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RHODE ISLAND SHRM CHAPTER General Overview

Whether you are looking for your first job, have just been promoted to your first management position or are setting your organization’s strategic HR direction, Rhode Island SHRM is the Chapter that provides the credibility, depth and breadth of HR resources that all human resource professionals need. As your career partner, we are dedicated to providing the resources that you, your HR department and your organization need to make critical decisions affecting your organization’s profitability and your most important resource: people.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest association devoted to

human resource management. SHRM exists to: build and sustain partnerships to address people management challenges; provide a community for businesses and organizations to share expertise and create innovative solutions on people management issues; proactively provide thought leadership; and serve as an advocate on concerns facing organizations and the human resource profession. The SHRM Chapter structure was established to provide SHRM members and other HR professionals the opportunity to participate in local activities which support SHRM’s mission and strategic objectives. To remain a Chapter in good standing, a Chapter must meet both minimum membership requirements and service requirements as defined in the SHRM Affiliate Program for Excellence (SHAPE). The current minimum affiliation requirement is 25 SHRM members and the minimum affiliation percentage is 51% (51% of the Chapter membership must be SHRM members). Chapters affiliated prior to January 1, 2004 are initially required to meet the minimum standard of 30% SHRM membership and a minimum of 10 Chapter members. However by 1/1/17, all Chapters must meet the current minimum membership requirements (25 SHRM members) and current affiliation requirements (51%). HOW ARE MANY SHRM CHAPTERS CURRENTLY STRUCTURED? With more than 575 affiliated chapters there are a variety of chapter structures in existence. The most common SHRM affiliate structure however is - one chapter affiliate = one city = one program site

This traditional formation has resulted in the following approximate profile of chapters: • 70% of SHRM chapters are under 100 SHRM members • 65% of SHRM Chapters are under 50 SHRM members

Being a smaller chapter has many benefits, primarily being able to meet the local needs of the membership and developing volunteer opportunities close to home or work. But Rhode Island’s two chapters have noticed that the traditional structure is not working and that a stronger administrative base is needed to execute the quality and depth of services that are expected of a professional association. The competition and redundancy of efforts of the existing two chapters, HRM-RI and SRIHRC has impacted the synergy at the state level (State Council). Being a state with under 800 members, the recommendation is being made to unite, form one chapter and provide combined resources as well as comprehensive programming statewide. WHAT HAVE BEEN THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY OUR TWO CHAPTERS AND THE MEMBERS? Chapter members state that they struggle with:

• Economic issues. Many companies no longer support reimbursement to belong to a chapter. • It’s increasingly difficult to take time away from the office/job due to leaner teams being asked to do

more with less • Some companies reimburse/support SHRM National dues but not dues paid at the local level. • Volunteer resource issues – not enough volunteers to support two chapters with similar initiatives

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• Members are confused – it is not clear to the majority of members the legacy issue as to why two chapters exist. The role of the State Council is not understood.

• They cannot take the time to get to the meetings which are far away, scheduled for an inconvenient day and/or time or volunteer for opportunities that are not convenient.

Chapter leaders state that they struggle with:

• Financial resource issues - Chapter dues are too impactful to the members • Duplication/Competition issues - Both chapters are competing for the same resources, i.e.,

sponsors, speakers, venues, even members

Chapter leaders ask: • How can resources be increased without losing the more personal interaction? • How do we continue to grow without sacrificing the central services that has been created? • How can quality programing be provided and return on investment to the membership?

ALTERNATIVE ASSOCIATION STRUCTURE FOR CONSIDERATION – COMBINING HRM-RI AND SHRM RHODE ISLAND HR CHAPTER (SRIHRC) INTO ONE ORGANIZATION After speaking with several successful SHRM leaders who have created alternative structures in other states that are successful and drawing on the experiences of other successful associations, this summary presents a realigned structure that is intended to address many of the concerns that have been heard by both memberships. By adopting this structure, the intent is to:

• Merge members of the existing two chapters into one organization that will pool resources • Incorporate the State Council into the same organization • Have ONE affiliated chapter, one chapter number, one charter. • Submit One SHAPE that includes activities across the state. • Increased outreach to the at-large population • Increased retention because members will no longer have to decide between competing meetings. • Provide both local and expanded networking and leadership opportunities • Expand volunteer base to meet the mission, reducing duplication of effort and volunteer burnout • Focus locally on one or two goals resulting in overall wider achievements for all • Provide multiple programming options for members to choose from • Experience united visibility in legislative and media activities with more successful results • Increase employment listings from employers wanting a broader reach • Increase vendor revenue from sponsors wanting a broader reach • Pool financial resources to be able to share administrative support • Enhance the strengths that both Chapters bring to the new entity • Put the members first. • It’s not about the current leadership and their roles. It’s about creating a stronger overall

engagement experience for the membership • Be better together; be a transformational group looking ahead to a better future and a legacy

Providing members with easier and more streamlined access to improved services is one of the primary reasons for the change. By combining financial and volunteer resources from both chapters and the State Council, the result will be a greater variety of member services and engagement opportunities. WHAT DOES THE ‘NEW’ REALIGNED CHAPTER LOOK LIKE?

Although the terminology may be slightly different, you will see that the resulting ‘new’ chapter keeps the best of both the State Council and the chapters. It provides a broad volunteer governance structure, resources for delivery of commonly-used services and central administration functions. Yet it preserves the local membership meeting, community services and special needs of Rhode Island.

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The Affiliated Chapter - The sum of the geographic scopes of the member service areas (the state of Rhode Island) is the new affiliated Chapter – where services are delivered and members are engaged. Membership – Individuals from both chapters will become members of the newly combined group and be able to access all of the services that are offered to chapter members regardless of their prior designated chapter. HRM-RI will join with SRIHRC and a new Chapter number will issued by SHRM. Only one other state (Hawaii) has combined chapters and State Councils into one State Chapter and that was several years ago. We are the second to do this in the nation and we’re very excited to be part of this groundbreaking initiative. The Volunteer Structure – The Governance Boards of the State Council and the two Chapters are

combined into one cohesive leadership team .

New Audiences - In other areas of the state, there are HR Professionals interested in being

associated with a SHRM Chapter but geographical and cultural barriers prevent them from attending meetings or from participating on a volunteer basis.

What’s in it for me, the member?

Enhanced opportunity to build/enhance your network at meetings with peers, HR professionals and companies in your community.

This will create a network for you to tap into when gathering information on how other local organizations handle various human resource situations, procedures, policies, etc.

Local professional development opportunities to improve your HR competencies and advance yourself professionally.

Up-to-date information on pending federal and state legislation that may impact your company’s operations.

HR generalists and specialists who provide information that might otherwise be difficult and/or expensive to obtain.

Contemporary, successful practices to make your organization more efficient, increase

employee commitment, and help line managers carry out business strategy.

Detailed, updated information on state and local labor market conditions and issues.

The opportunity to obtain PHR/SPHR/GPHR recertification credits for attending chapter programming that qualifies for HR Certification Institute credits.

Leadership skills development opportunities. You can take on a volunteer leadership role in a local chapter, for example.

WHAT ARE THE KEY COMPONENT ABOUT THE REALIGNED CHAPTER?

Affiliate Chapter Operations – Bylaws The affiliate bylaws must be in compliance with SHRM bylaws and other affiliate requirements. They will acknowledge that the statewide entity serves as both a chapter and a state council (combines standard responsibilities and eliminates duplicative roles) Accounting There is a single set of financial statements consolidated to include all activities in the statewide chapter and one budget.

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SHRM Support CFSP (Chapter Financial Support Program) is paid to the affiliated chapter based on one Membership list; affiliate chapter manages the use of those funds through the chapter budget process.

Governance The State Director is Chief Elected Officer and focuses on statewide strategies. In addition, there is the Director-Elect that has responsibilities similar to a Chapter President and is operations focused. There will be a Secretary and Treasurer

Dues The newly combined Chapter will not charge yearly membership dues to belong to the chapter. It is believed that SHRM’s CFSP will continue to provide a modest but steady revenue stream for the chapter which allows the member equal access to all services in the chapter. Additional revenue

will result from sponsors and other activities, such as the bi-annual Tri-State Conference and the RI Annual Legislative Conference.

Branding – Goal - two-fold:

Have a brand that is united and consistent

Become transformational leaders and be open to new ways to serve HR professionals within the state of Rhode Island.

Name -There is one inclusive chapter name: SHRM Rhode Island (to be confirmed with SHRM

National) Visual Depiction of Your Realigned Chapter – The chapter will have a greater geographic

spread and will be considered one inclusive area. The SRIHRC logo will be considered the state-wide recognized brand going forward for the Chapter.

Website – the SHRM State Council site will serve as the principal website for our state. Program Promotion - Monthly calendar of chapter events shall include not only the programs

intended for chapter wide attendance but other programming that may be of interest to the HR Professional.

Legal Considerations –

Is this technically a merger? No - one current affiliated chapter will be realigned to include the

other Chapter membership. The individual memberships of the other former affiliated chapter, HRM-RI will be transferred to the realigned chapter and will be disaffiliated and dissolved and assets transferred to the chapter.

What does the chapter who is dissolving need to do? The Board shall follow the recommended

steps to notify SHRM of the change. SHRM will reassign the members to the realigned chapter. The HRM-RI Board will take the necessary steps required by state or federal law to end the corporation.

IN SUMMARY…… By being part of this exciting new Chapter, you demonstrate your commitment to the profession and your own continuing professional development. Know that the new chapter is dedicated to serving you, the human resource professional, no matter at what level and function you occupy. The Chapter will also continue to serve as an important resource for you, the professional with others in the professional in other companies that work closely with HR or handle HR issues.