Board Of Director Meeting Minutes 01/15/09
Frontier Human Resource Association
Minutes of Board Meeting
January 15, 2009
The meeting came to order at 3:05 p.m. at The City of Cheyenne located at 2101 O’Neil Avenue in Room 208.
Five members were present at the meeting: Nancy Thayer, President; Chava Case, President-Elect; Andrea Hixon, Secretary; Renee Ashworth, Treasurer & Membership Chair; Judi Just, State Council Director.
Presentation on Chamber of Commerce Membership by Ruby Hernandez-
Ruby stated that our account was under a low membership status that listed our name and contact information online. She stated a non-profit organization membership package would be ideal for us. She mentioned that our membership lapsed since dues weren’t paid in September of 2008 but we are still shown on the Chamber website as members but technically not members since non-payment.
Some benefits of non-profit membership package:
Chamber Newsletter (Deals, Ads, and New Members to Cheyenne)
Weekly E-Newsletter
Members on the Move
Web Listing
Google Map
Description of business
Utilization of Events Calendar
Ability to Sponsor Chamber events ($100 to sponsor E-newsletter and $100 a year to have a link to our website).
Advertising and Marketing Opportunities in Monthly Newsletter and E-Newsletter
Job Postings
Business After Hours
Red Carpet Openings ($64 a year to be on the Red Carpet Committee)
BizLink Networking Opportunities
Cost of the non-profit membership for a year is $351.00 and a special offer of $100 Marketing credits to use at the Chamber.
Andrea asked Ruby what does it cost to place an ad. The cost for a 1/8 of a page ad is $85 and for 1/16 is $45 in the monthly newsletter.
Ruby would consider us new/renewed Chamber members. Ruby explained the ease of adding our events to the Chamber Calendar of Events.
Nancy let Ruby know that we are an affiliate of SHRM with the emphasis on that for recognition. Ruby was unsure of why we had a special rate of $150 for an online membership so Nancy let her know the history of the special rate given to us by Larry Atwell since we are a non-profit association. Nancy let Ruby know about our FHRA lunch meeting with speakers on HR related issues and the need to recruit new members. She let her know that the focus is on HR or owner (s) of a sole proprietorship. If we would like a Membership Roster then we could utilize it for the upcoming Cheyenne State Council Conference. An email blast could be sent to recruit volunteers for our group.
Nancy let Ruby know that the Board would discuss the membership. Ruby left a packet of information and emphasized 10% Discount off Marketing/Advertising Rates.
The Board discussed the information received from Ruby and why the 2008 membership lapsed due to non-payment of dues.
Judi recommended that Nancy needed to request the number of hits FHRA received on the Chamber website from Ruby to see if it is of any value.
Chava expressed a desire of an Association Fee instead of non-profit organization rates since FHRA is different from a non-profit organization.
Judi will ask the other chapters if they are members of their local Chamber of Commerce.
Judi suggested utilizing the SHRM logo on the Chamber website if we decide to renew our Chamber membership.
Old Business
SHRM Library-
Nancy has all of the books at her office on a bookshelf. Nancy asked Renee how she organized the SHRM library at her last chapter. Renee stated that she housed and placed a listing of books on the website with her contact information. Renee had index cards with the names of books and their authors. Renee kept records of the Check in and Check out process. Renee suggested a rolling cube to take to and from FHRA meetings. Andrea will check on adding information to our website. Renee also suggested printing labels to place on the books with “Property of FHRA” and contact information. Nancy recommended advertising “Featured Books” at our monthly meetings to get the word out. Nancy has extra books and DVD’s that she would loan out also.
Holiday Inn Contract-
Nancy thought the equipment was originally included. Judi suggested speaking with Rebecca to request a projector & laptop.
State Conference Update-
Rebecca is working on the request for Vendors/Call for presentations. Rebecca will send out information through an email blast.
The board discussed the recent addition of Eric Peterson as a Keynote Speaker to Conference. Judi thinks Diana Gould, Pam Greene, and Eric Peterson will be great representation from National SHRM.
Rebecca received prices on transportation for the trolley.
It was discussed that it wasn’t necessary to have a band for entertainment. Another possible idea for entertainment was Madam Belle since she plays a guitar and has a comedy routine.
Judi is still working on the Wednesday Night Leadership schedule. Also, she is establishing a list of speakers for an FHRA panel of HR Talent for Wednesday night.
“Day at the Legislature” Update-
Chava should have a flyer completed by tomorrow on the “1st Annual Day at the Legislature Event.” Chava gave an overview of the schedule that will start with Representative Jack Landon of Sheridan for our FHRA meeting. He will be arriving around 12:15, since he gets out of session at noon, and that will give Nancy a chance to discuss the new FHRA library. After the FHRA meeting, we will have a break of an hour and meet at the Capitol in the Rotunda at 2:00. Chava wanted to ensure we put an emphasis on carpooling because of the parking issues. Allen will chat with Safeway to see if they will allow us to park in their parking lot and possibly speak to the Laramie County Library also. Nancy will check on bringing a company van to offer carpooling. Velma will be giving tours of the Capitol. They prefer not to have larger groups than 25. So, if the total is more than 25, then the rest of the group will observe the House/Senate and vice versa when the others return from the tour. She will have us finished with the tours by 3:45 to meet with Mike Moser for his presentation in the Cottonwood room. Chava verified that he doesn’t need any special setup accommodations and refreshments will be served to attendees. So far, 25 attendees are signed up.
Andrea requested that Chava send a copy of the RSVP spreadsheet to ensure adequate counts on the attendees. Andrea will contact the Holiday Inn to see if they will offer a Sandwich/Salad selection to keep the event as simple as possible.
Chava secured the $79 room rate at the Holiday Inn.
The board discussed and decided to charge $12 for the event.
Chava is also looking for volunteers to coordinate people at the Capitol. Everyone volunteered to assist at the Event.
Judi brought a guide, “Your Guide to the Capitol and What Goes on Inside”, from the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle and expressed the desire to get enough copies to distribute to attendees. Chava will try to get extra copies from them.
Programs for 2009-
Chava received approval for our January meeting for HRCI credits and February’s meeting has been submitted for credits pending approval.
March-possibly John DeGairo’s classes and Chava mentioned unsure which one to pick. The board narrowed the topic areas down to the following:
Retention
Concerns about Layoff
How to Motivate Your Team during these economic times
Talent Management Sustainability
The ones left after a layoff
April-Still open with ideas of Communication & Team Building
May-Still open
Board discussed and approved the following topic ideas for programs:
Diversity
Financials
Benefits
Lily Ledbetter Act
Nancy suggested contacting Ken Dugas for additional program topic ideas since he had previous good recommendations for 2008.
Half-Day Seminar-The board discussed their preferences with a decision on April or May with a presentation on “Employment Law Updates”.
Checking Account Audit-The board will need to ask Rebecca about the outcome of the conversation she had with Ken Dugas regarding the checking account audit. This may have to be put on hold until the tax season is over. Nancy will contact Rebecca regarding the outcome.
National SHRM website line item-Judi emailed Diana since she was unable to speak to her during the conference call and hasn’t received a response back yet. Judi asked how the local chapter receives money and member information if they choose this option on the National SHRM website.
Membership Committee Chair-Renee Ashworth
Renee asked Andrea to send her a spreadsheet of the members that haven’t renewed their membership for 2009.
Governmental Affairs/Diversity Report-Chava Case
Nancy will contact Brenda Birkle to see if she would be interested in Governmental Affairs.
Chava gave an update on governmental affairs for the following:
Pete Illoway sponsored and introduced House Bill 103 that will require employers to verify citizenship status of employees. Governor Freudenthal strongly recommended that legislators focus on Social issues since the surplus has diminished.
Chava mentioned the idea of combining Cities and Counties to become one entity.
House quickly passed Lilly Ledbetter Act which allows more leeway for women and other to seek justice over pay discrimination.
Chava will continue to track Diversity but nothing new to report this month.
New Business-
Chamber-How are we going to market the State Conference? The board discussed getting the word out at the Day at the Legislature and on different Committees.
State Councils 1st Face to Face meeting- Judi let the board know about the recommendation for a meeting with all chapters on Tuesday night, February 17th, and have dinner in conjunction with the meeting. Chava and Nancy are able to attend and Renee & Andrea will let Judi know their availability since she would like us all to be able to attend this meeting. Judi is trying to figure out a place to have dinner on Thursday night.
State Council Board Members that are planning on attending are Joyce, Heather, Brooke, Carolyn, Chava, Nancy, and Judi. Judi recommended attending the meeting because of the big changes at State Council level. Casper’s presence may diminish or fold.
State Council is considering establishing SHRM Wyoming State Chapter of all of the chapters that are in Wyoming. All administrative duties would become the responsibility of State Council. This would be a paid position. There are 213 members currently at large not affiliated with Chapter. Judi discussed this tentative idea and what effects it would have on local chapters. Some other questions to be addressed would be:
Would the Local Chapter’s still operate the same?
Would funds from National be distributed among the Chapters?
This idea is more popular when other chapters are struggling and if they can take some administrative duties off the President. Judi stated that it is very exciting to see the direction that State Council is taking. Goal Setting & Strategic Planning are also on the agenda.
Membership Committee Report-Renee Ashworth
Renee has ordered and received her generic business cards for FHRA.
Newsletter Report-Rico Childers
Rico was unable to attend the meeting. Chava sent the templates to Rico for the upcoming Newsletters.
Foundation Report-
The board discussed the need to fill the Chair Position that was previously held by Rebecca Spitsbergen.
Secretary Report-Andrea Hixon
Nancy asked for approval of the Board Meeting Minutes and approval was received from the Board.
Andrea gave new/renewal membership applications and checks to Renee Ashworth.
Andrea has only one outstanding invoice from Heather Rudy from Laramie County for the October 2008 meeting. Heather is planning on attending the January meeting so Andrea will discuss this with her.
Nancy requested that Andrea send her a copy of the Email Distribution List.
Adjournment
Next board meeting will be on February 19th at 3:30pm in Room 208 at the City of Cheyenne located at 2102 O’Neil Avenue.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Hixon
Secretary 2009
