A 1991 Pinnacle Award ChapterA 2008 Superior Merit Award Chapter

SHRM Foundation - Chapter ChampionMonthly Newsletter

September 2009S E P T E M B E R P R O G R A M

Look What'sInside!

Social NetworkingSubcommittee ............ 2

Legislative Update ....... 2

September MeetingSponsors ................... 3

Minimum Wage PostersAvailable ...................... 3

From the President ........... 4

HR Leadership Classof 2009 ..................... 5

It’s Official: 2009 ‘Top 5’Spectrum AwardWinners Announced .... 6

Wellness Spotlight ....... 7

Workforce Readiness .... 8

Update from OurStudent Chapters ...... 9

Certification Commitee .... 10

Treasurer’s Report ..... 10

Upcoming Events ....... 11

Chapter Chatter ............. 11

One Day ConferencePlanning for 2010 .. 11

CRHRA will kick-off the 2009-2010 pro-gram year on Wednesday, September 9,with a presentation on performance man-agement that is all about strategy, talentdevelopment and engagement. DianeLustenader, SPHR, CCP, GRP will sharelatest thinking and successful approachesto performance management system de-sign, implementation and evaluation thatlead to a comprehensive approach to em-ployee talent over his/her career.

Effective performance is an essential toolfor high-performing organizations, but tocreate these systems, takes HR, employeeand line management collaboration – in away that changes perspectives from thesesystems as a “necessary evil” to a “high-value process.” While typical goals of per-formance management are to keep thelines of communication open betweenmanager and employee to effectively meetthe needs of the business and to providean avenue for employee development,there is no “one size fits all” system thatwill work in every culture or industry. Par-ticipants will receive a process design toolwith strategic questions and guidance tocustomize for use in their own workplaces. The presentation will incorporateselected findings from academia, SHRMand WorldatWork research and include adiscussion of using technology and auto-mation for aspects of performance man-agement.

Diane is the founder and President of LakeAssociates, Inc. and has over 25 years ofexperience in the areas of human re-

sources, project management, strategicplanning and training. Before foundingLake Associates, Inc. in January 1994, Di-

ane served as top HR execu-tive in the Americas forYaskawa Electric America,Inc., with HR responsibility foremployees in North, Centraland South America. Diane,strongly grounded in all areasof human resources, has spe-

cialist skills in the areas of compensation,employment law compliance, and trainingincluding workplace investigations, affir-mative action, HR effectiveness audits, HRmeasurement, policy design and hand-book creation. Diane is a frequent speakerat programs throughout the US andCanada for various organizations includ-ing SHRM state councils and chapters,IQPC, MHEDA, Commercial Law Leagueof America, Chicago & New York PayrollAssociations and the Western Alberta Cen-tre for Management Development. She isa past president of the Capital RegionHuman Resource Association and pastfounding co-chair of the HR ExecutiveBriefing Series, founding chair of theCRHRA Salary & Benefit Survey andfounding co-chair of the CRHRA HRLeadership program.

Performance Management asthe Ultimate Talent Tool

DianeLustenader

This program has been submitted for 1.0recertification credit hour toward PHR and

SPHR recertification through the Human ResourceCertification Institute (HRCI). For more informationabout certification or recertification, please visit the

HRCI homepage at www.hrci.org.

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Harry Hayes

2009 Legislative Update

Paterson Signs GroupHealth Insurance Bills

On July 29, Governor Paterson signed two bills that re-late to the provision of group health insurance by em-ployers:

• Expansion of COBRA coverage for Employees to 36Months: This law will increase the period for employ-ees who lose their jobs to continue their health insur-ance under COBRA from 18 to 36 months. Underthe federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconcili-ation Act (COBRA), workers wholose their jobs can continue purchas-ing group health insurance providedby their former employers’ grouphealth plans for limited periods oftime under certain circumstancesfor themselves and their families.Federal COBRA generally appliesto employers with 20 or more em-ployees, while the State’s “mini-CO-BRA” law requires that smaller employers – thosewho have fewer than 20 employees – offer the samecontinuation coverage. The bill signed by the Gover-nor will apply to all New York employers regardlessof size.

• Insure Dependents through Age 29: This law requiresinsurers to allow unmarried children through age 29– regardless of financial dependence – to be coveredunder a parent’s group health insurance policy.Young adults ages 19 to 29 represent 31 percent ofuninsured New Yorkers. Under the new law, premi-ums will be paid for by families, not employers, andwould cost less because coverage is under group poli-cies rather than individual policies. The law also re-quires insurers to offer employers an option to pur-chase coverage that includes young adults as depen-dents in family policies through age 29.

The COBRA extension law takes effect July 1, 2009 andthe age 29 dependent change takes effect September 1,2009 and apply to all contracts of insurance issued, re-newed, modified, amended or altered after those effec-tive dates.

For more information contact Harry Hayes athhayes@jaegerflynn.com or 373-0069 x.128.

Public Relations Social Networking Subcommittee

Want to Help AdvanceOur Profession?

The Public Relations Committee is in full force pro-moting the chapter, our profession, and our mem-bers in the local media. As we expand our goals,we are seeking volunteers to help us meet our shortand long term objectives of advancing the humanresource profession. Specifically, the Public Rela-tions Social Networking Subcommittee is respon-sible for ensuring CRHRA events and news are re-leased to regional publications, media outlets as wellas popular social networking sites such asFacebook, Linked-In, and Twitter in an effort toheighten awareness of what CRHRA and HR Pro-fessionals do for our community. This will continueto be a big part of the committee’s responsibilitiesin line with our goal for our chapter and our mem-bership to be considered THE destination for hu-man resource expertise. We want all local media tothink of CRHRA every time they have an HR re-lated editorial spot or business concern related toemployee relations, policy changes, generational dif-ferences impact, changing to a 4 day workweek,etc.

If you are interested in advancing the way our com-munity views our association and profession andits impact on area businesses and legislators, pleasejoin the Public Relations Committee. Please con-tact Moira Fitzgerald, Public Relations Committeeat 641-5629 or mfitzger@cdphp.com.

Experience our brand of better banking.

Offer Capital Communications Federal Credit Union as a free employee benefi t.Call Steve Fehervari at 458-2195 ext. 3205 or e-mail us at busdev@capcomfcu.org.

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September Meeting SponsorsCapital Communications

Federal Credit UnionAccuStaff

Locally founded in 1979, AccuStaff of Albany has beenserving the needs of the Capital Region business com-munity for over 30 successful years. Owned and oper-ated by Heather Rafferty, AccuStaff has been an inte-gral part of the staffing function for local companies ina wide array of job categories in the clerical, administra-tive, computer, production and laboring fields. On anygiven day, AccuStaff employs 200+ workers through-out the Capital Region, making us one of the area’s larg-est employers. Our office is highly skilled at matchingemployment needs with local employee talent.Accustaffof Albany is certified by the New York State Depart-ment of Economic Development as a Woman-OwnedBusiness Enterprise. AccuStaff is affiliated withRandstad Staffing, the 4th largest staffing company inthe world, which means we have access to, and use ofthis national expertise, technological assistance and fi-nancial resources on a global level, while maintaininglocal ownership, control and relationships.

AWA:Anton Wood Associates is a locally owned andoperated administrative search firm representing theCapital Region’s best talent and is strongly committedto satisfying the employment needs of our clientèle. Wespecialize in the permanent placement of professionalsin the areas of: Legal, Administrative & Managerial,Accounting & Finance, and Office Support. Selectingthe ideal talent to match a hiring need is imperative tothe success of any organization! Anton Wood Associ-ates works closely with our clients to select the best can-didate with the right combination of attributes, idealsand experience that go beyond the job description. Wesubstantially reduce our clients interviewing time bypresenting only those candidates whose backgroundsmatch the technical and professional requirements. Oursuccess in finding the right candidate is founded on ourphilosophy of finding the person who fits both the joband the company.

Woman-Owned Business EnterpriseAccuStaff

1767 Central AvenueAlbany, New York 12205

518 869-8523/518 869-8567 Fax

Johnstown Location106 W. Main Street

Johnstown, New York 12095518 736-1893/518 736-1904 Fax

Capital Communications Federal Credit Union offers abroad variety of savings, checking and lending prod-ucts. With over a half century of experience and a com-mitment to providing a unique banking experience,C a p i t a lCommuni-cations was,once again,ranked firstamong credit unions nationwide for member service ina 2008 survey conducted by Raddon Financial Group.

As one of more than 400 companies in the Capital Re-gion that offer Credit Union membership to employees,your company would benefit from on-site visits duringconvenient times, workshops tailored especially for yourneeds, presentations and special promotions for yourcompany and information for new employees.

This totally free employee benefit will not obligate youremployer in any way. To offer Capital Communica-tions membership to employees at your company, sendan e-mail to our Business Development team atbusdev@capcomfcu.org or call Steve at 458-2195 ext.3205 and we’ll get the process started. The Credit Unionis federally insured by the National Credit Union Ad-ministration.

New Minimum WagePosters are Available

The new minimum wage poster that went in effecton July 24, 2009 is available at the following link:http://www.labor.state.ny.us/formsdocs/wp/LS207_2009.pdf

To help our members, here is a link to theNYS Department of Labor’s posting require-ment page at http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/laborstandards/employer/posters.shtm for any other posters that an employermay need.

Any questions can be referred to Labor Standards at457-2730.

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From the President ... Michele Wilkes-Hawkins, PHRYour Officers & Boardof Directors 2008-09

PresidentMICHELE WILKES-HAWKINS, PHR

Tailwind Associates

Vice PresidentTRACY SPARGO, PHR

Pitney Bowes Business Insight

SecretaryMIRIAM DUSHANE, PHR

Linium Staffing

TreasurerTHOMAS McKENNA

McKenna & Associates/OI Partners, Inc.

Past PresidentALISON ROSENBLUM, MBA

Strategic Resources, Inc.

DIRECTORSMARJORIE A. ADAMS, PHR

Women's Employment & Resource Center

CHERRI ALDERDICE, SPHR

DEBRA ANTONELLI, SPHRDelark HR Solutions

SHARON BUTLERFirst Health Services/Coventry Health Care

KELLY CONROYClearView Center, Inc.

LAURIE DELONGBall Corporation

HARRY HAYES, JD, PHRJaeger & Flynn Associates, Inc.

CARYN LAFLECHE, PHRCKL Consulting

MARTIN PATRICK, SPHR

DENNIS RYAN, SPHRNPA Financial Services

CATHLEEN SMITHFirst Niagara Financial Group

SARA DELANEY VEROBond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC

CHRIS WESSELL, PHRBonadio Source HR

CHAPTER ADMINISTRATORCARLA KRZYKOWSKI90 State Street, Suite 1009,

Albany, NY 12207(518) 463-8687

MicheleWilkes-Hawkins

Welcome to the 2009-2010 CRHRAprogram year. I am very honored toserve as your President this year andam excited to have the opportunityto serve a sixth year on the Board ofDirectors. Our Board is comprisedof very dedicated and talented pro-fessionals who are committed to ourmission to meet the needs of ourmembership, facilitate the advance-ment of the Human Resources Pro-fession and Professionals and main-tain affiliation with SHRM and sup-port its initiatives.

We are happy to welcome newBoard members joining this year:Caryn LaFleche (Newsletter); SharonButler (Membership); Kelly Conroy(Student Chapter); Cathleen Smith(Diversity) and Sara Vero (Pro-grams). Rejoining the Board isMiriam Dushane as Secretary. I en-courage you to visit eachcommittee’s webpage atwww.crhra.org to learn about eachBoard members role and the volun-teer opportunities in our core lead-ership areas.

Your Board has been hard at workover the summer getting ready forthe start of the program year. InOctober we will have our strategicplanning session to determine ourinitiatives for the next 18 months.However we have already identifieditems that we are making progresswith such as increasing member-ship, member benefits and improv-ing our website on the front andbackend. In addition, we hope toindentify an initiative that we cansubmit for the Pinnacle Awards in2010. The Pinnacle Award is de-signed to recognize outstandingachievements in chapter/state coun-cil development and contributions tothe advancement of effective humanresource management. In 2008 wereceived an honorable mention forour workforce readiness efforts withthe grant secured for regional intern-ships. We last received the award in

1991 and hope tosubmit a commu-nity servicedriven initiativethat will be wor-thy of such anaward again.

Exciting news!We have re-cently learnedthat we are very close toreaching 1000 members and achiev-ing SHRM Super Mega Chapter sta-tus. (We are currently a MegaChapter) Some of the benefits of thisdesignation are having access to theSHRM super mega list serve, whichis only available to super megachapters; special invitations to su-per mega session breakouts at theSHRM Annual and LeadershipConference for our volunteer lead-ers and quarterly invitation-onlyconference calls for the super megachapter leaders. This will be a greatopportunity to share best practiceswith some of the leading chaptersin the country. Most are located inlarger metropolitan cities. Pleasesupport CRHRA by referring ourchapter to your peers and makingsure you have renewed your mem-bership and affiliate with our chap-ter (#105) when you renew withSHRM.

Please mark your calendars for twoof our popular programmingevents:

The 3rd Annual Spectrum AwardCelebration on October 15th whichwill be held at the Desmond and theOne Day Conference scheduled forMarch 24th at the Holiday Inn.

I hope you had an enjoyable sum-mer. The Board and I look forwardto seeing you at our first meetingon Wednesday, September 9th!

All the Best,

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Wednesday, Sept. 9Dinner Meeting

Holiday Inn, Wolf Road, Albany

Registration ...... 5:00-6:00 p.m.Dinner ............... 6:00-7:00 p.m.Program ........... 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Menu:• Fennel Roasted Pork Loin• Lemon Tarragon Chicken• Vegetable Wellington

Cost:• $30.00 - Members• $38.00 - Non-members• $10.00 - Students

Please make your reservationonline (www.crhra.org) or bymail (CRHRA, 90 State Street,Suite 1009, Albany, NY 12207),or fax (463-8656). You may paywith an online credit card pay-ment, by mail or at the door.Also, please be sure to check-in when you arrive.

RESERVATIONS and cancel-lations are required by noon onFRIDAY prior to the meeting.Reservations made and notkept will be billed to you.Please call CRHRA at 463-8687.

We regret that we are unable tohonor walk-ins on the day ofthe meeting. Casual attire is ac-ceptable.

AGENDACRHRA Announces HRLeadership Class of 2009

CRHRA is proud to announce the HR Professionals selected to partici-pate in the 2009 HR Leadership Program. From a pool of highly quali-fied candidates, the following individuals have been selected to partici-pate in the 2009 Class:

Sherri L. Donnelly, SPHR, CEBS, CMS, Albany Law School

Darcy E. Englert, PHR, Evident Technologies, Inc.

Nicole Falzo, PHR, Sunmark Federal Credit Union

Moira K. Fitzgerald, PHR, Capital District Physician’s Health Plan

Joseph D. LaMalfa, PHR, Living Resources Corporation

Ralph A. LaMontagna, PHR, Parsons Child and Family Center

Alena T. Llorens-Myers, Skidmore College

Amy Macy, SPHR, Consumer Directed Choices

Katherine S. Malia, The Research Foundation of SUNY

James P. McNaughton, PHR, Wildwood Programs, Inc.

Michelle C. Murray, SPHR, Einhorn Yaffee Prescott A&E, P.C.

Ann Marie O’Hanlon, SPHR, Taconic

Carol A. Spaulding, PHR, Bassett Hospital of Schoharie Countyd/b/a Cobleskill Regional Hospital

HR Leadership 2009 will kick off on September 18th, at Skidmore Collegeand run through December, with graduation occurring at the January2010 CRHRA meeting. The program is facilitated by John Bagyi, Esq.,SPHR and Diane Lustenader, SPHR, CCP, GRP, with the assistance ofan Advisory Committee made up of HR Leadership alumni, as well asHR executives.

Don’t Forget to Mark Your Calendar!

The 2009 CRHRA Top FiveSpectrum Award Dinner Gala

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Desmond Hotel andConference Center, Albany

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The Capital Region Human Resource Association(CRHRA) Board of Directors and the Diversity Com-mittee are pleased to announce the2009 winners of our Third AnnualTop Five Spectrum Award: A Cel-ebration of Workplace Diversity.The CRHRA Top Five SpectrumAward applauds the efforts of the“Top Five” Capital District employ-ers for their creative and innova-tive strategies that promote andadvance the concept and spirit of diversity.

Congratulations to the 2009 winners!

Capital District Transportation AuthorityIn Our Own Voices

Parsons Child and Family CenterTime Warner Cable – Albany*Pitney Bowes Business Insight

*Time Warner Cable-Albany was also recognized as a winner in 2008

The winners will be honored at The 2009 CRHRA TopFive Spectrum Award Dinner Gala: A Celebration ofWorkplace Diversity on Thursday, October 15, 2009at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, Al-bany.

Speakers for the event will include impressive indi-viduals such as co-founders Norm Massry and Colo-nel (R) Ken Curley of New York State for Veterans,Inc -a not-for-profit organization that provides careercounseling and job placement for veterans. Added tothis impressive guest list of speakers will be Nora K.Yates, Executive Director of the Capital District Gay& Lesbian Community Council. Master of Ceremo-nies will be Jim Kambrich, co-anchor of WNYT’sNewsChannel 13 Live at 5, 6, and 11.

Special entertainment: FLAME, a group from upstateNew York, made up of people with developmentaland physical disabilities. With 3 strong selling CDs andfull tour schedule, FLAME is beginning to get the at-tention of the national entertainment industry. Theyrecently signed a deal with a film production com-pany to have a documentary film made aboutFLAME. Recent performances in Greece and at the

Fannie Glover

Spectrum Winners Announcement

CRHRA Congratulates Winners of3rd Annual Diversity Award Initiative

International Special Olympic Games in Idaho havecreated a fan following across the globe, with requeststo perform coming in from Los Angeles toNigeria, Africa

Tickets are $50 for CRHRA members, $55 for non-members and $35 for students. Call (518) 463-8687for reservations, which are limited.

Nominations for the 2009 CRHRA Top Five SpectrumAward: A Celebration of Workplace Diversity wasconsidered in the following three areas:

• Training Programs (i.e., cultural and diversityawareness training, diversity management andleadership training, knowledge and skills-baseddiversity training)

• Linking Incentive and Compensation Pay to Di-versity Efforts (i.e., for company, team, and indi-vidual achievements)

• Ways That Diversity is Leveraged (i.e., tappingemployees of diverse backgrounds for innovativebusiness practices, using employees of diverse back-grounds to recruit and mentor other employees)

The award recognizes the top five Capital Districtemployers for their efforts!

Nominations were based upon the completion of adiversity survey developed exclusively for CRHRA byThe College of Saint Rose. To assure objectivity, TheCollege of Saint Rose reviewed all nominations andmade the final selections.

We will highlight each winner over the next couple ofmonths.

Registration will begin in September!

Please watch our website for new information regard-ing the celebration!

The Top Five Spectrum Award – a celebration ofworkplace diversity – is in its third year.

For further information, contact Fannie Glover at 690-4217 or fglover@nyscccc.org or Cathleen Smith atcathy.smith@fnfg.com or 591-4013

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Editor’s Note: Guy Maddalone, a CRHRA member, hasvolunteered to share his successful implementation of awellness program at his company.

By Guy Maddalone, GTM

At GTM, we want our employees to feel like their in-dividual efforts make a difference and impact the com-pany results on a daily basis. One of the best wayswe found to do this is not only by posting companygoals and metrics but to put a fun spin on it everyquarter by tying it to a companywide theme. Asidefrom having fun with the theme all quarter long, ifthe company hits its goal, there is a big reward at theend of the quarter and even a bigger one if we hit ourannual goals.

This quarter we wanted our theme to be focusedaround Health & Wellness. We designed this quarter’stheme to be focused on two goals: 1) Revenue growthand achievement and 2) Personal growth and achieve-ment through good nutrition and fitness. Because ofthe tough economy and wellness initiative, we namedthe theme “Going the Extra Mile”. To ensure activeparticipation by all employees at various fitness levels,we focused on increasing an activity that most every-one does on a daily basis – walking.

The employees were broken out into teams of 5-6people and assigned their target sales goals. Each teamwas also assigned a “destination city” on the westcoast (ex: Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, etc.) andeach employee was provided with a pedometer totrack their daily steps and submit them to their team’s“fitness ambassador”. The goal is to have each indi-vidual walk 10,000 steps per day to help their teamreach their destination city first. If both fitness stepsand sales goals are met, the teams will reach their des-tination, receive a bonus and perhaps adopt exerciseas part of a new and healthy lifestyle. And so, therace was on!!

Employees were also given an added incentive to par-ticipate in local charity fun runs, 5k’s, etc. by earningbonus points for each one. Not only are they gettingfit and earning extra points for their team, they aresupporting a worthy cause.

In order to keep everyone on track (and accountable!)

each team meets for one-half hour every week to re-view their sales and fitness achievements and planwhat they need to do to meet their goal. Then, as anentire company, we have an informal and laid backweekly 15 minute meeting where each team reportstheir collective physical steps along with how they aretracking to meet their sales goal. Also as part of theweekly huddle, each team is responsible for research-ing and sharing a health tip (food, exercise or lifestylerelated) with the rest of the company. In addition tosharing the health tips, each team takes turns provid-ing a healthy breakfast (ex: non-fat yogurt with freshfruit and granola, low-fat smoothies, low-fat blueberrycoffee cake made with whole wheat flour and low-fatyogurt) for the entire company on Friday mornings.

We have even put a healthier spin on how we cel-ebrate our monthly birthdays and employment anni-versaries. Instead of the usual sugar and calorie filledcake, we substitute it with healthier options. For ex-ample, last month we had sugar free angel food cakewith fresh strawberries and Cool Whip Light.

Now, as we are mid-way through the quarter, wehave teams that that are close to tracking 63%, 51%,and 43% of their goals. Between their fitness and salesgoals, our teams are cruising through Michigan, Kan-sas, Tennessee, and Texas on their way to the WestCoast.

At GTM, the bottom line is not only do we want allour employees to feel successful reaching their per-sonal and professional goals but we also want themto feel part of a team, take care of themselves, feel thatthey are making a difference, enjoy their work andmost importantly have FUN together while doing it!!!

Wellness Spotlight

GTM Health and Wellness Initiative

8

The Workforce Readiness Committee and the CRHRABoard of Directors are pleased to announce that theywill continue to offer the Voucher System program forthe 2009 / 2010 membership year. Thisprogram is designed to assist memberswho are in career transition. TheVoucher System was established to en-sure that “Members In Transition” cancontinue to connect with their col-leagues and benefit from a large net-work of professionals who can offerassistance with their job search.

CRHRA members can qualify for the program in twodifferent ways. An “Active Member”, someone who

has attended atleast three programmeetings over thepast twelve monthsand is currently un-employed, can con-tinue attending upto two meetings(per year) at no costto them. A “NewMember” who iscurrently unem-ployed can attend

one meeting (per year) at no cost to them.

Interested and qualified “Members In Transition” canreceive a meeting voucher by registering for meetingsusing the standard on-line form on CRHRA’s websitewww.crhra.org and under payment area select “pay atthe door” and then send an additional e-mail tocrhra@caphill.com to request a voucher. The requestwill be held in strict confidence and after review of ac-tive membership or new membership status, an e-mailconfirmation will be sent regarding the use of thevoucher.

The Workforce Readiness Committee and the CRHRABoard of Directors hope this program will continue tohelp unemployed members with networking opportu-nities, especially during these challenging economictimes.

Marjorie Adams

Workforce Readiness Committee

Voucher System for‘Members In Transition’

To apply for transitionalmembership, or for thosewho have found employ-ment during the transi-tional period and need toreinstate their regular mem-bership, go to http://www.shrm.org/about/m e m b e r s h i p /t r a n s i t i o n i n g / P a g e s /renew.aspx.

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Welcome New Members!Welcome to the new CRHRA members who havejoined our organization as of August 2009! Weare pleased to have the following HR profession-als join our membership:

Ronald Bentley .......... Saratoga HospitalJodi Boffard ............... Momentive Performance

MaterialsLauren Caffrey ......... NYISOKelley D’Angelo ........ St. Joseph’s Provincial

HousePaige D’Anna ........... Laboratory Corporation of

AmericaRachelle FredetteEric HopfnerKathy LaFond ........... Albany Medical CenterWilliam LittleKimberly Palm .......... Genpak LLCAnnette Parisi ........... Siena CollegeSharon Phillips .......... Capital Communications

Federal Credit UnionJacqueline Rochler ........ Center for Disability ServicesMelissa Sheehy .......... City of Glens FallsKristen Stangle ......... nfrastructure technologies

Update From OurStudent Chapters

By Kelly Conroy

The Student Chapters Committee is looking forwardto continue working with the students andfaculty from The College of St. Rose,Siena College, The Sage Colleges, andBryant & Stratton College. We wel-come new students and any othercolleges that are interested in work-ing with the committee. For the com-ing year we are looking to increaseparticipation with the mentoringprogram, continue to offer valuable HR internships,participate in the HR games and offer new CRHRAactivities to the colleges. If you are interested in vol-unteering or have any questions please feel free tocontact Kelly Conroy at students@crhra.org.

Kelly Conroy

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Certification Committee

CRHRA SponsorsCertification Study

ClassesThe opportunity is here again:

· To demonstrate your body ofknowledge and experience of theHR profession

· To join the growing number,now over 100,000, who haveachieved and maintained theprofession’s highest standardof excellence

· To present the credentials that are increasinglymore demanded by employers

· To reach a level of self satisfaction and accom-plishment that signifies a job MORE than just welldone

CRHRA is proud once more to sponsor the PHR/SPHR classes to assist HR professionals for the cer-tification exams scheduled from December 1, 2009– January 31, 2010. The cost again is only $175.00for CRHRA members and $255 for nonmembers.Classes will begin September 24 and run once aweek through November 19 and will be held at theBonadio Group Training Room off New KarnerRoad in Colonie starting at 6: 00 pm each evening.The classes are facilitated by certified CRHRA HRprofessionals who will bring their own professionalexperience and knowledge regarding the 6 areasof concentration that are reviewed.

Enrollment is open and available on-line throughSeptember 16. Please go the Certification Page ofthe CRHRA website for more information on theschedule and the easy enrollment procedure. Pay-ment is by credit card.

Have you been thinking of meeting this career chal-lenge? Join us on September 24!

Treasurer’s Report

CRHRA Fiscally Sound,No Bailout Money

NeededGood news. Tom Mc Kenna, CRHRA’s Treasurer,announced positive financial results for the fiscalyear ending June 30 of this year. Al-though the report is unofficial (ithas to be accepted and voted uponby the board), McKenna reportsthat revenues from Income($128,848) exceeded Expenses($115,047) by $13,801.

In an email to Federal ReserveChairman Ben Bernacki, McKenna categoricallyrefused bailout money saying “Thanks for the of-fer, but our books are sound.” Bernacki said moneyearmarked for the Association would be given toFord to revive the Edsel.

McKenna notes that this reverses a trend of nega-tive cash flow. “This reflects positively on the boardmembers who are monitoring how their budgetaffects the whole organizational picture.” He alsocredits Past President Alison Rosenblum who keptreminding committee chairs of their fiscal respon-sibility and the need to keep tight fiscal controls.

McKenna reports that the balance sheet endingJune 30 shows assets of $57,306. He indicated thatthis gives the association a cushion for the forth-coming years.

Martin PatrickTom McKenna

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You’re in the right place!

BEST

PLA

CES TO WORK Do your employees

love coming to work?

Then tell us about it!

Join the fun!Start your registration process today!

http://albany.bizjournals.com/albany/nomination/1715For additional information call 518-640-6800.

Sponsored by:

The Business Review is now accepting nominations for the annual Best Places to Work.

Best Places to Work is designed to honor the area’s leading employers who foster an enjoyable and meaningful work environment for their employees.

Once you register at the link below, your employees will have the opportunity to participate in a survey designed to get their feedback about the workplace. If your company is one of the high scorers you may be recognized as one of the Capital Region’s Best Places to Work!

Surveys evaluated by:

12

Upcoming EventsSeptember 10 ...... Columbia Greene JSEC presents “Updated COBRA Laws” with guest speaker Amelia Klein,

Esq. Of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC. Columbia Greene Community College, ProfessionalAcademic Center Rm 611-612 4400 Rte. 23, Hudson, NY . Registration and breakfast: 8:00 a.m.– 8:30 a.m., program 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Costs: $15.00 (includes breakfast buffet) with pre-registration by 9/03/09; $20.00 (at the door). Reservations can be made by e-mail or fax:debra.lombardo@labor.state.ny.us.

September 15 ...... Rensselear County JSEC presents “Updated COBRA Laws” with guest speaker Amelia Klein,Esq. Of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC. Hawthore Ridge – Retirement Community, 32 Com-munity Way, East Greenbush. Registration and breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., program 8:30a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Costs: $20.00 (includes breakfast buffet) with pre-registration by September10; $25.00 (at the door). Reservations can be made by e-mail or fax: cori.beck@labor.state.ny.us.

September 15 ...... Capital Region Recruiters’ Network presents “Effective Recruiting Techniques – An InteractiveSession” facilitated by Dennis Ryan, NPA Financial Services and Mario Pecararo, Alliance World-wide Investigative Group, LLC. Jillian’s, Pearl Street, Albany. 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Costs:CRRN members free, $25.00 (non-members). For more information http://www.crrn.org

September 16-17 . Ken Moore Associates presents “How to Read and Understand an Annual Report”. SchenectadyCounty Chamber of Commerce, 306 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady. Cost: $20.00. Thisprogram is available on September 16 from 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and offered again on Septem-ber 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The contact number for reservations is: (518) 374-1050 or e-mail: kmoore01@nycap.rr.com.

September 18 ...... Hudson Mohawk Chapter of the ASTD presents a breakfast meeting ”Developing and Deliver-ing Winning Presentations” with Linda Krzykowski, University of Albany. Marriott Hotel, 189Wolf Road, Albany. Registration and breakfast:8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m., program 9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. Costs: $25.00 (members), $35.00 (not-yet-members), $20.00 (full-time students). For moreinformation contact ASTD at (518) 765-4080.

One Day ConferenceCommittee Planning for 2010The One Day Conference Committee willbe gearing up for the event to be held onMarch 24, 2010. We are stillin the very early stages ofplanning for the conferencepresently. It takes participa-tion of many CRHRA mem-bers who volunteer theirtime to put this conferencetogether. We currently areseeking a person to chairthe Volunteer Sub-committee. This indi-vidual would be responsible for coordinat-ing the volunteers needed the day of theconference to work at the registration table,be speaker wranglers, etc. If you are inter-ested, please contact Laurie DeLong atldelong@ball.com. Remember, this is yourconference – join in to make it the best itcan be.

Laurie DeLong

Chapter ChatterNew BabyBest wishes to Christine Pirri, CRHRA member and employeeof HANYS who has a new daughter, Ella Rose Pirri who ar-rived on July 6, 2009.

In the NewsCongratulations to Sandy Ayres-Evans, PHR, CRHRA mem-ber, employee of Schenectady ARC and alumni of the HR Lead-ership Class of 2007. The Times Union profiled Sandy in the 8/9/09 Business Section as the featured “Up & Comer.”

Congratulations to Michele Pyan, CRHRA member and em-ployee at Commercial Investigations, LLC. The Business Reviewrecognized Michele as the “Woman to Watch” as part of thisyear’s annual “Women Who Mean Business.”

Hot Off the PressJohn M. Bagyi, Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC and CHRAmember is listed in New York Super Lawyers 2009 Upstate Edi-tion and Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition. Super Lawyersnames New York’s top lawyers as chosen by their peers andthrough the independent research of Law & Politics. Super Law-yers is a comprehensive and diverse guide to outstanding attor-neys, representing a wide range of practice areas, firm sizesand geographic locations.