Mt. Baker Chapter Upcoming Programs

Please check back soon for additional information about our 2011 programs.  We are looking forward to an informative year!

January 2011 - "STAYING AHEAD OF THE TECHNOLOGY CURVE - Policies and Procedures to Keep Pace with Today's New World" - Jack McCallum

Are your technology policies and procedures up-to-date with the demands made by today’s technologies?  What about the demands of tomorrow’s technologies?  Sure, you probably have a policy addressing general computer usage, equipment, and email, but there is a lot more to consider.
 
In this program, we’ll be discussing what your policies should include, the use of smart technology, and the need for social media rules in the workplace.  Also on the agenda are suggestions on procedures you should adopt when those policies have been violated, and what employers need to brace for when tomorrow’s technology becomes today’s everyday tools.
 
As technology makes the world far more accessible, employers must contend with increased privacy, confidentiality, and proprietary concerns.  Yesterday’s IT policies and procedures just aren’t useful any longer.  

About the Presenter:  Jack McCallum is the President/Principal Consultant for HR Balance LLC – a consulting company specializing in human resources management and leadership coaching.   Jack’s experience includes management roles in both for-profit and non-profit organizations in a variety of industries.  When not consulting, Jack provides continuing education opportunities through workshops, seminars, and on-site training. She also teaches human resources, ethics, leadership, and management at several colleges and universities, has been a keynote speaker for business organizations from Bellingham, Washington to London, England, and has been called upon to share her expertise for magazine and newspaper articles, as well as guest appearances on radio.

 This program has been pre-approved for HRCI recertification credit.

February 2011 - "Strategic Planning for the HR Professional"- Presented by Ramona Abbott and Renata Beata Kowalczyk

There's never a better time for strategic planning than right now. Come and learn two methods for approaching strategic planning: one from your left brain and one from the right. Each approach has its own particular strengths and application.

From our left brain, we focus on linear, logical steps and methodologies; from our right brains, we focus on systems, connections and using creativity to fill in the gaps. Both are equally valid; presenters will encourage and show you how to mix and match techniques as well.

About the Presenters: Ramona Abbott is a facilitator and trainer providing seminars and consultation services to private and public sector clients.  With a background in business, engineering and construction management, she brings over 20 years of experience into the workplace. Renata Beata Kowalczyk is a continuous improvement expert, certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Project Management Professional.  She has worked with large financial institutions and has managed consulting engagements in the areas of transportation, insurance and non-profits.

 This program has been pre-approved for HRCI recertification credit.

March 2011 - "What Now? Compensation Tips for the 'New Normal'" - Presented by Catherine Dovey, Compensation Works LLC.
 
We’ve seen the lowest pay increase budget in decades. Many organizations froze pay.  Even Microsoft stopped giving merit increases.  As the economy recovers, what should HR professionals be doing with compensation plans?  What do we need to be communicating to employees?  How can we pay for performance with very small increase budgets?  What role will incentives play in the “new normal”?
 
Labor costs are a huge expense for most organizations.  As HR professionals we have the ability to significantly impact the bottom line through our compensation programs.  Take this opportunity to get the latest tips and hints from a local expert! 
  
About the Presenter: Catherine Dovey, CCP, SPHR, is founder and Principal of Compensation Works LLC, a consulting firm specializing in strategic rewards.  Catherine has 20 years experience in diverse industries, including, financial services, health care, hi-tech, bio-tech, manufacturing, professional services, public sector and non-profit.
 
Clients value Catherine’s ability to communicate difficult compensation messages, deal with challenging personalities and with negatively charged issues.  Her work has been called “responsive, creative and yet, highly pragmatic”.  
 
Catherine is a well-respected member of the HR community, providing leadership, education, and mentorship contributions on the local, regional, and national level. A frequent speaker on compensation-related topics at conferences and professional associations, she has written white papers for the profession.  She is frequently quoted in compensation-related articles and journals including SHRM Week and HR Magazine.

 This program is has been pre-approved for HRCI recertification credit.

 April 2011 - "Responding to Agency Investigations" - Presented by Ashley Wiltbank, Vigilant

Ashley will present information on: 

Responding appropriately to an internal complaint

• The 5 steps of responding to a complaint, including the importance of follow-up
• Subsequent remedial measures (they’re not a sign of guilt!)

Responding appropriately to a state agency complaint

• Conducting an internal investigation – a how-to guide
• Getting all the facts
• Making a credibility assessment

Responding appropriately to a DOL investigation (usually, wage and hour)

• Internal audits help to ease the sting
• One word: cooperate 

Responding appropriately to an ICE investigation

• Outline the multi-step process
• Chances for remediation
• Internal audits a sign of good-faith compliance

About the Presenter:  A problem-solver with a law degree, Ashley has spent her entire professional career at Vigilant, where she is undefeated in representing members against state and federal agency complaints filed by former employees. Ashley is licensed to practice in two states, teaches several of Vigilant's legal-based training classes, is an accomplished public speaker, and a published author.

In 2009, Ashley spearheaded Vigilant's Dental Program. She recognized a need for assistance in small, individually-owned dental offices in large part because she helps her dentist-husband run his dental office. Her involvement with the day-to-day employment issues of the practice provides valuable, hands-on experience to the dentists in Vigilant membership.

 This program is pre-approved for HRCI recertification credit.

May 2011 - "HR Leadership Role: Facilitating the Touch Conversation" - Presented by Michael Cook, AMJ Group

The Human Resource function in any organization will not have an equal seat at the leadership table until HR leaders become full partners with their CEO. How does an HR leader demonstrate this kind of strategic value when so much of what they deliver to the organization is tactical in nature?  The staff and managers within an HR department have a unique perspective not shared by any other function. The work of HR touches every facet of the organization and when things aren’t functioning, often HR staff or managers are among the first to hear about it. The recognition that this unique perspective offers a strategic role for the HR staff is long over due; acting on this recognition is an even more pressing issue. Being willing to step in, then facilitate the tough conversations that need to take place between and among managers at all levels sets the HR leader up as full partner to any CEO or leadership team. 

By the end of this presentation, you will have received a template that can be used to help you design these challenging conversations.

About the Speaker:   Michael Cook is the founder of an organizational development firm, Vitalwork, Inc, in Rochester NY.  After 20 years of serving clients in this capacity, he created The Heart of Engagement (www.heartofengagement.com) and the AMJ Group through which he continues to explore and distinguish the essential elements of engaging working environments from the perspective of everyone involved.   Mike,  his wife and daughter now live in Anacortes, WA where he is continuing his consulting practice.  He is a keynote speaker at national and regional conferences and conventions.  He is the author of numerous articles, a terrific blog at the web address shown above, and has written the book THRIVE: Standing on Your Own Two Feet in a Borderless World.

 This program is pre-approved for HRCI recertification credit.

June 2011 - June 1/2 Day Workshop - please click here for the Workshop information

August 2011 - "Gossip On-The-Job:  If You Can't Prevent It.....Handle it!" - Presented by Cat J. Zavis 

It is common in many organizations that staff members converge and converse around the water cooler and behind closed doors.  In those interactions, colleagues share personal information, talk about challenges with other staff members, and gossip about other office members.  In many circumstances this information is then passed along through the information tunnel and the gossip spreads.  Human Resource managers struggle with how to handle these circumstances successfully and how to put a stop to gossip within the office.  In this interactive presentation, Human Resources managers will begin to understand why people gossip and what they can do to create a healthy, environment free of gossip. 

About the Presenter:  Cat J. Zavis, a lawyer since 1990, focuses her work in the areas of collaborative law, mediation, education, coaching, and training.  She has extensive training in Nonviolent (Compassionate) CommunicationSM and integrates it in all aspects of her work and personal lives.  She has led workshops and trainings for the WA State Bar Association, Collaborative Professionals of Washington, Western WA University, Fairhaven College, Domestic Violence shelters and schools.  In addition, she co-led a nine-month long program for parents wishing to share Compassionate CommunicationSM with other parents.  Cat offers coaching and counseling for individuals, parents, families, and couples wishing to bring more compassion and understanding into their daily lives.  Cat has taught at the Western Washington University, University of Washington, Fairhaven College, Skagit Valley Community College and Bellingham Technical College. She is the mother of 2 boys, whom she considers to be her greatest teachers. 

 This program is pending pre-approval for HRCI recertification credit.

"Executive Panel:  What We Want In Our HR Professionals" 

You asked for it, Chapter members!   This topic was voted number one in our last Chapter programs survey, and should provide a fascinating look into the minds and needs of executives from a wide variety of businesses and organizations in Whatcom County.   We will be asking our panelists about their views on HR's role in such areas as business strategy, bottom line financial impact, most important skills of an HR leader,  what the most valuable contribution HR leaders are making right now in their organizations, what they see HR's contributions will look like in the future, and much more.  

Please send us questions that you would like posed to the panel.  You may email your questions to our Moderator, Kathy Washatka  at .    We look forward to seeing you there! 

Panelists:

Facilitator/moderator:    
Kathy Washatka, NW Training Institute/Opportunity Council  

 This program is pending pre-approval for HRCI recertification credit.

October 2011 - "Understanding Transgender Issues in the Workplace" - Presented by Janis Walworth and Michele Kammerer,  Center for Gender Sanity

The concepts of biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation will be reviewed, and the range of forms transgenderism can take will be described and located within this framework. The origins of gender identity will be discussed and the various paths transgender people take toward self-actualization explained. Michele will supply a subjective perspective by telling her own story, from her early childhood feelings of gender discomfort to her transition from male to female as a captain in a major city fire department. Best practices for handling transgender issues, including transition, in the workplace will be summarized.

About the Presenters: Janis Walworth has an MS in Counseling and is the author of Transsexual Workers: An Employer's Guide and Working with a Transsexual: A Guide for Coworkers. She has also written a chapter in Training Tough Topics  and a white paper for the Society for Human Resource Management that deal with transgender issues in the workplace.

Michele Kammerer was a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department for 33 years. She transitioned from male to female as a Captain in 1991 and retired in 2003. Her story exemplifies the difficulties and achievements of transsexual men and women in our society.

Together, Janis and Michele founded the Center for Gender Sanity in 1997. They consult with employers who have transitioning workers, provide training for transsexuals' coworkers, and help transsexual employees transition successfully in the workplace. They also speak to a wide variety of audiences to promote understanding of transgendered people.

 This program is pending pre-approval for HRCI recertification credit.