Musings from An Outgoing State Director

Dave & Donna Mucking it up.

Today, the 17^th Annual Illinois SHRM Conference begins with a pre-conference session and a board meeting, late afternoon.  I am excited to attend. I am stoked to see all of my HR friends from around the country  world. I can’t wait to hear Steve Browne and Cy Wakeman speak.  I get to visit with my friend and presenter Renee Robson (Yeah, she is from down under – they do HR there to.)   I get to present a session with my HR Speaking partner Donna Rogers.  

I get to hold a meeting with all the wonderful volunteers who have supported me for the last year and nine months.  This is great! But at the end of the meeting, on Sunday and then again on Tuesday, I will likely be wrought with emotion, as you see my time as State Director is nearly done.   I have talked with many folks who have left this role both in Illinois and other states and they all experience this; the separation anxiety – the thought of leaving.

Then there are all the things I didn’t get done, one could call them failures or just lofty goals.

Next, I think of all of the people and organizations that I have got to touch in this role and it has been a gift.

Dave & Connie at ILSHRM

I am sad my time is coming to close, it has been a true pleasure to get to serve in this role.

To my predecessor Connie Wolgemuth, you are such a wonderful leader, and smart woman I could not have asked for anyone better in preparing me for the role.  You are awesome!

To my successor Becky Krueger, I am so proud of you in all that you have done to date, all that you continue to do and all of the successes you will have as the incoming State Director. You are awesome and I can't wait to see where you take ILSHRM.

My wife Sheila and Becky riding in the back 

of the disco lit Uber in Miami

And to Becky’s successor good luck, you have a marvelous mentor who will prepare you well for upcoming role.

For all of my life I have been an Eagles fan. One of their last recordings was Out of Eden. There was a song on album titled “It’s Your World Now.”  It is a beautiful song written and sung by founding band member Glen Frey.  In the song Glen talks about how his time is over, sadly that came all too soon.  The lyrics speak to me as to anyone who is “moving on” so I will leave you with them – and if you haven’t heard the song go listen to it.

Dave, Steve and John at VLS … a long time ago.

A perfect day, the sun is sinking low
As evening falls, the gentle breezes blow
The time we shared went by so fast
Just like a dream, we knew it couldn't last
But I'd do it all again
If I could, somehow
But I must be leaving soon
It's your world now

[Chorus]
It's your world now
My race is run
I'm moving on
Like the setting sun
No sad goodbyes
No tears allowed
You'll be alright
It's your world now

[Verse 2]
Even when we are apart
You'll always be in my heart
When dark clouds appear in the sky
Remember true love never dies
But first a kiss, one glass of wine
Just one more dance while there's still time
My one last wish, someday, you'll see
How hard I tried and how much you meant to me

Find me at the conference I am the guy, off in the distance, who will be bawling uncontrollably on Sunday and again on Tuesday.  

Two last thought... John Jorgenson (the Godfatha of ILSHRM) thanks for getting me involved with this organization.  And Lori Maher-McCombs thank you for joining our team and doing what you do, oh so well!

--Dave Ryan ISC State Director

ILSHRM - HR people helping HR people

Cathy Plouzek

Hey ya’ll!  As our Blogger in Chief – Dave Ryan so eloquently put it…he has a new boss at ILSHRM!  The torch has been passed, the guard has been changed!  Welcome to another year.  I am really excited about this new “gig”.  We’ve got an enthusiastic team ofHR professionals  on the board and we are eager to get started.  Before I get into what’s new with ILSHRM, allow me to formerly introduce myself….

I’ve been an HR Pro for over 25 years.  Yes, for those of you counting, I started in HR when I was 10. In addition to my new ILSHRM responsibilities,   I just started a new “paid gig” as IntegratedHR Solutions Advisor for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.  

At the 2008
Chicago marathon. 

I’ve also served on Chapter and State Council boards for… let’s just say, a LONG time.  At the Chapter level, I’ve held positions of SHRM Foundation Chair, Membership Chair, President Elect, President, Past President, and Treasurer.   I joined the State Council board in 2010 as Conference Co-Chair.  Yes, I’ve no doubt drank the SHRM Kool-Aid!  

In my spare time, I run marathons for fun.  My husband and I enjoy hitting the pavement on our 26.2 mile runs for some “quality” couple time.  Who said running marathons is not FUN.

In his last post, our Blogger in Chief subtly suggested I use this space to share a few comments about our organization and my plans for the next two years.   For me, ILSHM is HR people helping HR people.  A few years ago, someone asked me why I volunteer for ILSHRM.  My answer was – NETWORKING, NETWORKING, and NETWORKING!  The friendships that I have made (both personally and professionally) while serving on the local and state boards are “second to none”.  It is a very comforting feeling to know that anytime I have a question or a challenge or a new project to tackle, that help can be found by phoning a colleague, sending an email, tweeting, Facebook posts, making a LinkedIn connection…  the list is endless.  That’s what I want us to focus on – building our ILSHRM network.  We have over 11,000 HR Pros/SHRM members in the State of Illinois – let’s get connected! 

On Sunday, January 27^th, the ILSHRM core board will hold our Strategy and Planning meeting where we will refine our vision, mission, and strategic priorities.  I’ve also asked the board to come prepared to discuss 3 chapter/at large and 1 state council initiative(s) that they want to tackle in 2013.   These initiatives will be recorded on a scorecard with deadlines and deliverables to help keep us on track.  On Monday, January 28th, volunteer leaders from all over the State will join us at our Annual State Leadership Conference.  The agenda for this conference is packed with workshops and breakout sessions to help us connect with each other and share best practices.  We will also present our scorecard and ask for feedback.

Well, that is a little about me, ILSHRM and a glance at where we are headed in the next couple of years.  Now, I’d love to hear from you.  What is ILSHRM to you?  Contact me on Twitter, LinkedIn or email  Share your ideas, stories, goals – and let’s get connected! 

-Cathy Plouzek - State Director ISC SHRM

New Leadership at ILSHRM

Hey y'all, as the Blogger In-Chief for Illinois SHRM, I am happy to report I have a new boss.  No, no, no --it's a good thing. It is not like the stuff many of us deal with on a day to day basis where we have bosses come and go.  This is a planned, orderly transition.  It is the Change of Guard.  Donna Rogers has completed her two-year term as State Director and passed the torch on to Cathy Plouzek.  While you don't find Cathy out here in the blogospher yacking about this or that, she does have a presence out here in what I will call the HR Social Space as you can find Cathy on LinkedIn and on Twitter as well.

Cathy lives in the Peoria area and has been active in the Heart of Illinois SHRM Chapter for many years.

I will, as subtly as I can, suggest to Cathy that she could take some of this space and share a few comments about our organization and just where she plans on taking us. So for the meantime consider yourself informed of our leadership changes.

And as an FYI Donna Rogers has taken a position on the SHRM Mac Council, I guess I need to get her to write a post about that!.

-Dave Ryan Director of Social Media ISC SHRM