Dear RWHRMA,
These are unprecedented times. Have you heard that much this year? Well it is definitely a phrase I’ve heard from the news media, many business leaders around the world, my neighbors and, heck, I’ve even used it myself!
It’s true that we are experiencing “unprecedented times” in many ways. The recession, the dramatic decline in the stock market, the filing of bankruptcy by iconic organizations and the massive reductions in our workforce, to name a few. Why just this week the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s unemployment rate for May 2009 at 9.4%, a 26-year high which is certainly unprecedented.
While the term “unprecedented” these days seems to describe challenges, it also presents opportunities.
One such opportunity is HR on Call. In this exciting initiative, RWHRMA is partnering with TSHRM and WRAL TV to assist individuals in our community who are in transition. On June 23rd, from Noon to 7:00 pm, approximately 80-90 members from RWHRMA & TSHRM will unite to man telephone lines at WRAL’s studio and answer calls from the general public on Human Resources issues related to layoffs, career transitions and job searches.
I would like to thank EVERYONE who is working so hard on this initiative to make it a success. ALL of our wonderful volunteers and Michele Langley for coordinating them. And especially Jeff Luttrell and Laurie Textor who are spearheading the project on behalf of RWHRMA & TSHRM respectively, under Paul Wasylkevych’s leadership. The first of its kind, we still have much to do in preparation for this event. It is certainly an unprecedented event and one which will no doubt have a positive impact on our community!
The 2009 SHRM Annual Conference and Expo will be held June 28th through July 1st in New Orleans, LA. The focus, “HR Leadership for the New Economy,” is designed to address these unprecedented times and presents a great opportunity for us as HR professionals to gain much needed insight around leadership during these times.
I hope you will be joining me in attendance of this event. If you plan to attend and would like to connect with other RWHRMA members at the event, please visit our website at
http://www.rwhrma.org/displayemailforms.cfm?emailformnbr=115744 to share your contact information and indicate if you are interested in carpooling to/from the airport and/or hotel. Please be sure to include the best way to reach you while at the event. Your information will be shared with all other RWHRMA members attending so we can connect before and during the event.
Looking forwarding to seeing you there!
All the best,
Kim Mills, PHR
RWHRMA President, 2009
