President's Message

As we stare winter in the eye and get our warm coats out of the closet we barely have time to reflect on the deepening economic crisis and the federal elections in both Canada and the USA. Will there be a continuing shortage in qualified workers? Will we be hard at work recruiting or laying people off?

Since my last newsletter we held a terrific golf tournament together with the Toronto Chapter and the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness. The sold out crowd enjoyed a great day of sun and fun, a raffle, a silent auction, great prizes, and most important of all GREAT networking.

Our fall sessions have been great and we just held our 2007-2008 Annual General Meeting where we heard about HRPAO’s government relations work from Stephen Rotstein. Our Holiday lunch was held on December 5th at the Richmond Hill Country Club.

Take a look at the website: www.hrpyr.org to see some of the terrific speakers that JoAnne Trotter has lined up for the spring.

HRPYR will once again be in Chapter Alley at the HRPAO 2009 Conference in late January. Volunteers should contact Sharon Flanagan, Director of Volunteers who will pass you on to Bridget Carter, our Director of Business Development.

Sharon will also pass your name on to Nikki Johnston, a former Board Member who has stepped in to help Jodi Zigelstein-Yip with our Mentorship program. Jodi just had her second child, Brooklyn, who will join Reese in livening up the Yip household. Finally, the Nominations Committee under Michelle Collier has begun a search for some volunteers to join us on the Board. Contact Michelle or Sharon.

Congratulations to recent Board Member Abby Cheung who just gave birth to Silken Grace, and to Director of Chapter Administration Jennifer Catania who formally tied the knot in September and has changed her name to Jennifer Emmerson! And welcome to Greg Vertelman who has joined the Board as Membership Director AND as the 2009 Golf Tournament Chair. He replaces Jackie Cabildo who resigned from the Board for personal reasons.

Mike Kitagawa has been shepherding our resources through these economic times and keeping the rest of us in line. Early in the New Year we will meet to discuss plans for 2009/2010 and the proposed budget.
Have an enjoyable and safe winter and I hope to see you at one of our events.

Ian J. Turnbull
BA, MBA, CHRP

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Call for Nominations – 2009/11 Board of Directors

Contributor: Michelle Collier public_relations@hrpyr.org

Elections for the Chapter Board of Directors will take place prior to our meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2009, at which time the newly elected Directors will be announced. We would like to thank those Chapter members who have already expressed an interest in running for the Chapter Board of Directors.

Board candidates must be supported by a nominee. If you are interested in sitting on the Chapter Board, or know of someone who you feel would make a positive contribution to the Board, please submit an application to the nominating committee by completing our online application form at www.hrpyr.org. You MUST be logged in to complete the nomination/nominator forms.

Once the final slate of candidates has been approved by the Nominating Committee and the Board, a notice providing details about the candidates and their election statements will be distributed to all members for information and review prior to the election.
This year, for the first time, election ballots will be submitted electronically. This will allow all HRPYR voting members to participate in the election process, even if they are unable to attend the meeting.

Nominations must be supported by a current HRPYR member and must be submitted on the accompanying Nomination Form. A resume and a list of 3 relevant references must also be included. The deadline for submission of completed nomination packages is January 15, 2009.

For information about any Board position, qualifications and the nomination process, please contact the Nominating Committee at nominations@hrpyr.org.

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The Human Resources Professionals of York Region (HRPYR) will have an exhibit booth all three days of the HRPAO conference – January 28 – 30, 2009 - and we hope you’ll stop by to visit!

Take a breather from sessions and visit us on the 800 level near Halls F&G. Come and chat with Chapter volunteers, learn more about your Chapter in action and tell us what you think. Meet Chapter colleagues and pick up information about Chapter programs and events, business partnerships, mentorship, volunteer opportunities, golf 2009, sponsorship opportunities and more!

Stop by and say hi! We look forward to seeing you there!

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Chamber Partnerships: This year we are piloting a new concept of joining with our region’s Chambers of Commerce. The objective is to create joint learning opportunities for our human resource professional members and community business chamber members, by creating opportunities to attend, share and network locally.

We are currently working on an event to pilot this concept with the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. There will be a luncheon held on April 23rd, 2009 with Steven Osiel who will talk about Total Rewards considerations
for small to midsize businesses.

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TRIEC Workshops: We have established a partnership with TRIEC (Toronto Regional Immigrant Employment Council) to bring workshops to our local communities. The workshops are for those who would like to improve their ability to attract, select and retain skilled immigrants. Class sizes are limited; therefore we will be coordinating these workshops in conjunction with our Chamber Business Partners, and will hold them in the local communities. The first session we are planning to pilot will be held in Richmond Hill, on February 25th, 2009. As seats are limited, please register early in order to avoid disappointment.

On November 1st, Bridget Carter and I attended a conference coordinated by TRIEC for over 600 skilled immigrants. We represented our association in the HR sector room, informing HR professionals of the benefits membership with our association offers.

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Attend and Win: We would like to reward your efforts to continue your professional development. So in addition to earning CHRP points, you can now earn a chance to win a free pass to the HRPA Annual Conference. We are introducing a new and exciting opportunity for you to win a Free Pass to the HRPA Annual Conference in 2010.

How can you win? Well this year we will be offering 9 professional development sessions, plus 2 Chamber events. If you attend at least 4 events which is half of the regular (9) events, between
Sept. 2008 / May 2009 then your name will be entered into the contest. Attendance at the Chamber sessions will also be counted.
We will draw the winner at our Volunteer / CHRP Gala, which is being planned for June 2009.

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We can’t do what we do without the help of our volunteers. We have been extremely fortunate to have an active and interested membership, who are keen to participate and help out in a variety of ways. For those of you who have already volunteered – a sincere “Thank you!” For those of you considering a volunteer role – “Welcome!”

Getting involved means you have an opportunity to influence and contribute to the success of the Chapter. It also provides you with an opportunity to perhaps learn and practice new skills that will contribute to your own professional development. Or – to use existing skills that may not be required of you in your present working role. You also get to know some new people and expand your network.

Give us a little time, or a lot of time – It’s up to you!

Here are some ways you can ‘get involved’:

• Contribute an article to the Chapter Newsletter
• Be a ‘subject expert’ at a Table Topics meeting
• Help out at special events – for example at Chapter Alley at the upcoming HRPA Annual Conference or at our annual Golf Tournament
• Volunteer for ‘ad hoc’ assignments (one time only requirements)
• Be a mentor
• Join a committee

If you are interested in volunteering and have questions about any role or committee, please feel free to contact Sharon Flanagan, Director of Volunteer Management volunteer@hrpyr.org or any of the Chapter Executives for more information.

We encourage you to actively participate in any way you can. Our volunteers are valuable and appreciated. Thank you!

Specific Volunteer Opportunities: January, 2009

Employer Led Resume Feedback Sessions for Students who are interested in Human Resources
York University Career Centre;
January 20, 21, 22, 2009

What is this volunteer opportunity?
The Career Centre at York University is offering resume feedback sessions for students interested in pursuing careers in human resources. HRPYR is proud to partner again with The Career Centre at York University in this important student outreach initiative designed to help students present polished and professional resumes.

Tell me more...
Volunteer a day of your time, on site at York U Career Centre, to meet with students in half hour time slots to offer them feedback on their resumes. The daily schedule runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (10 half hour slots), with an hour for lunch. The Career Centre will either provide a catered lunch for employer volunteers or a lunch voucher. Parking is also complimentary. Most employer volunteers commit to a full day, however, if you are interested and unable to commit the full day, the career centre may be able to organize a half day schedule. Once the schedule is complete, the Career Centre representative will forward to you in advance the resumes of the students you will meet with so that you may review them and prepare your observations and feedback.

Yes! I’d love to help! Who do I contact?

Contact:
Robert Obee Tower
Manager, Work Experience
York U Career Centre
phone: 416 736 2100 x40795
email: obtower@yorku.ca

HRPYR Booth at Chapter Alley, HRPA Annual Conference
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building
January 28, 29, 30, 2009

What is this volunteer opportunity?
During the HRPA Annual Conference, HRPYR will have a table in “Chapter Alley”, near the vendor exhibits. We need volunteers to help us staff our “booth” and represent our Chapter to our members, members of other chapters and other conference attendees.

Tell me more...
We are still finalizing details, however, we anticipate asking volunteers to help at the booth in shifts of two hours, during the day, over the course of the three days of the conference. The shifts will be scheduled in advance, and volunteers will be supplied with appropriate identification.

Yes! I’d love to help! Who do I contact?

Contact:
Sharon Flanagan
Director of Volunteer Management
volunteer@hrpyr.org

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Want to grow YOUR business? We have opportunities available for Chapter sponsorship (e.g. dinner series sponsor, session sponsor, mentoring sponsor) and special event sponsorship, including an Annual Golf Tournament 2009 and an Excellence in Human Resources York Region Gala Event 2010.

Sponsoring the Chapter is an excellent way to gain more exposure for your company. Sponsoring with us means that your organization’s name will be promoted to over 1200 Chapter members on our website and every time we publicize an event, and, will be included on all materials sent to our non member contacts and our local business partners. Now that’s great coverage!

Want to explore the possibilities? Please contact Bridget Carter, Director of Business Development at marketing@hrpyr.org or call 416 283 9070 if you are interested in partnership or sponsorship opportunities with HRPYR.

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The holiday season is just around the corner. Whether you’re in search of something for yourself or someone else, check out the wide selection of safety gifts that will benefit the whole family.

• Fire Extinguisher – class ABC (multipurpose)
• Extra Smoke Alarm(s)
• Carbon Monoxide Detector
• Video Recorder and Blank Video(s)/DVD(s) – to record home contents
• Electric Engraver – to mark home contents
• Thermostatically Controlled Deep Fat Fryer
• Metal Ash Bucket – for the fireplace/stove
• Automatic Light Timer
• 'Dusk to Dawn' Automatic Nightlight or Switch
• Deadbolt lock(s)
• Fire Blanket
• Battery Powered Flashlight
• Battery Powered Radio
• Childproof Door Handle or Cupboard Door Safety Latches
• Emergency Chain Escape Ladder
• Spare Batteries – for the smoke alarm, flashlight and radio
• First Aid Kit
• Emergency supply kit – home and/or auto
• Safety Outlet Covers – to protect kids from electric shock

Johnson Inc. extends best wishes to you and your family for a happy holiday season and a safe New Year.

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HRPYR e-Connections is published quarterly via member e-blast. Questions about articles in this issue can be sent to the feature contributor. To make general comments, queries or suggestions for or submissions of future articles please e-mail: management@hrpyr.org

FACULTY OF BUSINESS
Co-operative Education

Introducing Seneca’s applied degree program in:
Human Resources Strategy and Technology (Co-op)

This 4 year degree program exposes students to practical skills and knowledge in the areas of human resources, technology, and business. Upon completion graduates will be able to pursue a CHRP designation along with other HR related designations.

During the 3rd year, students complete a paid summer co-op work term in order to apply their human resources business skills in a real work environment.

Students are available as early as April 27 and can work up until Sept 4, 2009.

For more information about hiring a Human Resources Strategy and Technology co-op student contact:
Drew.Atamanuk@senecac.on.ca, Co-op Coordinator
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 ext. 2228
http://www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/HST.html