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Central Iowa Society for Human Resource Management Announces the 2024 Board of Directors

carl@capturemarketinggroup.com (Carl Lingen) — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 18:27:00 GMT

DES MOINES, IA — The Central Iowa Society for Human Resource Management (CI-SHRM) is pleased to announce our 2024 board of directors.

Officers

Megan Bohnenkamp, President - IMT Insurance

Kelly Kuennen, President - Elect, Sogeti

Donna Bower, Past President

Katie Fischer, Secretary/Treasurer - Iowa Bankers Association

Directors

Charlie Kiesling, VP Membership - Access Systems

Samantha Coulson, VP Programs & Education - Graham Construction Company

Chelsea Reagan, VP College Relations - Wellabe

Debbie Ladehoff, VP Government Affairs/Legislative - Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company

“Our board of directors is comprised of a dedicated team of leaders committed to connecting people, leading change and impacting business” said Lane Till, Chapter Administrator of CI-SHRM. “We are excited for the year ahead, and the opportunity to further our mission through the experience and determination of the board.”

The CI-SHRM board of directors includes eight individuals, with the purpose of providing guidance in the areas of organizational sustainability, growth, public awareness, and member programming.

To see the full list of the CI-SHRM 2024 board of directors, please visit our website .

Central Iowa SHRM Awarded For Elevating Human Resources, Improving Workplaces

Tue, 30 May 2023 14:17:22 GMT

DES MOINES, IA — SHRM recently awarded Central Iowa SHRM (CI-SHRM) its prestigious EXCEL Platinum Award for the chapter’s accomplishments in 2022.

The EXCEL award is given to state councils and chapters to recognize major accomplishments, strategic activities, and tactical initiatives that elevate the profession of human resources.

“SHRM’s impact on the world of work is due to the dedication and efforts of our chapters and state councils like Central Iowa SHRM. The Platinum EXCEL Award is not only a celebration of the great work done by CI-SHRM—it’s also recognition of their focus and determination to cause the effect to make great workplaces,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, president, and chief executive officer of SHRM. “Their HR leadership is exemplary.”

The EXCEL Award can be earned at four levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Each level has a prescribed set of requirements and accomplishments that must be met. CI-SHRM will receive recognition in SHRM publications and at conferences, a logo to display on its website, and information to share with its members about the significance of this award.

“I am immensely proud of the current and past CI-SHRM leadership team and volunteers,” said Donna Bower, SHRM-SCP, president of CI-SHRM. “The prestigious Platinum EXCEL Award is the highest level of this award, meaning a chapter offers at least four strategic initiatives to advance and support the HR profession. Making this happen and was no easy feat.”

“CI-SHRM is committed to providing meaningful programs, professional growth and development opportunities, engaging networking events, business acumen, and a plethora of other services to our members and workplaces alike,” Bower continued. “In 2022, our chapter made great strides towards achieving our mission of Connecting People, Leading Change, and Impacting Business , and will continue to make this our goal in the years to come.”

For more information about Central Iowa SHRM, visit www.ci-shrm.org .

Media: For more information, contact Edward Burke, at Edward.Burke@shrm.org or 703-535-6036.

About Central Iowa SHRM

Central Iowa SHRM is an affiliate chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, dedicated to Connecting People, Leading Change, and Impacting Business.

About SHRM

SHRM creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 325,000 members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 235 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org .

Central Iowa Society for Human Resource Management Announces the 2023 Board of Directors

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 16:46:26 GMT

DES MOINES, IA — The Central Iowa Society for Human Resource Management (CI-SHRM) is pleased to announce our 2023 board of directors.

Officers

Donna Bower, President

Megan Bohnenkamp, President-Elect – IMT Insurance

Debbie Ladehoff, Secretary/Treasurer – Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company

Katie Fischer, Past President – Iowa Bankers Association

Directors

Chelsea McCrum, VP Emerging Professional & College Outreach – Carrier Access, Inc.

Charlie Kiesling, VP Membership – Access Systems

Stephen Smith, VP People Analytics – Reworc

Kelly Kuennen, VP Programs – Sogeti

Marvin DeJear, VP Workforce Readiness & DEI – Greater Des Moines Partnership

“Our board of directors is comprised of a dedicated team of leaders committed to connecting people, leading change and impacting business” said Madison Mills, Chapter Administrator of CI-SHRM. “We are excited for the year ahead, and the opportunity to further our mission through the experience and determination of the board.”

The CI-SHRM board of directors includes nine individuals, with the purpose of providing guidance in the areas of organizational sustainability, growth, public awareness, and member programming.

To see the full list of the CI-SHRM 2023 board of directors, please visit our website .

Central Iowa SHRM Releases 2023 Partner Opportunities

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 17:19:06 GMT

NEW Vendor Partner membership now available!

Space is limited. Sponsorships are on a first come, first serve basis.

W ith a new year approaching, now is the perfect time to connect with HR Professionals from across Central Iowa!

As a direct affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Central Iowa SHRM is able to provide access and professional opportunities to over 400 HR Professionals in our area.

We are intentional about supporting and developing the HR professional, equipping them to create better workplaces for a better world. As a local starting point for networking, information, and professional development, we look for continued support from our partners to enhance the excellence of Human Resources in all aspects - including DEI, events, trends, solutions and more.

Your financial support of CI-SHRM is not only an investment in the HR profession, but an opportunity to connect and grow your organization through a targeted market.

Through your partnership as a sponsor or advertiser, we look forward to working together to grow the HR field! Central Iowa SHRM is excited to announce the release of our 2023 Sponsor Marketing Kit, and has restructured several partnership opportunities for you to take advantage of!

Plus, check out our new Vendor Partner membership option!

We know that our new dual membership structure will not work for everyone. That is why we created a new membership option specifically for vendors! If you are not currently an HR practitioner but would like to be part of Central Iowa SHRM and connect with our membership, we encourage you to join as a Vendor Partner. Vendor Partners receive the same membership benefits as regular members but are not required to be a member of SHRM National. To learn more about our vendor membership option, please check out the marketing kit below!

The Need for DEIB in Our Workplaces

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 16:35:45 GMT

F ocusing on issues of DEIB can help organizations understand the needs of the changing demographics and diverse workforce to attract, retain and grow talent.

On August 3rd, Central Iowa SHRM (CI-SHRM) partnered with Greater Des Moines Partnership and Iowa Bankers Association to host a thought-provoking roundtable discussion around the very important topics of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).

Sanjita Pradhan, Vice President of DEI at CI-SHRM and Senior Consultant of DEI at Cook Ross, facilitated the discussion, allowing the approximately 80 participants to have conversations at their tables and share interesting comments and take-aways with the full group.

The need for DEIB and the passion from our participants was remarkable. Attendees expressed the importance for these discussions and the need for a space where individuals can have continuous learning around DEIB, while also encouraging those in leadership roles to attend these sessions to lead DEIB authentically.

Following the roundtable discussion, CI-SHRM and partners hosted a multicultural reception with the purpose of celebrating diversity and giving attendees the opportunity to meet with diverse individuals. Thank you to the approximately 150 people who joined us!

CI-SHRM is committed to elevating the HR profession by supporting and developing the HR professional, equipping them to create better workplaces for a better world. We understand the need for Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DEIB) as a business strategy and competitive advantage for your organizations. We are committed to bringing information, education, and resources to our members to help them in their journey of DEIB. People are at the heart and center of our organizations. If we don't have people, we don't have a business. According to a poll done by Gallup only about 36% or our global workforc e is actively engaged. According to this article from Forbes , “Pay is important, and it must be fair, but two-thirds of the reasons people actually left jobs in 2021 were due to issues related to their engagement and their overall well-being.”

Focusing on issues of DEIB can help organizations understand the needs of the changing demographics and diverse workforce to attract, retain and grow talent. By being a dual member of CI-SHRM and SHRM, you can have access to a wealth of information, knowledge, webinars and learning opportunities. Please feel free to check out these amazing resources at SHRM and consider becoming more involved with CI-SHRM to help us continue providing gr eat ideas and programs around DEIB.

Article written by Sanjita Pradhan (CI-SHRM VP of DEI & Cook Ross Senior Consultant of DEI)

Cause the Effect

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 15:15:52 GMT

Article submitted by Debbie Ladehoff, CI-SHRM Past President

Wow, the SHRM national conference in New Orleans was an amazing, if not slightly overwhelming event that provided HR professionals from around the world an opportunity to network, learn, grow, and recharge. The conference was loaded with inspirational and motivational keynote speakers and breakout presentations covering every topic from leadership to empathy, benefits, culture, hybrid and remote workers, and so much more.

The theme of the conference was Cause the Effect, which really struck home for me. Many of the presenters pointed out the importance of taking care of ourselves, especially after the tremendous challenges we’ve faced during the pandemic that’s left many of us feeling exhausted and running on empty. In our roles as HR professionals we are in a unique position to “cause an effect” on our teams, in our organizations, and in our community, which we can’t do if we’re burning ourselves out.

Keynote speaker Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of workplace behavior change tech company Thrive, addressed the topic of “Shifting Mental Health Awareness into Action in the Workplace”. Huffington said HR teams can help support their workforce through " microsteps ," or science-backed actions that are "too small to fail" and can lead to lasting change. She spoke on the need for sleep, good nutrition, and healthy choices, plus the Smartphone addition that afflicts too many in today’s society. I encourage you to read the full article on Arianna Huffington’s presentation, which can be found on the SHRM website.

[SHRM and Thrive have partnered to urge business leaders to support employee mental health and well-being. To join the pledge or learn more, visit pledge.thriveglobal.com .]

Taking care of yourself and investing in your personal growth and development is so beneficial in helping address stress and burnout. What’s something you can do for yourself this week? Can you make time in your busy schedule to do something that brings you joy? Block time on your calendar for you; you’ll feel better for it.

Through SHRM and Central Iowa SHRM you have a number of opportunities and resources to get connected to learn and grow as an HR professional, so you can cause the effect in your organization. You can count on SHRM to stay up-to-date on relevant topics, breaking news, and legislative changes that impact our businesses at the national level. CI-SHRM is a great resource to get you connected and keep you informed at the local level.

We hope you’ll join us at an upcoming chapter event and get registered to attend the Iowa SHRM Conference Oct. 5 through 7 at the Hyatt Regency in Coralville, IA, where you can Unmask Your Potential.

Take care and Be Well!

Central Iowa SHRM Awarded For Elevating Human Resources

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 16:01:54 GMT

DES MOINES, IA – May 12, 2022 — SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management) recently awarded Central Iowa SHRM (CI-SHRM) its prestigious EXCEL Platinum Award for the CI-SHRM’s accomplishments in 2021.

The EXCEL award is given to state councils and chapters to recognize major accomplishments, strategic activities, and tactical initiatives that elevate the profession of human resources.

“SHRM’s impact on the world of work is due to the dedication and efforts of our chapters and state councils like Central Iowa SHRM “The Platinum EXCEL Award is not only a celebration of the great work done by CI-SHRM, it’s also recognition of their focus and determination to cause the effect to make great workplaces”, said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, president, and chief executive officer of SHRM. “Their HR leadership is exemplary.”

In 2021, Central Iowa SHRM worked consistently to provide our members with ongoing networking, learning and development opportunities. Some of our programming and accomplishments include six chapter meetings, legal & legislative focused webinar series, COVID-19 related webinars, study groups, toolkits and more.

For more information about Central Iowa SHRM visit www.ci-shrm.org .

Media: For more information, contact Edward Burke, at Edward.Burke@shrm.org or 703-535-6036.

About Central Iowa SHRM

Central Iowa SHRM is an affiliate chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, dedicated to elevating the HR profession by supporting and developing the HR professional, equipping them to create better workplaces for a better world.

About SHRM

SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today's evolving workplaces. With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org and on Twitter @SHRM.

After the Pandemic: How Future Ready Are You?

Tue, 10 May 2022 15:36:24 GMT

Are you a business owner turning down business due to not having the workforce to accept new business?

Are you an employer struggling to find talent?

Are you an employee tired of pulling more than your weight because your business is understaffed? Perhaps you are working extra shifts to ensure there is coverage to serve your customers/patients?

With the current unemployment rate at 3%, you may be asking yourself: Where can we find employees? What can be done to fill the void?

On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, Central Iowa SHRM presented members with the 2022 State Legislative Update Panel for Session 1 of a 5-part Legal & Legislative Series. The panel consisted of Mollie Ross Vice President of Operations at the Technology Association of Iowa; Andrea Woodard, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy at the Greater Des Moines Partnership; Dustin Miller, Attorney at the Nyemaster Goode, PC. and Executive Director of the Iowa Chamber Alliance; Joe Murphy, Executive Director at the Iowa Business Council; Brad Hartkopf, Director of Public Policy for the Association of Business & Industry. The panel provided an overview of the 2022 legislative session that ended recently

The panel discussed multiple ways the state is aligning to attract businesses and people to our state and retaining them. Plans to reform Iowa’s tax code, changes to the unemployment insurance program & reemployment opportunities, access to childcare, a focus on maintaining an invaluable budget and further developing the Iowa economy are all valuable components in finding employees for all of the job openings in the state.

The panel also discussed another way for employers to find bodies to fill their job vacancies, which requires tapping into our homegrown talent. One way to do this is by connecting with high school students, establishing meaningful career connections, strengthening job readiness and introducing high school students to various career opportunities while allowing income to be earned while they learn. In Iowa, an initiative encouraging this started years ago with our governor’s office after the state received a grant from the nonpartisan organization, The National Governors Association. Shortly thereafter, the Future Ready Iowa Summit was held in 2016, the initiative was launched in 2017 by Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and in 2018, the Future Ready Iowa Act was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. This initiative provides career opportunities and resources for students and adults to land a rewarding job and to have 70% of Iowan’s access to “education and training beyond high school by 2025 to insure we have the number of skilled workers necessary to match our projected job skill levels in coming years” Arend (2022).

Business Owners/Employers: Things you can offer

Apprenticeships: Many Iowa employers have stepped up to the plate by providing apprenticeships. In fact, Iowa is a national leader in Registered Apprenticeship Programs. In effort to continue to drive this, the state has increased investments into growing these apprenticeships in high schools throughout the state. Should you have interest in finding more information on apprenticeship programs go to: https://www.earnandlearniowa.gov/

Mentorship Programs: The Iowa Mentoring Program is a statewide networking and professional development opportunity connecting students in high-demand fields with professionals in the workforce. To find out more about the Future Ready Iowa Virtual Mentoring program, visit: https://futurereadyiowamentoring.chronus.com/p/p1/about?

Internship Programs : An internship allows entry-level and day-to-day experience and knowledge for a developing professional in a specific career field. Often these programs have both an academic and work-experience objectives. Employers can work to design a successful internship program by ensuring there are objective goals paring the

academic learning objectives to the organizational needs. Many colleges offer internship programs. Students focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) can find internship opportunities with Iowa Economic Development at the following link: https://www.iowaeda.com/grow/stem-internships/

Externship Programs: While multiple Iowa based companies foster externship programs, yet these programs seem to get less coverage than the previous listed programs. In fact, many of you may be wondering what is an externship program? These short-term training opportunities allow employee to be immersed in the workplace providing hands-on experience. Externships can be offered to students and high-school teachers.

When teachers participate in the externship, often these are during the summer break and are with a local organization. The benefits are multifaceted. Allowing the teacher to learn the job and organization, potential skills to be gained and how the organization welcomes, is inclusive, and trains new employees can be helpful. When the externship programs are successful, the teacher leaves the summer program as an employer-advocate and a potential recruitment specialist who provides students with real world examples. For educators looking for externship opportunities science, mathematics, engineering, or technology click: https://iowastem.org/externships

Growth Opportunities for your current employees: A frequent occurrence when new managers are promoted, they struggle with their new role as they often go from being a peer to supervising their peers, being expected to know how to supervise and manage. However, providing them with opportunities to grow, learn and develop leadership

skills consider recommending they become a certified work-based supervisor for eligible a high school student.

Becoming a work-based learning program supervisor certification provides a 15-hour course, instruction related to fundamentals in career education, training tips, and performance evaluation guidance. The program rules will soon be established. To find out more about work-based learning follow: https://educateiowa.gov/adult-careercomm-college/career-and-technical-education/iowa-quality-cte/work-based-learning

Invite elected officials to tour your worksite: By engaging elected officials to see and witness the ways your organization impacts the local economy, a valuable partnership can be forged.

Employees: Things you can do

Encourage the high school students in your life to find industries of interest and to engage with employers in these industries. The old adage, “you don’t know what you don’t know” applies here. Many high school students have limited exposure to the vast amount of career opportunities and industries in their local communities. Within each

industry are multiple career paths to be considered, many of which are not industry specific.

Remember, a four-year degree and college is not for everyone…and provide acceptance with this. For many high school students, they are expected to graduate from high school and move on to college, knowing exactly what they want to be when they grow up. This expectation can be especially daunting for the high school students who have

had limited exposure to career options or suspect that college may not be for them. The national dropout rate for freshman college students. According to Education Data Initiative updated on November 22, 2021, in the United States, the overall undergraduate dropout rate is 40%. Sadly, a whopping 30% of this dropout rate is from freshman college students dropping out before their sophomore year. (Hanson, 2021)

As an Iowan, HR professional, and as a mother who values the education system, it is my hope that engaging and rewarding jobs are found, employers fill their job vacancies, and we continue to find ways to draw people to Iowa and retain them.

REFERENCES:

Arend, M (2022, May) Governor Kim Reynolds On Iowa’s Next Chapter from Site Selection magazine.

About the Future Ready Iowa Initiative

Earn While you Learn with Registered Apprenticeship you can take your skills with you anywhere .

Future Ready Iowa Fact Sheet

Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.0 Percent in April, UI Claims at Their Lowest Level Since 1973

Preparing a Future Ready Iowa / Office of the Governor

Welcome to Future Ready Iowa Virtual Mentoring

What Are the Benefits of interns and Why Do Companies Hire Them? By the Indeed Editorial Team (May 6, 2022)

Hanson, M (2021, November22). College Dropout Rates from EducationData.org,

Get Involved with Central Iowa SHRM!

Sun, 01 May 2022 16:18:38 GMT

Are you looking to boost your resume, meet new people or learn more about the HR Profession?

Consider getting involved with Central Iowa SHRM! Being active in our chapter is a great way to make connections and grow as HR professional. Ways to get involved include joining a committee, volunteering for an event and MORE. To learn more about volunteering, please click here.