Something About Mary

It is thrilling to be a part of the SHRM18 social media team.  As a group, we are given access to just about everything going on with SHRM and the Annual Conference. SHRM also provides us space and tools so that we can produce content and information to help promote SHRM and the event.  I think we do a good job (except for picking up after ourselves in the Bloggers Lounge).

For the bloggers, Mary Kaylor is our main point of contact with SHRM.  Officially Mary, is the Manager of Public Affairs for SHRM.  She is the producer of #NextChat, managing editor of the SHRM blog and is involved with most aspects of social media and many other communication efforts at SHRM.  Mary has been with SHRM Public Affairs since 2008, so she has been doing this for a long time.  I reached out to Mary and told her that I wanted to write a piece about her because I thought it was important that the folks who consume our content know who is behind it and helps to make it happen.

In an effort to give Mary some credit for doing a great job with what she does I asked her if I could write a piece about her and post it on the SHRM blog.  At first, she was hesitant and did not want me to do so, but I persevered.  Mary caved and agreed.  We had attempted to carve out 10 to 15 minutes where I could interview her and ask questions about her role.

The interview did not go as planned. It happened on Saturday as the SHRM Annual Conference was getting underway. Mary had done a presentation earlier in the day I tried to catch her after that but there was no time, there. So, we then decided to try to do this in the Blogger’s Lounge, before she had to speak with some folks at SHRM India.

We sat down, and I asked some cursory questions about her role.  As the conversation began, a couple bloggers dropped by to get their credentials. She quickly helped them and came back.  We picked up again for at least two to three minutes, and in walked more people.

Mary being interrupted by Mike Habermanm and Brad Galin.

After a bit we tried to start again, and got derailed – again.  Mary suggested that I send her some questions via email.  Well that didn’t work for me because I wanted to get something posted about Mary and her role during the conference.  I wanted to communicate the way that she manages over 60 bloggers from around the world and all the content we generate at the Annual Conference. What she does is amazing, and I wanted her to know that we recognize that and appreciate it.

So, this is how the post is going to go.  Mary is consumed with the event and it shows in how her days go.  I know, I speak for all the Blogger when I say that we love Mary and appreciate all that she does for us and for all SHRM members.

If you want to know a little bit more, about her role you can check out this post from last year written by fellow blogger Mark Fogel.

ILSHRM Bloggers at SHRM18

 With the SHRM 18 Annual Conference being in “our” backyard, a couple of ILSHRM’s finest have been asked to participate in the SHRM 18 Blog Squad as part of the social media effort promoting the conference leading up to and during the event, those being Dave Ryan, the current ILSHRM State Director and John Jorgensen, a past State Director.

Dave Ryan

John Jorgensen

As part of the effort to introduce them to the folks who do not know them (believe it or not there are a few), Mike VanderVort, a long time social media presence and a friend of ILSHRM, had both on his Drive Thru HR blog talk radio show to discuss their involvement with the Blog Squad and SHRM in general.  This would be a good place to let those who missed them catch up via the links shown below.  In addition, there is also a link to a Facebook post each did to introduce themselves to the other Blog Squad members……

Here's Dave Ryan, aka @DavetheHRCzar on Twitter.  His DTHR interview is found here and his Facebook post:

Next is John Jorgensen, aka @jkjhr on Twitter.  His DTHR interview is here and his Facebook post:  

Please follow both of us on Twitter for our reports during the conference and on the SHRM Blog Posts leading up to the conference.  If you are going to be at SHRM 18, track us down.  It will be worth your while!

- John Jorgensen Past State Director ILSHRM