Want to Write For ILSHRM

Anything for the team -John !

To: Members and Friends of ILSHRM

From: ILSHRM Board


We want you. Where is a picture of Dave the HR Czar pointing at you when you need one? (What, we do have one?) We are putting together our Winter edition of your ILSHRM Magazine and are looking for
contributors.

For those of you unfamiliar with the ILSHRM Magazine, it is publication that ILSHRM puts out a few times a year. It is not your typical newsletter but a full blown real deal magazine. It is distributed to HR professionals throughout the state of Illinois and a few sneak out nationally. Our press run is around
10000 copies.

The “theme” of our next issue is on the elections (state, local or Federal) will affect HR and the workplace. As you can imagine, the outcome could have vast implications on how we operate as a profession and in business in general. If you have opinions or thoughts that you would like to share, please let us know. All entries will be considered and the best will be used, especially if we get a nice mix of both local and national topics. This is not limited to ILSHRM members but they might get first
priority if we run out of space.

There is a deadline of November 28, 2012 so we can choose and forward to our publisher. If you are interested, notify me and I can get you the details for the articles. I know a bunch of you who will read this post have plenty of great thoughts and writing skills. Let’s put both to good use.

John Jorgensen
jkjorg@aol.com

SHRM Leadership 2012

It is November.  In SHRM circles it is time for the annual pilgrimage - or at least that's what it seems like. Every year in November SHRM holds its annual SHRM Leadership Conference. Hundreds and sometime more that 1000 SHRM volunteers from all over the globe travel to the Washington D.C. area and hear what it's all about. I have been fortunate to attend this event a number of times, in my different roles as an active SHRM Volunteer.  So for me each year the conference always offers something old and something new.

This year, for the first time in a long time the event itself is going to be held in a different location.  For many years the event was held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Crystal City, VA. I always found the place to be very nice. You can board the Metro, shop underground or dine without going outside from the hotel. I always thought that was kind of neat.  Nonetheless, this year's event is going to be held at a new facility The Gaylord National Harbor Hotel and Convention Center, which looks like a pretty swanky place from what I can tell.

I used to thing the The Leadership Conference was really a single purpose event where SHRM Leaders welcomed and thanked their loyal volunteers for their work, and then showed them the way; by explaining in  a deep rich way who SHRM really is, what their mission is and how each person in their role as a volunteer is a vital link in the chain.  While this is still true, as a sage veteran I have also come to understand that there is something else equally important as a part of the conference. That part of the conference is SHRM Lobby Day.

Congressman Schock touring our production facility.

Last year was the first time that I had participated in this event. What is SHRM Lobby Day - in short it is a large contingent (2011 was 400+)of SHRM members descending on Capitol Hill, meeting and greeting with our elected representatives in our roles as HR Professionals.  We were well prepped at breakfast, by the SHRM Legislative Affairs team,   then given our mission,  We went to the hill and  met and spoke to the legislators and their staffs, on issues important to SHRM.   (If you want more detail you can read a post from last year.)

I am participating in SHRM Lobby Day again this year.  In fact, that one visit has lead to me developing a solid relationship, and a visit to my workplace with my Congressman Aaron Shock.  I strongly urge anyone who is planning on attending to participate in SHRM Lobby Day, it will be good for you, your employer and for SHRM.

Lastly as an "old dog" I really enjoy getting to the mothership (SHRM Headquarters) and seeing all of the people who have I become really good friends with over the years and who have helped me succeed in my volunteer SHRM roles. So watch out Mr. Midkiff and Ms. Hughes, I will be looking for you when I am in town.

- Dave Ryan Director of Social Media ISC SHRM