JUNE 2006                                                 Vol. 2 Issue 6 In this Issue... 2006 HR Excellence Award winners announced MT-SHRM members lead chamber panel discussion LDP class of '06 celebrates graduation, thanks leaders Regional SHRM scholarships now available Planning to take the PHR/SPHR exam? Summer fiesta at The Factory Committees welcome new members Strategic Business Network to hold event Spotlight on the Board - Kevie Mikus THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR           Duthie Associates, Inc. (DAI) creates custom, interactive elearning solutions that reduce delivery costs and increase retention. Training courses are self-paced or leader-led and are delivered on the Internet and/or CD-ROM. Since 1989, the Nashville based company has completed over 500 projects for corporations and government.   3310 West End Avenue • Suite 575 • Nashville, TN 37203 • 615.386.3061 2006 HR Excellence Award Winners Announced Sarae Janes, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce    Three Nashville-area companies have been selected as the best of the best in the field of human resources by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Middle Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management (MT-SHRM).   Genesco Inc. has been named the overall 2006 HR Excellence Award winner and two other Nashville organizations, Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Inc. and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, have been selected to receive the Facet Award of Excellence for their exceptional performance in specific HR categories.   Established to recognize and foster human resource excellence among Middle Tennessee companies, the HR Excellence Award program is based on the scrupulous HR principles of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Program.  Businesses are invited to self-nominate for the honor each year and are evaluated on proficiency in five areas: strategy; management practices; employee education, training and development; performance measurement; and employee well-being and engagement.   The fifth annual presentation of the HR Excellence Award and luncheon will be held Tuesday, June 13 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Nashville Downtown Hilton.  National Society for Human Resource Management conference speaker Dave Quint will give the keynote address.  Members of the Nashville Area Chamber or MT-SHRM can attend for $40. The cost is $120 for non-members.   Sponsors of the HR Excellence Award program are Lee Hecht Harrison, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart and The City Paper. Further information, including registration, is available at http://www.nashvillechamber.com/ through the event calendar.   Back to Top >>>   MT-SHRM members lead Chamber panel discussion Lora Plauché, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce   The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Council presented a business forum: How to Attract, Hire, Motivate and Retain Top Talent, on Thursday, May 18 at the Nashville Public Library.    Nearly 100 Nashville business leaders came together to learn and share HR related experiences and receive ideas and advice from a panel of distinguished HR professionals.   The business forum, moderated by Marc Fortune, included MT-SHRM panel members Kellie Conn, Kevie Mikus and Kim Troup.   The panel answered questions about best practices in human resources that help employers learn how to fill their positions with top talent, and how to retain a high-caliber workforce.     Back to Top >>> LDP class of '06 celebrates graduation, thanks leaders Corrine Thomas Dennison SPHR   Three years ago, MT-SHRM recognized the need for a leadership program and assembled a group to discuss and identify the core competencies of a leader, develop a curriculum with specific objectives for each session and interview professionals in the field willing to share their expertise.  This group conducted focus group meetings with local HR professionals and utilized SHRM and other national research to develop the competencies.  The resulting program consists of 12 weeks of two and a half hour workshops touching each of the leadership core competencies.    In 2006, 14 participants completed the program and are benefiting from the learnings, gained from both the facilitators and peers in the group.  This year's graduates were:  Noemi Bradley, Rosemary Dickerson, Akhona Fakudze, Aletha Gleaves, Stella Isch, Michael Jones, Anita Martin, Sharon Pertiller, Michael Pocchiari, Phillip Purcell, Linda Smithyman, Caitlin Stewart-Congdon, Laquita Stribling, and Carol Thomas.   We want to thank our facilitators for giving back to their profession in this venue.  They have donated their time to share their knowledge and experience with the LDP participants.  Please keep them in mind when you or your company require consultative or training services!   For the third year in a row we're happy to thank Elizabeth Crook, Gary Minor, Bob McKown, Marty Nord, and Dayle Savage.  For the second year, Mark Cappellino and new facilitators this year Judy King, Betty Johnson and Sherry Tarbutton.   The 2005 LDP volunteer team includes: Corrine Dennison, Beth Duncan,   Sabrina Haddad, Tami Lambert and Bob McKown, and we also thank the original LDP team Kellie Conn, Betty Johnson, Bob McKown, and Barbara Stewart.   Back to Top >>>   Regional SHRM scholarships now available Shelly Prochaska, SPHR, Southeast Region SHRM   This year is the first year SHRM has designated scholarship amounts and number of winners in two categories, education and certification, so scholarship applicants will know exactly what they will receive if they are selected as a winner.    One tangible benefit of the SHRM Foundation is its support of scholarships for SHRM members. More than $50,000 will be awarded in the 2006 Regional Scholarships Program.  The awards program is designed to assist working SHRM members in meeting their professional development goals. SHRM members pursuing a college degree or professional certification are eligible to apply for either a $1,300 education scholarship or a $600 certification scholarship.  Twelve scholarships will be awarded in each of the five domestic regions, so applicants compete only with members in their own area. (Members outside the U.S. are also eligible to apply.)  The application deadline is July 15, 2006.  Note: student members and local-only members are not eligible for these awards.  Contact Sandi Peyton or Lisa Gardner to request a free supply of scholarship brochures for your chapter. The scholarships are made possible by your generous support of the SHRM Foundation. Click here for award applications and information online.   The new Barbara Sanchez Scholarship Program is now available for HR professionals in the media industry.  Five $1,500 scholarships, one in each SHRM domestic region, will be awarded annually to SHRM members pursuing a college degree.  Applicants must be SHRM members working full-time in human resources in the media field (includes print, publishing, cable & satellite, broadcasting, motion picture, internet and communications).  In 2000, a scholarship fund was created to honor the late Barbara Sanchez, an HR director at Newsday and a dedicated member of the Media Human Resources Association (MHRA) board of directors.  MHRA was disbanded in 2003, and it was agreed that the remaining scholarship funds would be awarded through the SHRM Foundation. Funding is available for this scholarship program through 2009.   The application deadline is July 15, 2006. Click here for award applications and information online.  If you have additional question about either scholarship please contact Terry Finch or Lisa Gardner.   Back to Top >>> Planning to take the PHR or SPHR exam? Brooke Thurman, Communications Committee   Many human resource professionals have interest in receiving certification in their field.  The two most popular certifications are the PHR (Professional in Human Resources) and SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources).  MT-SHRM currently sponsors study groups for members to become involved with their peers in preparation for these exams.   The cost of exams is typically between $250 and $475. There are currently two different testing windows for PHR/SPHR certifications.  The first opportunity in 2006 is in the spring between May 1 and June 30 and the second in the fall between December 1 and January 31. Visit HRCI for more detailed information regarding testing.     MT-SHRM study groups are free for members and designed for committed individuals who will be dedicated to keeping up with reading and workload.  Current groups meet in either Brentwood or downtown Nashville; however future locations may vary based on the volume of participants.  Groups typically meet once weekly for 10-12 consecutive weeks.  MT-SHRM members are given a discounted rate on the student version of the study guide and also have rights to the facilitator's guide which includes PowerPoint slides not available in the student version.   Aimee Hull, current certification committee contact, says there are many benefits from receiving her certification.  "The study groups are a great networking opportunity to meet other HR professionals from all different industries, learn things you are not involved with regularly and get resources for various projects."  The next informational meeting for PHR/SPHR study groups will be on Monday, August 28.   Back to Top >>>   Summer fiesta at The Factory Brooke Thurman, Communications Committee   The MT-SHRM Community Involvement Committee is devoted to providing opportunities for members to get involved with the Nashville community and make a difference in other people's lives.   Come join your fellow members this summer as the MT-SHRM Community Involvement Committee presents Summer Fiesta for Habitat for Humanity, June 22 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Viking Culinary Arts Center at The Factory at Franklin.  Cost is $40 per person with a seasonal menu and beverages included.  Proceeds benefit the Habitat for Humanity.   Please contact Michael Pocchiari if you need additional information or have questions.   Back to Top >>> Committees welcome new members Tami Lambert, Vice Chair Professional Development   MT-SHRM is a volunteer organization and without the help of the many people who serve on committees, we would not be able to provide the quality of programs and events that we do.    Most recent additions to the Continuing Education Committee include Kim Pocchiari and Mel Waymaster.  The Leadership Development Program also welcomes Laquita Sterling and Carol Thomas.  John McLallen will be heading up the new Scholarship/Awards Committee and is looking for a few members to be a part of the team and can be reached at 615-832-8890.  Stella Isch joins the Certification Team.   All committees welcome those who want to get involved.  If you have a particular interest, click here to visit the Committee News pages on our Web site, or contact John Gilbert, Member Relations Chair, at 615-382-6408.   Back to Top >>> Strategic Business Network to hold event   Strategic Business Network, LLC (SBN) will present a QuikConnectTM networking event for "human resources, recruiters, trainers and other HR related industries" on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm with registration from 4:15 pm - 4:30 pm at the Acorn Restaurant, 114 28th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203, according to Adam Small, CEO of SBN. "SBN is offering an opportunity to forge relationships among HR, Recruiting, Training and others within or serving the Human Resource sector.  Participants will meet through a series of one-on-one interactions," says Adam.  "Connect and build relationships with more relevant and high quality professionals within your industry in one hour than you would meet in a whole month," he adds. Price is $35 in advance, $40 at the door and includes appetizers and drink.  Registration for the event is at www.strategicbusinessnetwork.com/HR.   Back to Top >>> Spotlight on the Board - Kevie Mikus, SPHR, MT-SHRM South Chair   The MT-SHRM South Chair is responsible for developing a strengthened presence in the Brentwood and Cool Springs communities in the effort to increase total chapter membership.  Kevie and her committee work to organize monthly meetings for MT-SHRM South area members and acts as the liaison between the Nashville and Brentwood/Cool Springs area members.    "My goal is to extend our Chapter's existing membership benefits to HR professionals who live or work in Williamson and surrounding counties, thereby expanding the impact we have in our local communities," says Kevie.   Kevie is Vice President, Client Services for The HR Group. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in human resources management from Oklahoma State University and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources.  Kevie Mikus can be reached at 615-244-8484. Back to Top >>>

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 Past presentations now available for download   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         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