Greetings HRMA Members,
Small Business HR Resources
An article published in October 2009 by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy states, in 2000, New Mexico had 34,084 small businesses employing less than 500 employees. In 2006, that number grew to 36,430 small businesses employing less than 500 employees. In New Mexico, small businesses account for 96.2% of the state's employers and 57% of its private sector employment according to the U.S. Department of Commerce: Bureau of the Census.
Why are these statistics important to Human Resources (HR) professionals? Typically small businesses in New Mexico have minimal HR resources available in comparison to larger organizations. Therefore, if you are a small business owner or an employee of a small business in New Mexico, you should be aware of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) resources available to you at a national level. Furthermore, the Human Resource Management Association (HRMA) of New Mexico is also available to you as a valuable source.
Membership in SHRM allows small businesses to have access to an array of valuable research advancing the profession of human resources. SHRM publishes sample job descriptions, sample employee handbooks, sample policies to consider, current information on health care reform, business acumen basics, small business tips for building competitive benefits programs, articles regarding how HR technology outsourcing can benefit small companies, legislative updates impacting small businesses, and much more. Visit http://www.shrm.org/Pages/default.aspx to learn about human resource tools available for small businesses.
HRMA is a local affiliate chapter of the national SHRM and SHRM New Mexico Council. HRMA is a forum for networking, professional development, and job search opportunities. Membership in HRMA is an opportunity to network with HR professionals throughout the local area to learn best practices around the state and bring awareness of state and local issues impacting organizations.
Seeking HRMA Board Nominations
Serving on the board of HRMA NM offers a great opportunity for you to expand professionally, to be an insider into what is going on in HR in Albuquerque, and to give back to the profession as well. HRMA NM is active in the legal affairs and issues affecting HR as well as community outreach, workforce readiness, student/professional development, diversity and of course, HRCI certifications. Board participation is open to HR professionals as well as those who provide goods and services to the HR Community. Self-nominations are welcome as are those who recommend someone else (with their approval). Nominations are still open for all positions, but there are two that do not currently have anyone nominated: Vice President of Public Relations/Fund Raising and Finance-Elect. Both serve key roles in the organization that can truly make a difference in the organization and the HR community as well. Please feel free to contact Bob Daniel at presidentelect@hrmanm.org if you have interest or questions regarding these vital roles to HRMA NM.
Your Chance to Win a Free Registration to the 2012 SHRM New Mexico Conference
Are you on top of your HR Game? The Human Resource Management Association of New Mexico has a long history of promoting professional development in the workforce to ensure opportunities are provided to local HR professionals to grow and excel in rapidly changing times. Continuing with that tradition, HRMA is raffling off a Free Two Day Registration for the upcoming 2012 SHRM NM Conference that will be held on Monday, March 26, and Tuesday, March 27, 2012. Purchase your ticket for only $5 a chance; 5 chances for $15; or a pack of 10 chances for $25. Join the best and brightest in the field as they share their experiences and knowledge of human resources and so much more. This conference will provide you the tools to help you reach the top of your HR game, and you could potentially attend for free. Prize is valued at $489. For more information, you may contact Jose Sanchez, Vice President of Professional Development at professionaldevelopment@hrmanm.org or visit the 2012 SHRM NM Conference website at http://shrmnm.org/State_Conference.aspx.
UNM SHRM Student Chapter
The University of New Mexico SHRM Student Chapter, winner of the 2011 SHRM SuperiorMerit Award, is pleased to announce its new Board: President, Manoluck Sourapohl; Vice President of Finance, Kara Smith; Vice President of Recruiting, Kayla Smith; and Vice President of Community Relations, Cristina Baca. In addition, the search continues for a Vice President of Marketing to lend their expertise to the new Board! Congratulations to the new board. We look forward to your involvement with HRMA.
In March 2011, a Student Advisory Committee (SAC) was created to link the University of New Mexico (UNM) SHRM student chapter to the HRMA resources in an effort to build a mutual relationship between the student chapter and the local chapter. The SAC serves to increase student awareness of SHRM beyond the college chapter, and to create a transition from being a student chapter member to becoming a member of HRMA. The SAC encourages contact with HRMA members through a mentorship program, as well as through the HRMA luncheons to promote knowledge of the HR profession, and to encourage student placement into professional HR positions. The SAC is composed of 11 members who meet twice a year. Current SAC members include: Cristina Baca, Bob Daniel, Robert DelCampo, Jessica Edlinger, Julie Fritsch, Tina Rulo, Kara Smith, Kayla Smith, Jose Sanchez, Manoluck Sourapohl, and Jason Blankenship. The work of the SAC has resulted in a newly established Mentorship program. If you would like to participate in the Mentorship program, please contact HRMA's VP of Student Activities, Jason Blankenship at jblanken@unm.edu.
Human Resources in Public Policy
Alice Kilborn, PHR, SHRM State Legislative Director, will speak to us regarding employers experiencing the most active HR policy agenda in years. From Congress and the White House to federal regulatory agencies, workplace policy is at the forefront of the Washington agenda as well as the state agenda in New Mexico. Political observers expect this trend on employment issues to continue - with proposals to require employers to provide paid leave and extend new civil rights protections, Human Resources professionals cannot afford to be out of the loop. Learn more about how HR professionals can stay current with relevant legislative updates impacting the organizations we serve by registering today at www.hrmanm.org . Hope to see you there.
Have a great September! So much to look forward to this month, the smell of green chili roasting, back to school opportunities for many, the New Mexico State Fair celebrating local talent, and the smell of rain with a new Fall season approaching. Enjoy!
Denise Montoya, MA, SPHR
President, Human Resources Management Association of New Mexico
