Events

Aug 16

Day-long Program: Leveraging Social Media to Maximize Success in Networking, Recruitment & Retention

Hauke Conference Center, 375 Maple Street, Burlington, VT

Mon, August 16, 2010, 7:30 AM-5:00 AM

Featured speaker(s): Multiple

An information-packed day with workshops, panels, and discussions plus valuable action plans. Refer to attached pdf file for the day's program. Deadline to register: Monday, August 9, 2010.

Fees:
$60 for current VHRA members and members of affiliated state chapters
$75 for non-members and guests

Cost: $60.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Pat Boera, (802) 651-5991, vhra@champlain.edu, http://www.vthra.org

Files: Event Flyer

Jul 21

July 2010 Networking Breakfast

The Essex-Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa (new location), 70 Essex Way, Essex, VT

Wed, July 21, 2010, 7:30 AM-10:00 AM

THE ADAA & ACCOMMODATIONS: IT'S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE
Presenter: April Tuck, SPHR, Senior Director for Human Resources & Compliance Officer, Copley Hospital, Morrisville, representing Vermont's Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
Kerin Stackpole, Esq., Bergeron, Paradis, & Fitzpatrick, Burlington
A panel of employees discussing their experience with successful accommodations:
Owen Milne, Director of Development, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
S. Sam Sepah, Human Resources Partner, IBM
David Lawrence, Radiology Technologist, Copley Hospital Systems
Steve Cothalis, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapist, Copley Hospital Systems

To many, employing and accommodating a person with a disability may seem daunting, and misunderstandings persist about the mandates, expectations, and liabilities inherent within the Americans with Disabilities Act, Amended (the "ADAA"). However, when you look beyond the statutory language into the world of real people communicating with each other, you will learn that making accommodations can be rather simple, inexpensive, and most importantly, a rewarding, creative and collaborative process that provides a win not only for the individual employee, but for the organization itself. Join us for a special two-hour presentation offered by the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, led by GCEPD member April Tuck. The presentation will include:
~ A brief overview of the ADAA and current changes, from the legal perspective;
~ A practical discussion of what it really means to employ and accommodate a person with a disability -- while also complying with the ADA -- from the real life perspective of a senior human resources professional. Learn how adjusting one's attitude, becoming more creative, communicating well, and collaborating, are the true keys to success.
~ Case studies of successful employee accommodations; and
~ A panel of individuals with disabilities who have benefited from workplace accommodations, discussing their experience and how they bridged the gap to become successful at work.

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, (802) 865-5458, vhra@champlain.edu

Files: Flyer for July 21 VHRA Breakfast

Jun 16

June 2010 Networking Breakfast

Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, 870 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT

Wed, June 16, 2010, 7:30 AM-10:30 AM

7:30-8:00 a.m. Registration/networking
8:00-9:30 a.m. Presentation by Barbara Johnson
9:30-10:30 a.m. Presentation by Valerie Rickert

BEYOND SARBANES OXLEY: MOVING FROM COMPLIANCE TO A CULTURE OF INTEGRITY
Presenter: Barbara L. Johnson, AVP for Human Resource Services, University of Vermont

Ethics is the study of standards relating to right and wrong--what we ought to do. Organizational ethics is critically important: a necessity rather than a luxury. As time pressures the workforce to become increasingly productive, ethics can provide the necessary framework to put this change and pressure into perspective. Some business leaders have observed that we will not survive the 21st Century with the ethics of the 20th Century:
* Technology leverages our ethics in new and increasingly complex ways;
* A single individual is capable of destroying people, their property and the balance of nature in ways never before possible;
* Large-scale systems operated by intelligent, ethical individuals can be a positive force in the world, but substitute unethical for ethical, and the consequences can be terrible.
HR professionals are responsible for shaping the organization's ethics policy and for creating a culture where ethics is valued and violations result in disclosure. Many ethical situations are not clear-cut and require experience and expertise to arrive at a workable solution. One approach is to establish an organizational ethics program that is informed by a shared understanding of organizational risk tolerance, rather than solely by administration of policies and rules. Explore the elements the University of Vermont is putting in place to transition from a traditional compliance management program to the articulation of workplace behaviors and cultural norms that reflect core values.
In this interactive workshop, you will learn to:
* Develop and communicate your organization's core ethical behaviors;
* Differentiate right vs. right from right vs. wrong ethical situations;
* Distinguish between compliance and cultural norms as behavior standards.

About Barbara L. Johnson, ED.M., serves as the Associate Vice President for Human Resource Services at the University of Vermont. Throughout her extensive career in Human Resource Management in higher education and in the private sector, Ms. Johnson has specialized in the development of management practices and reward systems that strengthen and encourage high-performing individuals and organizations. Recognized for more than a decade as a national leader in the design and delivery of leadership training for executives, administrators and labor union officials, Ms. Johnson has developed a participative management model for mentoring leaders in the academic setting. Her experience also includes the development of innovative, programmatic approaches to recruitment and retention, performance communication, employee relations and labor relations management, including models for peer mediation and employee mentoring. She lectures extensively in human resource management at the graduate level, and she is a frequent speaker at professional conferences on change management, ethical practices, innovative pay practices, career development, and women in management.

SPECIFICS ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN VERMONT
Presenter: Valerie Rickert, Deputy Commissioner of Vermont Department of Labor

Valerie Rickert was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor in February 2010. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Rickert spent 25 years with the department in a variety of positions with the unemployment insurance program, including the last five years as Director of the Unemployment Insurance and Wages Division. She was involved with audits of paid benefits, investigations of possible inappropriate payment of benefits, collection of delinquent contribution reports, and collection of unpaid unemployment insurance taxes and overpaid unemployment insurance benefits. Ms. Rickert was also involved in several projects that moved the unemployment insurance system from a manual process towards a more automated process with the centralization of the entire claims taking process, automated computation of benefits, and automated claim issue resolution applications. She grew up in Proctor, Vermont and has resided in Central Vermont for the past several years.

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, (802) 865-5458, vhra@champlain.edu

May 19

May 2010 Networking Breakfast

Hilton Hotel (new location), 60 Battery Street, Burlington, VT

Wed, May 19, 2010, 7:30 AM-10:00 AM

2010 LEGISLATIVE AND HEALTH CARE REFORM UPDATE

With the 2010 Vermont legislative session coming to an end, what do you need to know as an HR professional?
What has changed that will affect your business?
What new laws require compliance, and when?
What will Health Care Reform mean for you and your employees?

Please plan on attending this important, informative session and come with your questions!

Introducing Our Presenters:

Eric Jones, Attorney, Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC: Eric Jones represents employers in a broad range of matters, including the defense of employment disputes before state and federal courts and enforcement agencies. Eric has extensive experience defending employers in lawsuits and administrative proceedings involving claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful discharge, wage and hour and leave law violations.

John Maitland, Attorney, Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC: John Maitland represents employers on a wide variety of labor and employment law issues. Combining his legal training with his SPHR certification, John works with clients to develop solutions that integrate legal compliance, good human resource practices and strategic alignment with the organization's mission.

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, (802) 865-5458, vhra@champlain.edu

Apr 21

April 2010 Networking Breakfast

Hilton Hotel, 60 Battery Street, Burlington, VT

Wed, April 21, 2010, 7:30 AM-11:15 AM

A STRATEGIC MODEL FOR DEVELOPING TALENT AND HIGH POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES: HR PROFESSIONALS AND THE MANAGER AS COACH (8:00-9:30 a.m.)
Presenter: Emily Morrow, Esq., Executive Consultant

Successful businesses and other organizations have been shown to have a supportive and empowering culture, in which employees are encouraged to develop their talents and maximize their potential. During periods of increased financial stress, having such a culture is often what differentiates high performing companies financially and otherwise from their competitors. How can such a culture be encouraged and what is the role of the HR professional in doing so?

Some of the methods HR managers and other leaders in an organization can use to bring about cultural changes are:
* Issue orders and criticism: "Call a meeting and tell the troops."
* Role modeling the new behavior with no consultation: "I don't do it, so why are you doing it?"
* Consultation, explanation and coaching: Acknowledge systemic and people needs and discussing the changes and the behaviors that can replace the status quo.

Recently, the marketplace has accepted coaching as "the best practice" training tool to motivate and help people perform optimally in the work place. However, managers in the workplace have not always been familiar with the skills, knowledge and attitudes that are essential attributes of a successful coach. This program will address the role of the HR professional in training managers in the skills needed to use coaching as a methodology to impact and influence culture. Behavioral coaching frameworks, structure and forms of coaching are core human resource development skills for the HR professional.

This program will focus on:
* Understanding how coaching skills create high performance cultures and organizational change.
* Defining what coaching is and how it differs from other approaches such as mentoring, counseling and the "telling" (command and control) style of management.
* Understanding the rationale and benefits of coaching.
* Developing your own coaching skills as an HR professional.
* Training the managers in your workplace in coaching skills and how to use them effectively with their own teams and direct reports.
* Educating the leaders in your workplace as to why coaching has the highest return on investment (ROI) in terms of creating an optimal and profitable workplace culture.
* Applying your coaching skills with greater knowledge, confidence and commitment across all your key management functions.
* Influencing leaders in your workplace about why, how and when to implement a coaching based culture.
* This program is designed to qualify for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit pursuant to PHR-SPHR specifications in both the "Strategic Management" and "Human Resource Development" categories.

BREAKING THROUGH: THREE KEY STEPS TO IMPROVING EMPLOYEE RESPONSE-ABILITY (9:45-11:15 a.m.)
Presenter: Ginny Hoverman, President, Step Up Coaching

Do you have one or more employees who are "just okay" but could be great? In this interactive presentation, Ginny will show how to turn potential into performance. You will learn to:
* Improve employee professionalism and performance
* Increase employee effectiveness in communications and teamwork
* Heighten motivation and productivity for your team

HR leaders are at the center of a challenging juggling act, as their organizations work to meet financial objectives while striving to make the most of their current workforce. Companies can no longer afford to have employees whose talents are under-used and whose performance is disappointing. In this workshop, you will learn the critical steps to maximizing the productivity, engagement, and performance of your current employees.

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, (802) 865-5458, vhra@champlain.edu

Mar 29

Champlain College Spring 2010 Job Fair: Co-sponsored by VHRA

Champlain College Gymnasium, 262 South Willard Street, Burlington, VT

Mon, March 29, 2010, 1:30 AM-5:30 AM

Announcing a Spring Job Fair, hosted by Champlain College, in collaboration with the Lake Champlain Regional Commerce, Vermont Department of Labor, and Vermont Human Resources Association. Monday, March 29, 2010, 1:30 until 5:30 p.m. in the Gymnasium within the IDX Student Life Center, 262 South Willard Street, Burlington, VT. Participating employers will be offering full-time, part-time and seasonal opportunities. Some may also be offering internships. All job seekers are welcome! Parking is limited on campus, so we suggest using public transportation or car pooling. For further information, go to www.champlain.edu/career-services.html.

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, (802) 865-5458, shaw@champlain.edu, http://www.champlain.edu/career-services.html

Mar 22

2nd Annual Reinvent Yourself Conference: Co-sponsored by VHRA

Sheraton Conference Center, 870 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT

Mon, March 22, 2010, 9:30 AM-3:00 AM

The Lake Champlain Workforce Investment Board Presents the 2nd Annual Reinvent Yourself Conference, a free event for individuals who are seeking a new career, are unemployed or are underemployed, and who want to strategically pursue education and training opportunities in order to reinvent themselves and their career prospects. The Reinvent Yourself Conference will bring together representatives from leading and emerging industries and economic sectors such as Green Energy, Software and Digital Marketing, Home Care/Health Aides, Healthcare, and Bioscience; representatives from higher education institutions, vocational and other training providers, and governmental and non-profit workforce resources; governmental and non-profit workforce resources will be there to help individuals access the services they have available and might not be aware of; employers (from any industry) who are currently hiring; and individuals who need to connect with any of these representatives and workshops! There will be 45-minute workshops for these individuals on promoting themselves in the traditional and on-line job markets, networking, identifying transferable skills, on-line resources and even starting your own business! Info: Lisa Quinlan, 802-863-3489, ext. 221 or quinlan@vermont.org, www.workinvermont.org

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Lisa Quinlan, (802) 863-3489, quinlan@vermont.org, http://www.workinvermont.org

Mar 17

March 2010 Networking Breakfast

Sheraton Conference Center, 870 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT

Wed, March 17, 2010, 7:30 AM-10:00 AM

PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR THE HR PROFESSIONAL
Presenters: Catherine Matosky and Porter Knight

Have you ever wondered what project management is? Or how it relates to you and your organization? While the idea of project management is most commonly associated with large endeavors such as building a bridge or creating a software program, the principles of project management can be applied with great success to projects of any size or complexity! In this session, we'll help teach you the basics of project management. You'll learn how to identify tasks, determine accountability, and set a schedule; giving you the knowledge to achieve your goals and feel good about it. You'll leave with the knowledge to effectively apply project management skills to any size project for improved results.

Porter Knight is a dynamic and popular presenter, life-changing consultant, and published author of two books: Organized to Last: 5 Simple Steps to Staying Organized and Get Paid to Win Clients: Public Speaking as a Marketing Tool. She founded Organized by Knight in 1996 and has been teaching clients and workshop participants to dig out from under piles and create systems ever since. Porter specializes in helping clients improve Workflow Alignment & Time Management (creating space, finding files, effective scheduling) and Electronic Organizing (processing e-mail, finding documents, making sense of the server). Porter was one of the first in the nation to achieve the credential of Certified Professional Organizer. She is a graduate of Middlebury College.

Catherine Matosky joined Porter Knight in the spring of 2009 after 20 years of project manager roles in the business sector. Along with a love of helping others learn the skill of organizing, Catherine brings a passion for methodology. She has designed trainings to make the institutional practices of Project Management and Process Design/Documentation accessible to small business environments and those looking to improve productivity in any workplace setting. Catherine specializes in helping clients master Project Management (accomplishing goals on-time, within budget) and Process Documentation (identifying steps to ensure consistent, quality outcomes). Catherine is a Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional and a graduate of the University of Vermont.

Both Porter and Catherine are active members of the National Association of Professional Organizers.

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, (802) 865-5458, vhra@champlain.edu

Feb 17

February 2010 Networking Breakfast

Sheraton Conference Center, 870 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT

Wed, February 17, 2010, 7:30 AM-10:00 AM

WILL YOU BE READY FOR FEDERAL HEALTH REFORM? A LOOK UNDER THE HOOD: THE HEALTH REFORM ENGINE AND WHAT MAKES IT GO
Presenter: Mark Holloway, Lockton Benefit Group

Our presenter will break down the major components of the health reform bill that most impact employees and employers, from the individual and employer mandates to the new taxes and who pays them, federal assistance for the purchase of insurance, and the host of mandated plan design changes that might apply to your group plan.

The program will be an up-to-date discussion of the fast breaking developments for health reform. In the event Congress has passed a bill by February 17, the program will address the requirements of the new law and the varying effective dates. If the bill is still pending at the time of the presentation, the focus will be on likely outcomes and the implications for employers and their compensation and benefit programs.


About Our Presenter: Mark Holloway is a senior vice president and a Director of Compliance with the Lockton Benefit Group. He provides technical advice related to health and welfare benefit plans to Lockton Benefit Group professionals and their clients throughout the country. His expertise is in a variety of compliance-related issues including COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, discrimination testing, FMLA, state insurance laws and legislative and regulatory issues at the state and federal levels. Mark has written a number of articles and is a member of the editorial board of advisors for the Benefits Law Journal. His most recent article is �Update: Medicare Reporting Requirements for Employer Group Health Plans,� which appears in the winter 2009 edition of the Benefits Law Journal. Mark also served as the co-author and editor of The Coordination of Benefits Handbook, which is published by the Thompson Publishing Group. Mark received his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Hartwick College, his J.D. from Wake Forest University, and his LL.M. in Taxation from Villanova University Law School. He has completed the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) program sponsored by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, (802) 865-5458, shaw@champlain.edu

Jan 20

January 2010 Networking Breakfast

Sheraton Conference Center, 870 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT

Wed, January 20, 2010, 7:30 AM-10:00 AM

PART I. PRACTICAL WAYS TO MINIMIZE FIDUCIARY LIABILITY WITHIN YOUR COMPANY RETIREMENT PLAN

As HR professionals you perform a significant role in the oversight of your company sponsored retirement plan. Virtually all of the ERISA litigation cases filed between 2003 and 2008 have alleged a fiduciary breach and 401(k) and pension fiduciaries are being named defendants in these cases at an increasing rate. It is crucial that your plan fiduciaries have a viable process for overseeing their fiduciary duties. This is an important session for HR Professionals, Board of Directors and Management.

In this session you will learn:
How to create and manage a prudent fiduciary governance process for your retirement plan(s);
Ways to leverage your retirement plan provider and advisors to assist you with this process; and
The importance of documentation in your fiduciary process.

PART II: EMPLOYEE EDUCATION THAT CAN IMPROVE YOUR EMPLOYEES FINANCIAL WELLNESS

Studies show that employees who have their personal finances under control are more productive and happier at the workplace. Financial Wellness Programs can be a proactive way to empower your employees to learn important financial skills and take positive actions towards fulfillment of a strong financial future. As your employee benefit programs offer more and more choices for employees to choose from, it becomes necessary to identify resources and develop education programs that help your employees make informed decisions based on their unique circumstance.

In this session you will learn how human resources:
Participates as a contributing partner in the development of employee education programs.
Partners with key individuals and organizations in the community to assist in achieving the education objectives.
Develops and utilizes metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of these education programs.

Presenters: Dan Boardman, President; Shaun King, Investment Advisor Representative, Hickok & Boardman Retirement Solutions

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, (802) 865-5458, shaw@champlain.edu

Dec 16

December Networking Breakfast: "The Mindful Leader"

Hilton Hotel, 60 Battery Street, Burlington, VT

Wed, December 16, 2009, 7:30 AM-11:00 AM

Why does Google encourage their managers to practice mindfulness meditation? Why does Harvard conduct an annual conference on the application of mindfulness to the practice of law? And why is the Wharton Business School interested in introducing such a practice to their MBA students? A new generation of business leaders is turning to mindfulness as a cutting-edge leadership tool in order to rediscover vital talents that can make the difference in how we lead our organizations and our lives.

Covering topics presented in his book The Mindful Leader (Shambhala 2007), Michael Carroll will lead a discussion where we will explore how to pursue success while promoting a healthy uplifted workplace that inspires the best in others. We will learn how to meditate, discuss the benefits of such a discipline and examine how mindfulness meditation cultivates us as leaders, not based solely on ambition, speed and power but as importantly on the vision of the leader as wise, skillful and intelligent.

Don’t miss this important and valuable to meet and learn from author, Michael Carroll.

Michael Carroll is the author of Awake at Work (Shambhala 2004) and The Mindful Leader (Shambhala 2007) and over his 26-year business career has held executive positions with such companies as Shearson Lehman/American Express, Simon & Schuster and The Walt Disney Company. Michael has an active consulting and coaching business with client firms such as Procter & Gamble, AstraZeneca, Starbucks, Google, Lutheran Medical Center, National Board of Medical Examiners and others.

Michael has been studying Tibetan Buddhism since 1976, graduated from Buddhist seminary in 1980 and is an authorized teacher in the Kagyu Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He has lectured at Wharton Business School, Columbia University, Swarthmore College, St. Mary’s University, Yale University, Omega Institute (assisting Pema Chodron) and many other practice centers throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, (802) 865-5458, shaw@champlain.edu

Nov 18

Strategic Perspectives on HR from CEOs and HR: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Hilton Hotel, 60 Battery Street, Burlington, VT, VT

Wed, November 18, 2009, 7:30 AM-10:00 AM

As HR professionals, it is crucial that management and HR are partners in the creation and execution of the organization's strategic direction and HR initiatives align with and support the organization's mission, vision and values.

Please join us to hear from area CEOs and their Chief Human Resources

Officers about how they partner to create and implement strategic HR plans in moving their organizations forward. Learn how the demands of today have changed from those of yesterday and what human resources professionals need to do to prepare for the demands of the future.

You will learn how human resources:

Participates as a contributing partner in the organization's strategic planning process.

Establishes relationships/alliances with key individuals and organizations in the community to assist in achieving the organization's strategic goals and objectives.

Develops and utilizes metrics to evaluate HR's contributions to the achievement of the organization's strategic goals and objectives.

Develops and executes strategies for managing organizational change that balance the expectations and needs of the organization, its employees, and all other stakeholders.

Facilitates the development and communication of the organization's core values and ethical behaviors.

Reinforces the organization's core values and behavioral expectations through modeling, communication, and coaching

The organizations we will hear from cross industry sectors, represent a variety of employer sizes and come from private, public and non-profit business environments.

GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER: Mary Powell, President, and Rebecca Towne, HR Manager

HOWARD CENTER: Todd Centybear, President, and Lorraine Jenne, Director-Operations and HR

RHINO FOODS: Ted Castle, President, and Justin Worthley, General Manager

VHRA members with PHR, SPHR or GPHR certification may be able to earn HRCI credits for this program.

We have applied for strategic credits.

The registration fee is $10 for current 2009 VHRA professional members and $15 for associate members and guests.

Mail registration form with payment to Vermont Human Resources Association, c/o Champlain College, please include <VHRA Registration for November 18, 2009> on subject line. Firm registration deadline: Friday, November 13, 2009.

Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, VHRA@Champlain.edu

Sep 16

The Evolving Face of Retirement: Helping Employees Prepare for the Road Ahead

Hilton Burlington, 60 Battery Street, Burlington, VT

Wed, September 16, 2009, 7:30 AM-4:15 AM

Are you prepared to help employees with such questions as:

1.How can I be proactive? What kind of transitional planning should I do?
2.When should I retire? What will it cost me?
3.Do you still want me? Do you still need me? Where will I fit best?
4.Can I still work part time? How will it affect my Social Security?
5.Medicare: What does it cover? What does it cost?
6.What about health insurance for dependents?
7.What issues are there in terms of creating more flexibility in the workplace?
8.What legal, financial, healthcare and IRS issues do I need to consider?
9.How can I redefine what success is: Who am I, what can I do, and how can I contribute?
10.How can I pay for a change of career?
11.What are my options and how can I get there?
12.What are the resources that I can tap?

This conference will prepare HR professionals on how to assist employees with key retirement issues: Life/financial planning, estate planning, health care, IRS and social security, psychological/social, and retention.

Watch your e-mailbox in early August for more information about this program.

Cost: $0.00. Directions: View event location on a map. More information: Dolly Shaw, (802) 865-5458, membership@VHRA.org