Dear Valued HRMA Members:
 
June is here and summer is finally underway!  I'm excited about all of the programs and events we have planned for you in the months ahead.  Here's the lineup so far.
 
In July we'll feature Aaron Viets, Esq. as our luncheon speaker. Mr. Viets is a partner/shareholder in the Albuquerque office of Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin & Robb, P.A.  Since coming to Rodey in 2001, his practice has focused on representing employers in federal and state court and before the EEOC and the New Mexico Department ofWorkforce Solutions.   His program, "Preventing Wage and Hour Claims Before They Happen",  will analyze the new state law and address some of the most common compensation pitfalls that snare employers, including the troublesome nuances of wage and salary calculations as well as how to correctly classify employees.
 
Plans for a social event in July are in the works! We're organizing a fun filled event designed especially to beat the summer heat and give everyone the opportunity to network with friends and HR colleagues. We'll kick off the event with a special session designed to give HR professionals the chance to evaluate their own career and re-tool if necessary.   Details and information on this special event will be posted on the website as they become available.
 
On August 18th, Jill VonOsten, Executive Director of the New Mexico Ethics Alliance will present "Ethics and the Power of an Alliance" at our monthly luncheon.  Immediately following the luncheon, Jill will lead a 3 hour workshop on "Fostering the Good, When Times are Bad; Tips and Tools for Building an Ethical and Productive Workplace Culture".  Participants will work through a case study and be offered tips that HR professionals can use to help foster workplace ethics in daily practices such as hiring, orientation, training, and performance management.  The workshop will be available to HRMA members for $99.00 and HRCI credits are pending. More details about this workshop will be available on the website soon.
 
Pamela Greene, Chief Membership Officer at SHRM will be our speaker at September's meeting!  Mark your calendars now - Pam is a dynamic, energetic and passionate HR professional and her program is guaranteed to please.
 
If you weren't able to attend the June meeting, you missed an insightful presentation from Teresa Ostrem on "Creative Compensation and Benefits in an Economic Recession".  She discussed creative approaches to use in dealing with total rewards during economic challenges and options for retaining the best employees and maintaining overall morale.  If you would like information about her program or would like to contact Teresa for more details or recommendations, please contact me at Longdon.patty@nm.sysco.com.
 
We also heard from Mary Ann Baker-Randall, Director of TeamWorks, about an internship program that could benefit both TeamWorks participants and employers.  The program provides interns at no cost to an employer and gives the TeamWorks participant an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a real world setting.  If you'd like more information about this program or about how to be more involved in our TeamWorks Alliance, please contact Denise Montoya, VP of Community Relations at montoyad@unm.edu.
 
As always, we value your feedback and suggestions.  Please let me know if there is anything your Board of Directors can do to make HRMA more effective and meaningful for you.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Patty Longdon
President



 

SHRM of New Mexico State Council presents
Employment Law and Legislative Update 2009

One of the most important conferences
you'll attend this year!

August 4, 2009 in Albuquerque, NM at the Embassy Suites