President's Letter

December 2005

Wow – 2005 has certainly flown by! When I took the oath of office last December, I never expected that this experience would be so gratifying. As I look back over the past year, we have many things to be proud of. Our 2005 theme was “Excellence Through Partnerships”, and we have certainly accomplished that!

Thank You
A very special “thank you” to our incredible, hard-working, and dedicated staff, led by Executive Director, Diane McClendon. We appreciate the tireless efforts of Diane, Amy Westerman, Buffy Peschka, Nikki Williams, and Karen Brueckner.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, the Boards of Dallas HR and HR Southwest, the Committee Chairs and Members, Sponsors, Speakers and the countless Volunteers and other Partners who gave their time and energy to make this such a successful year.

We would be remiss if we did not thank our employers who generously allowed us the time to participate in these professional development and volunteer opportunities, so we could continue to grow and develop, both as individuals and as an organization!

What did we accomplish in 2005?

Pinnacle Award
Dallas HR was recently honored by SHRM as the recipient of a 2005 Pinnacle Award for our Community Relations Program. The SHRM Pinnacle Awards Program is an annual recognition program honoring the highest achievements in chapter development and contributions that enhance the development and advancement of effective human resource management.

The Community Relations Program was designed to assist in the transition from welfare to productive employment and to improve community relations through active partnerships with various community organizations. These organizations included the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the North Texas Food Bank, Bryan’s House, the Dallas Life Foundation, Attitudes & Attire, and the Texas Workforce Commission.

Congratulations to Debi Dault, Community Relations Director, to all of the committee members, and to all the Dallas HR members who participated in and contributed to this wonderful program.

More Accomplishments
The following list highlights a few more accomplishments in 2005 --

Programs and Special Events:

• Educational Sessions -- “Tools for Implementing HR Strategic Management”; “Emotional Intelligence-Useful Tools for the HR Practitioner”; “Employee Selection-What an Interviewer Must Know”; “HR 101”; “Relationship Management for HR Business Partners”; and “Interview Boot Camp”, our newest educational offering.
• Monthly luncheon meetings with informative and entertaining speakers and panelists
• Certification Reception for our HRCI certified members
• Certification Credits for Programs and Monthly Meetings
• Networking Happy Hours, including one co-sponsored with ASTD
• Breakfast Meetings on topics of interest
• Diversity Seminar
• Employment Law Conference
• Volunteer Fair
• Best Places to Work co-sponsor with the Dallas Business Journal
• A Fantastic HR Southwest Conference, thanks to Cathy White (Conference Director), the HR Southwest Board, Staff and Volunteers!

Professional Development and Member Services:

• Leadership Training for Association Volunteers
• Job Link and E-Link Meetings
• HRCI Study Groups
• HRCI Exam Crash Course
• Scholarships
• SHRM National Conference participants
• SHRM Leadership Conference participants
• SHRM Employment Law & Legislative Conference participants
• A Redesigned Web Site with Additional Links
• Quarterly Printed Newsletters (Horizon)
• Dallas HR Member Survey
• DFW Area Salary Survey
• Served as HR Voice and Resource in Response to Media Requests for Information
• A Record High Membership – 1947 Members!
• Professional Emphasis Groups (PEGs)
  • Compensation
  • Benefits
  • Independent Consultants
  • HR Healthcare
  • Staffing & Recruiting, now forming

Governance:

• Development of Corporate Duties and Responsibilities Matrix
• Strategic Planning Process
• Implementation of Balanced Scorecard
• Refinement of Cash Management and other Administrative Procedures

Partnerships:

• SHRM Foundation
  • Dallas HR Silent Auction raised $8,000+ for the SHRM Foundation
• Texas State Council Participation
  • Chapter members who serve in leadership roles with TSC
  • Co-hosted TSC Leadership meeting in October
• Partnered with Fellow SHRM Chapters on Various Programs and Projects
• Student Chapters
  • Student Sponsorships to HR Southwest Conference
  • Student Scholarships
  • Hosted Student Guests at Monthly Meetings
  • Provided Speakers for Student Programs
  • Assistance with The HR Games and Student Leadership Conference
• Community Relations Programs
• Training Seminars for Texas Workforce Commission – TWC is on track to train over 2000 people in 2005.
• Contributed 1,000 New Toys to the Salvation Army Forgotten Angel Program
• Raised Funds for Tsunami Victim Relief
• Donated over 200 Pounds of Food to the North Texas Food Bank
• Provided diapers and Need Supplies for Bryan’s House
• Donated 1,000 Toiletry Items to the Dallas Life Foundation
• Provided Clothing and Accessories for Attitudes and Attire
• Held a Community Relations Fair
• Promotion of Hurricane Katrina Job Fair and Hurricane Relief resource Information on the web site
• Raised $10,000 for American Red Cross Hurricane Relief

I think everyone deserves a round of applause for all these accomplishments!

December Monthly Meeting
Joel Zeff will present our December program -- “The Strength of Laughter: Energizing Your Spirit with Humor". The Strength of Laughter focuses on reducing stress, increasing creativity and creating a renewed passion for our jobs. Joel highlights the importance of play in our work lives to create balance. You’ll walk away smiling, motivated and rejuvenated -- a great program as we close out 2005 and look forward to 2006!

December Meeting Toy Drive
Remember our Community Relations beneficiary for the December meeting is Salvation Army Forgotten Angels. Remember to bring new, unwrapped toys for children who were not adopted from the Salvation Army Angel Trees. Last year we donated 1,000 toys for this worthy cause. Let’s make the holidays special for even more children this year!

Looking Forward to 2006
The 2005 leadership team and volunteers did a fantastic job! They continued to build on the foundation that was in place and “modified the blueprints” when necessary. Carol Hollen will assume the role of President for 2006, and again we have a great leadership team in place to guide us through the coming year. The organization will be in very capable hands.

I want to thank each one of you for your personal support and encouragement -- and for making 2005 such a rewarding year for me. Above all, thank you for continuing the tradition of excellence for Dallas HR!

Carla Williams, SPHR
2005 President
Dallas HR – 2005 SHRM Pinnacle Award Winner

“Excellence Through Partnerships”

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