AUGUST 2006                                            Vol. 2 Issue 8 In this Issue... When the going gets tough... Participate in the survey, get the results HR certification fall study groups now forming World at Work now offering virtual certification courses Spotlight on the board - Mark Peters Important note about our online registration system Members in the news Mini Masters Certificate in HR Management THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR       Baker Donelson's Labor and Employment team of over 65 attorneys has experience with helping clients sort through the complexities of labor and employment issues. We are committed to counseling with and providing representation for our clients regarding their most valuable assets--their human resources.   For more information, contact Cynthia Cutler at 615-726-5651.     http://www.bakerdonelson.com/   When the going gets tough... Brooke Thurman, Vice Chair, Editorials   This past spring the lives of many HR professionals were changed by watching the perseverance and determination of an MT-SHRM member named Stephanie Babb.   Stephanie, along with others in her PHR study group, recently went through the grueling task of preparing for the Human Resources Certification Institute exam. While receiving this certification is a tremendous accomplishment for anyone, Stephanie Babb has a particularly special story.   In 2000, Stephanie completed her B.A. in Management and Human Relations from Trevecca Nazarene University and subsequently sat for the PHR exam.  She was somewhat suprised and extremely disappointed to find that she had failed the exam.    In 2005 when she began her Master's program in Organizational and Human Relations Management at Cumberland University, Stephanie was confronted with a life-changing event.  She was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer.    Stephanie immediately set out on a course to valiantly fight the cancer.  She changed her lifestyle and eating habits and committed herself to a healthier way of life.    However, in spite of her best efforts, Stephanie developed a persistent cough and, following a CT scan, the doctors found two spots on her lung.  The diagnosed confirmed that Stephanie had moved into stage four.  Terminal breast cancer.   Still determined to fight, Stephanie underwent chemotherapy.  Realistically, she also began making plans for what seemed would be an inevitable short-lived future.    Through this troubling time in her life, Stephanie's initial failure of the PHR exam had always been in the back of her mind and she became determined to obtain the certification now more than ever.  "Passing the exam became extremely important to me and I couldn't bear to leave it undone," she said.   Stephanie joined an MT-SHRM study group and began studying constantly. She was physically ill during many group sessions - others could recognize the pain she was going through, yet she never gave up. She studied during chemo sessions as well as during recovery from her reconstructive surgery. Finally, the day came to re-take the exam and she scheduled herself for the last testing day.   On June 30th, Stephanie sat for the PHR exam.  "When I saw the word "pass" flash across the screen, I was ecstatic! Without a word spoken," she said "everyone in the room knew I had passed!"   One of Stephanie's unfulfilled dreams was now complete, and the news got even better.  Shortly after, Stephanie's doctors announced that her cancer was in complete remission.   With the knowledge that when the going gets tough she has the ability to endure and excel, Stephanie certainly has the edge.    "As an HR professional, I feel the PHR designation is one way to demonstrate that I am able to add value to my company, my associates and my career.  And, with my cancer in remission, I now look forward to adding that value for many, many years to come."   Stephanie Babb can be reached at 615-460-6456.   Special thanks to peer group members Mary Ellen Yarbrough, Carolyn Bowlds and Aimee Hull for bringing this story to our attention.    Back to Top >>>   Participate in the survey, get the results Mike Umphres   Each year a mid-year merit budget mini-survey is conducted for the Nashville Area.  This short survey is sponsored by MT-SHRM and examines the 2006 pay increases and the proposed 2007 increases.  Its a perfect strategic tool for you to present to your management team and will help to finalize your compensation budget plans for 2007.   This survey is short, only 9 or 10 questions, and can be completed in less that 5 minutes-but you have to participate if you want to have a copy of the results.   Click here to download the survey and return the form to Mike Umphres by August 18th.  The results of this survey will be published in September and will be free to all participants.    This survey is made possible by your participation in the Nashville Area Salary Survey conducted in February of each year.  We urge you to make plans now to participate in that comprehensive survey of salary data for the Nashville Area.   We look forward to your participation.  Remember, the deadline for receiving your input is August 18th. Due to the quick turn around expected for this survey, there will not be the typical extensions made to the survey due date.   If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact any member of the Vendor Survey Team; Mike Umphres at 615-370-3280, Jerry Scobee at 615-945-5220 or Anita Shearer at 270-453-4978.   Back to Top >>>     HR certification fall study groups now forming Aimee Hull   MT-SHRM will be sponsoring study groups for HR professionals interested in sitting for the PHR, SPHR or GPHR certifications this winter.    The next testing window for the PHR/SPHR certification exam is December 1, 2006 - January 31, 2007.  To help our members prepare, the Professional Development committee is forming the Fall 2006 study groups. If you are interested in sitting for the exam, please attend the informational meeting on August 22, 2006 from 5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the offices of Miller & Martin PLLC, 150 4th Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37219, 12th Floor.     At this meeting, you will learn about eligibility requirements and the registration process for the test, experiences of past study groups (including some war stories about taking the test), study resources including other methods and classes available through MTSU, other interested members, and how to sign up for a group.   Study groups, free to MT-SHRM members, are self-facilitated by group members. Each Fall and Spring "semester," study groups are formed and members are responsible for generating their own study plan and curriculum.  Groups can range from quite formal to fairly unstructured, depending on what works for the group.   The Certification Committee helps form the groups and provide meeting locations, as well as provide guidance based on experiences with previous groups.  The MT-SHRM study groups are not "courses," such as the PHR/SPHR prep courses offered at MTSU.  Study groups are a less structured study option, best utilized as a supplement to a paid prep course or to enhance self-study.   More information will be available about the Fall 2006 test and the study groups at the meeting. For additional information, contact Kara Shea or Aimee Hull.   Back to Top >>>   World at Work now offering virtual certification courses Mike Griffin Those interested in obtaining the Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) designation have a new venue-live, interactive sessions.    The following courses will be held for two weeks on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - just two hours each day. During each day of instruction, participants will have the opportunity for Q&A.  These online courses eliminate travel and expenses, accelerate your certification track and allow you to participate right from your office.  You can even refresh your memory or review a missed session easily via auto playback.   August 1-10 T1: Total Rewards Management Introduces the total rewards model and each of its components. Emphasis is given to the five elements of total rewards: compensation, benefits, work-life, performance and recognition, and development and career opportunities. August 22-31 B1: Fundamentals of Employee Benefits Programs Provides an examination of employee benefits programs in private-sector settings. Closely attuned to today's benefits issues and challenges, this course is an excellent preparation for achievement in this field. You'll gain a solid foundation in all aspects of employee benefits, including health and welfare benefits as well as retirement benefits. You'll explore case studies designed to model real-life situations encountered by HR professionals. September 5-14 W2: The Flexible Workplace - Strategies for Your Organization Provides participants with the fundamentals of workplace flexibility and presents a process for building a flexible workplace to maximize employee and organizational effectiveness. Specific examples of practices in the Workplace Flexibility category are discussed along with how workplace flexibility solutions may be successfully implemented. September 19-28 T2: Accounting and Finance for the Human Resources Professional Offers an introduction to accounting by exploring the major groups of accounts and the financial statements that make up a company's annual report. It also provides coverage of the financial concepts that HR professionals should understand to interact effectively with the individuals in accounting and finance departments. October 3-12 T3: Quantitative Methods Focuses on general quantitative concepts, basic statistical tools, the mathematics of total compensation design and administration, mathematical modeling, and regression analysis. Participants learn to consider data from numerous sources, with an emphasis on problem solving and decision making. For more information and registration, contact World at Work at 877-951-9191.   Back to Top >>>     Spotlight on the board - Mark Peters, Esq., Legislative Chair   The Legislative Chair is responsible for keeping the membership of the Chapter informed of governmental actions which might have impact on the human resource field. He serves as the legislative liaison between the Chapter and SHRM and provides regular reports to the membership on related legislative issues.   He encourages membership participation in the passage or rejection of Congressional and State legislative action affecting the human resource field and acts as the Chapter's voice on issues that affect the HR profession. Mark also performs such other duties as assigned by the President.   Mark Peters is a partner in the Labor and Employment practice group and Chair of the Healthcare Employment Law Practice subgroup at Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis. He represents management exclusively in a variety of industries throughout the United States. "My goal is to inform and advise MT-SHRM on local, regional and national labor and employment legislative matters of significance and relevance to the membership and to serve as a resource on creative and proactive strategies for resolving disputes in the workplace," says Mark.   Mark can be reached at 615-850-8888.   Back to Top >>>     Important note about our online registration system   Remember to go all the way through to the very end of the registration process when using Cvent. Stopping before the last page, even though you receive a registration number, will not register you for the event nor charge your credit card.  Also, Cvent automatically sends you an e-mail message when the registration process has been successfully completed.   Contact Anne Powers, our chapter administrator, if you're not sure the reservation went all the way through.   Back to Top >>>     Members in the news   The following members of MT-SHRM have recently earned the prestigious PHR (Professional in Human Resources) or SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certifications: Tami Lambert (SPHR), Mary Ellen Yarbrough (SPHR), Carolyn Bowlds (PHR), April Osborne (PHR), Stephanie Babb (PHR), Colleen Kirby (PHR), and Kami Vannoy (PHR).   Bill Poff has accepted a position as Corporate Director of HR for America's Power Sports, the 2nd largest power sport dealership group in the nation.    If you know of someone we should recognize in the Connections Newsletter, please send the information to communications@mtshrm.org.   Back to Top >>>     Mini Master Certificate in HR Management Kim Powell, Associate Director   Belmont University's Center for Professional Development announces the Mini Master Certificate in HR Management, designed to support HR professionals in their efforts to increase their impact at the highest levels of the organization.    Individual modules are taught by Belmont University business faculty, well-recognized "marquee" speakers, and highly successful practitioners from the Nashville business community. Every module features theory, experiential exercises, practical application, and resources for further individual exploration after the course is complete.   This program has been approved for 36 credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).  For more information about certification or recertification, please visit HRCI.   Fall 2006 Mini Master Certificate in HR Management classes begin August 29 and run through November 14, 2006 meeting on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Jack C. Massey College of Business on the Belmont campus in Nashville.   Tuition is $2,499 for the certificate program including all materials. There is a $200 discount for MT-SHRM members, as well as scholarship dollars available.   To learn more, contact Kim Powell at 615-460-5477 or visit www.belmont.edu/cpd.

THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR Committee Links >>> Find out what's going on... Professional Development  Legislative Communications Diversity Community Involvement HR Career Tranistion Membership Finance Workforce Planning MT-SHRM South Member Relations   Quick Links >>>   About MT-SHRM General Information Board Members Career Connections About Career Connections Submit/Remove HR Jobs HR Job Listings Membership Information Join MT-SHRM Now Join National SHRM Guidelines for Membership Eligibility MT-SHRM By-laws Events Upcoming Events Calendar Events Photo Gallery  News & Resources Professional Development Advertising Opportunities Other HR Web Sites Legislative Issues Newsletter Archive   Looking for an HR Professional? Quick!  Post a job on  Career Connections and get the right person, right now!     MT-SHRM 2006-2007 Board of Directors   Kellie Conn - President   Denis Blackwelder - Past President   Tracy Anthony - Workforce Planning Chair   John Gilbert - Member Relations Chair   Lynn Hutson - Programs Chair   Danny Nelms - Membership Chair   Tish Meshew - Finance Chair   Kevie Mikus - MT-SHRM South Chair   Jimmy Patterson - Legal Advisor   Mark Peters - Legislative Chair   Art Smith - Communications Chair   MT-SHRM Communications Committee Art Smith - Communications Chair Kathy Story - Vice Chair, Newsletter Patty Bouchillon -Vice Chair, Web Site Dan Aronoff - Co-Vice Chair Marketing Gary Bynum - Co-Vice Chair Marketing Brooke Thurman - Vice Chair Editorial   Contacts   Please forward comments, suggestions and/or questions to communications@mtshrm.org   To change your subscriber information, contact Anne Powers   For Connections Newsletter sponsorship, contact Dan Aronoff      Connections Newsletter   is published monthly by Middle Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management © 2006 Past Issues