President's Message: Farewell

Dear Members:
 
This will be the last article I will write in my capacity as president. It is a bitter-sweet time for me, because I have enjoyed the opportunity you have given me to lead this great organization, but I also know the importance of giving this opportunity to others in order for this organization to move forward and to grow. With this said, I would like to reflect back on the chapter’s accomplishments in the past two years. These accomplishments could not be possible with out the dedication and hard work of our board chairs and their committee members.
  

Some of the major accomplishments have been:

• HRM-RI launched a new web-site, providing members with greater functionality, including membership directory, whitepapers, legal updates, calendar of events, and discussion forums.
   
• HRM-RI undertook a re-branding initiative, giving the chapter a new image to attract new members.
   
• HRM-RI finances continued to be very strong, allowing us to stay focused on member benefits and keep the cost associated with being a member down. HRM-RI remains committed to non-dues revenue sources to ensure financial stability for our association.
   
• HRM-RI re-introduced the annual professional development day that provides educational and certification credits to our members.
    
• HRM-RI collaborated with different business and professional associations like HRComply, VenuLex, MARSH, and Psychological Association of Rhode Island, to bring added programs of interest and additional member benefits to our members.
   
• HRM-RI continued to win the SHRM Superior Merit Award for our outstanding Chapter Activities.
    
• HRM-RI formed a strategic partnership with the Newport Chamber of Commerce and introduced the Aquidneck Island Affiliate of HRM-RI, providing HR related programming four times per year on the Island.
    
• HRM-RI Chief HR Officer dinner meetings, established for senior level HR professionals, focused on strategic topics and speakers.
    
• HRM-RI held roundtable breakfast meetings for sharing best practices, with topic specific discussions geared towards serving our sole practitioners and junior level professionals.
    
• HRM-RI published a monthly electronic newsletter to keep members up-to-date on membership news and events in our community that would be of interest to our members.
    
• HRM-RI is going paperless. Starting in January, monthly meeting notices will be sent electronically, along with other important information for our members.

HRM-RI has been very fortunate to have an outstanding chapter administrator and secretary, Alice Stanelun. She has made all of our jobs easier and improved HRM-RI in ways that are not always apparent to the general membership. Alice truly is wonderful to work with and has been very helpful to me in my role as President. Teresa Ritter, from Ritter Consulting, has also been a wonderful addition to HRM-RI. She designed and manages our web site, as well coordinating our monthly e-mail newsletter. She has been instrumental in helping HRM-RI reach our goals for technology.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the tremendous contribution of our chapter volunteers. It is my wish for more people to become involved in moving this association forward.

I am grateful that I had an outstanding board to make my job as president seem so easy. This board includes MaryLou Buonaccorsi, Lynn Watterson, Alice Stanelun, Jan Poulin, Judy Clare, Frank Cerilli, Brenda Ossinger, Christine Barber, David Goldman, and Jane Fontaine. In total confidence, I turn over the reins to incoming President, Lynn Watterson, SPHR. Along with the Board, Lynn will continue to build on the foundation we have laid.

In closing, I would like to thank all the chapter members for having confidence in me and allowing me the privilege to serve as President for the past two years. I wish you all Happy Holidays and a Very Peaceful New Year!

Elissa C. O’Brien, SPHR
President, Human Resource Management Association of Rhode Island
elissa@cranstonarc.org
(401) 941-1112
 

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