About us
Vermont Human Resource Association (VHRA) is Vermont's oldest and largest association devoted to Human Resource professionals of all levels. Through monthly networking events, workshops and seminars, we provide information and resources HR professionals need to stay at the forefront of their profession.
The Vermont Human Resources Association (formerly the Vermont Personnel Association) was founded in May 1969 with the filing of a petition for chapter charter to the Board of Directors of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM, formerly ASPA).
First meeting
The first meeting of the newly formed association was held on Oct. 28, 1969, in Rutland.
The minutes of that first meeting describe the beginning of VHRA as it exists today:
Colm O'Hara (Standard Register) provided a brief resume of the organization of the VHRA and noted interest in who was the Vermont Representative to Region 5 of the American Society of Personnel Administration.
It was noted that Vermont was the only state without a professional organization for personnel administrators.
Interested personnel directors, including Tom Soules (IBM), Leslie Bell (State of Vermont), Sanford Leipman (Central Vermont Public Service), H.O. Walsh (Howe Richardson Scale), Robert Labonte (Fellows Gear Company), and Harry Gale (Gale Associates), got together with Cliff and Colm and initiated the founding of the Vermont Personnel Association.
More information
Human resources professionals interested in learning more about VHRA or joining, are encouraged to contact our Membership Chair:
Dolly Shaw, PHRDirector of Career Services
Champlain College
P.O. Box 670
Burlington, VT 05402-0670
Phone: (802) 865-5458
Fax: (802) 860-2772
E-mail: shaw@champlain.edu
VHRA (Chapter #119) has maintained close ties with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the national professional association.
SHRM is the leading voice of the human resources profession, providing:
- Education and information services;
- Conferences and seminars;
- Government and media representation; and
- Online services and publications
... to more than 130,000 professional and student members.
For information about SHRM membership, call (800) 283-SHRM or (703) 548-3440 or apply online at www.shrm.org.
Mission
To enhance Human Resource professionals' ability to advance their organizations and communities.
Vision
- Members exemplify strategic leadership
- VHRA is a recognized leader in the community as a resource for a broad range of human resource topics and trends
- Human Resource professionals guide their organizations for growth and success in Vermont and around the world.
Values
- Highest standards of excellence
- Ethical
- Member focused
- Collaborative and community minded
- Promote diversity and differing viewpoints
- Wise steward of resources
On-going goals
Continue to:
- Build a strong sustainable organization
- Have an active and involved membership capitalizing on their knowledge
- Use technology and media that is relevant to our members
- Collaborate with other organizations to deliver value to our members and community
Meetings
The organization generally meets eight to 10 times a year. Networking Breakfasts continue to be very popular and seem to accommodate the busy schedules of our members while providing educational opportunities on a variety of topics.
Executive Committee
Officers and members of the VHRA Executive Committee are elected for two-year terms. These leadership positions include:
- President
- Vice-President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Membership and Program Chair
- Public Relations Coordinator
- Networking Breakfast Coordinator(s)