 5 principles that employers can use for caring for employees during COVID: Gratitude, Generosity, Patience, Communication and Restraint (or Pace). These principles can be used by HR to facilitate conversations with leaders and managers in their own organizations. Tim Heerts, EAP Clinical Specialist at Avera EAP will be presenting this informational session. Come prepared to not only gain understanding of these principles, but to also share and exchange best ideas with attendees.

And speaking of sharing best practices…. we have had a great response to our Resource Groups. If you have signed up, be watching for more information coming soon. And if you didn’t get a chance to sign up and are still interested, please reach out to Kerry Bamsey at kbamsey@thebancorp.com.

SESHRM will be hosting the State Conference in September 2021 which is a huge undertaking and planning. If you are interested in helping, please contact Jen Adix at jadix@minnehahacounty.org. 

Hope to “see” everyone during our March Meeting.

Mary Jo Vance, SHRM-SCP

Happy New Year! What a year 2020 was….both professionally and personally! I am proud of the SESHRM Board for pivoting quickly to a virtual environment to offer timely and important programs. The Board held their Annual Strategic Meeting to determine initiatives for 2021.

• Technology/Communications – This initiative will examine what can be utilized to ensure we are offering state of the art technology. In addition, there is consideration of making changes to the newsletter and different ways of keeping in touch with the members.
• Chapter Experience – We want to continue to review program offerings and also if there are different avenues that could be created such as special interest groups, book clubs and/or networking opportunities.
• Membership/Emerging HR Professionals – This initiative will be centered on recruiting and retaining SESHRM members. Also, we want to collaborate with SESHRM members who are early in their career and provide tools for them to be successful.

The Board had lots of discussion on the challenges of the year and not being able to meet in person. We MISS seeing everyone and MISS hearing from you. One of the first things I would like to do is meet with some members via zoom and facilitate focus groups. I will be randomly picking members but if you are interested in participating, please e-mail me at maryjo.vance@wellsfargo.com.

On January 19th, we will be holding our January half-day session. Brandon Schaefer will be presenting The Prioritized Leader. This seminar is designed to help leaders to identify their current priorities, obtain guidance on how to correctly order those priorities, and spread the impact of the priorities throughout their organization. Every registrant will have the opportunity complete a Prioritized Leader Assessment and receive a personalized TPL report. Watch for in your e-mails to complete!

Lastly, we would like to extend a special Thank You to our outgoing SESHRM Board Members; Tammy Loos and Karen DeLange. A warm welcome to Kayla Johnson and Krysta Widman as our newest Board Member.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as the SESHRM President!