VHRA history
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.
Our objectives
Now in its fourth decade, VHRA's objectives continue to be:
- To provide a means to foster closer cooperation among those engaged in the human resources profession;
- To facilitate the exchange of information and ideas;
- To provide a forum for discussion and group study to enhance the professional competency of the membership; and
- To keep professionals abreast of advancements and evolving regulations in the human resources field
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)

