Happy Holidays! As we close out 2024 and prepare to enter a new year, I am honored to serve the Stark County Human Resource Association (SCHRA) in 2025 as your chapter President. We have an exciting year ahead of us, filled with an exciting list of chapter meeting topics and networking events. I am thrilled to have an awesome board of exceptional HR professionals with me to help make our chapter one of the best!!
With 2024 almost in our rearview mirror, we as HR professionals, as well as those who serve in HR-adjacent roles now have the opportunity to put into practice the valuable lessons we have learned from another challenging year. I was recently reminded that each time our businesses are faced with challenges they consistently turn to HR to help solve them. We are the folks who often bear the burden of creating solutions for the unknown and the undesirable issues that arise in the workplace. And, we know that call to action will not change so we need a network of like-minded professionals who can share best-practices and innovative ways to handle the routine and the new crisis that arise.
I am excited to welcome new members to SCHRA who want to enjoy the benefit of our local SHRM chapter has to offer. I am also extremely grateful to those of you who are returning members of SCHRA. Your continued involvement and investment in this association is what makes us who we are! I truly value your commitment to both the chapter and your personal professional growth and encourage everyone to get involved in 2025! There are numerous ways you can get involved:
· Networking at monthly meetings and sharing your knowledge with others.
· Volunteering to mentor new HR professionals through our College Relations & Young Professional Committee.
· Welcoming new members and guests to meetings and events through our Membership Committee.
· Advancing our Equity and Inclusion efforts through our DEI&B Committee.
· Solving workforce issues and promoting internships and trades through our Workforce Development Committee.
· Sharing your talents in marketing on our Marketing Committee.
· Or simply engaging with us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram (we also want help on our Social Media Committee).
Please let me know if there is something that meets your interests and I will happily make that connection for you! Never hesitate to contact me directly at vdominicknash@yahoo.com. I work for you!
The quality and expertise shared at our meetings, and the opportunity to engage and interact with other HR professionals and HR-adjacent professionals will be invaluable to you and your organization – this is the true value of the local membership!!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS!
Ø First 2025 Chapter Meeting – Our first chapter meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21 (Invitation to follow). Please secure your member rate by joining now!
Ø February Bring-a-Guest Meeting – During our February meeting (2/18) each SCHRA member is welcome to bring a non-SCHRA member as a guest FOR FREE! SCHRA members will be given a special code to be used so that you can share the greatness of SCHRA with a friend!
Ø Legislative Update – normally our Legislative Update is early in the year but due to the new administration our new Legislative Director, Kallen Boyer has suggested we hold until a little later in the year when we see some movement from the Trump/Vance Administration as well as the Ohio Legislature, both of whom have been in lame duck for some time.
Ø Emerging HR Leaders – this year we will be creating programming and events for our young professionals and emerging leaders who may not yet be ready for certification but who are navigating the landscape of the HR profession. We want to help mentor and nurture you because many of us have been there and we have a lot to share. Look for events to meet your needs and seasoned HR folks – look for ways to help pass the baton!!
As you can see, the board has been busy and it’s not even 2025 yet! It is going to be a great year for SCHRA and we NEED you to be a part of it! Join today!
Valarie A. Nash, SHRM-SCP
Chapter President