Thursday, February 11, 2016

The Path for ILSHRM

I agreed to it, and I have been trying to learn from my mentor Connie Wolgemuth on what it is I am supposed to do, and what I am in charge of as the Director of ILSHRM. Connie is fabulous and has been a joy to work with, but I still have a great deal of consternation within this troubled mind of mine.

We recently wrapped up our annual leadership conference (#ILSHRMLead) and now we have survey results. So like most other things I have been involved with to this point in my life, I am trying to understand, analyze and comprehend what the data from the survey is telling me. Once I get it figured out, then I need to develop an action plan as to what we are going to do next year. Isn't that right, we are supposed to learn from our failures and capitalize on our successes.

This year (2016) we moved the event to Bloomington (downstate) for the first time. When I review the remarks people made, they either hated it (Chicago land members) or they loved it (down staters). There were also very polarizing comments about our programming. Everybody seems to want killer, kick ass content that will send them out the door feeling 10 feet, tall ready to go home and lead their organizations and run the best damn SHRM chapter in the world! Oh, and we have to do this on a shoestring budget. So that's what I am looking at for next year.

The "Money Lady" getting ready to do her thing.
It appears to me that this is going to get more difficult. So, I guess this is where the LEADERSHIP thing is supposed to kick in. I do what I think is the right thing, because of my KSAs and life experiences, and if I am right everyone throws accolades my way and tells me how wonderful I am - or....let's not think about the alternative.

Plans for next year need to begin soon, so I had better get this figured out quickly. I think, I am going to need some input from smart people around me, as to what to do about this conference and some of the other matters that are going to be on my plate as the State Director. Who do I trust, whose opinion should I value, who is right? Dunno! I guess this is what I signed up to do.

As I prepare to post this, I look back over this blog site and see all of the stuff I wrote as the Director of Social Media and now I am soon to be the State Director, hmm quite a change in roles and responsibilities. ILSHRMies soon you will be passengers on the craft which is being piloted by @DaveTheHRCzar former Director of Social Media turned ILSHRM State Director. I will need all or your help - please be gentle with me!

-Dave Ryan Director Elect ISC-SHRM