President's Message

Spring is slowly raising its head and we are all looking forward to an early and warm summer.

HRPAO has asked all 28 Chapters to modify their Bylaws and Fiscal Year. In order to comply, HRPYR will be changing both:

• The Bylaws (updated in 2007) will be adjusted according to HRPAO’s wishes and presented to the HRPYR Membership later this year.
  
   
• The HRPYR Fiscal Year – now June to May – will be adjusted as follows:
  
  - The 2008/2009 Fiscal Year will end as planned on May 31, 2009.
  
  - There will be a special six (6) month transitional Fiscal Year from   June 1, 2009 – November 30, 2009.
  
  - The new “permanent” 12-Month Fiscal Year will begin
     December 1, 2009 and run to November 30, 2010.

These changes also impact the timing and duration of Board Directors’ terms. We try to organize terms so that there is an overlap between existing and new Directors to ensure continuity of thought and action. As well, terms are designed so that the planning and budgeting of a Fiscal Year are carried out by the Directors who will be managing during that Fiscal Year. In order to adjust for the new Fiscal Year cycle outline above, HRPYR will adjust the terms of existing and new Directors so that:

• We cover off the one-time transitional six month Fiscal Year.
  
   
• Beginning in 2010, HRPYR Board terms will be set to begin every September and end 27 months later on November 30th. The three (3) month overlap (September-November) will allow for a smooth transition between outgoing and incoming Directors and for portfolio changes.

A series of events have resulted in our Board losing a few members and the Nominating Committee of Michelle Collier, Sharon Flanagan and Karen MacRobie worked hard over the winter months to produce a great slate of returnees and newbie’s:

Returning to the Board are: Bridget Carter, JoAnne Trotter, Jodi Zigelstein-Yip, Jennifer Emmerson and Greg Vertelman. Joining us for the first time are: George Kralidis, Lidia Finlayson, Steven Osiel and Cathy Tadres. Welcome and welcome back!

Since the slate of nine just fills the Board vacancies there is no need for an election between candidates but this shouldn’t be taken as a sign that there was little interest. In addition to those selected, we had an unprecedented amount of interest in Board directorship. The HRPYR membership will be asked to confirm the new Board during our regular PD session on March 24th.

Coming off the usual HRPAO Conference success (and a great showing by HRPYR in Chapter Alley), the Professional Development Committee have a full slate of events planned for spring, including:

• June 4th – HRPYR recognition and celebration for new CHRPs and Volunteers – everyone welcome
  
   
• June 23rd – Our annual golf tournament with Toronto and the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness. This is NOT about golf, but about networking and fun

Take a look on the HRPYR site (www.hrpyr.org) for more details on these two events plus some upcoming PD sessions.

Have a great Spring season and I hope to see you at one of our events.

Ian J. Turnbull
BA, MBA, CHRP

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This year, HRPAO again invited its Chapters to participate at the annual HRPAO Conference trade show. The Human Resources Professionals of York Region (HRPYR) was one of only three Chapters to take advantage of this opportunity.

Despite bad weather, the HRPYR booth was well attended throughout all three days by members, non-members, old friends and new friends who came to chat with Chapter volunteers and Board members, and to learn more about HRPYR in action! Our booth was interesting, dynamic and fun!

Click on the thumbnails for larger view

If you came by to see us – thanks! If you didn’t, we hope you will next year!

For those who entered the contest for a free round of golf at the next Annual Golf Tournament (June 25, 2009), the contest will run until May at the upcoming HRPYR events. The winner will be drawn in May.

Thank you to the following HRPYR Booth volunteers:

Dawn England, Gail Gray, Silvey Joseph, Karen Knowles, George Kralidis, Patricia Lippa, Sylvia Loughran, Hajnalka Soradi and Cassie Stein.

We could not have done it without you!

And thank you to our great admin staff from Virtual Option (Lori Suffern and Kimberley Kerr) for setting our booth up. Great Job!

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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 and 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!” Special thanks to those who volunteered time at the HRPA conference to staff our booth in Chapter Alley. We had a wonderful display and terrific representation, thanks to each of 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 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, at 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!

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Member Benefits

HRPYR member? Don’t forget to take advantage of the discounts, special offers and services offered to you by our Sponsors, Association Partners and Affinity Partners!

In 2009, the Marketing Committee will be focusing on renewing and revamping the sponsorship and affinity programs to bring more benefits to our Chapter members.

For a list of current Chapter Sponsors and Affinity partners, and the discounts offered to HRPYR members, please visit us at www.hrpyr.org

Want to grow YOUR business?

Contact the Marketing team at marketing@hrpyr.org or call Bridget Carter, Director of Business Development at 416 283 9070 if you are interested in advertising, or in partnership or sponsorship opportunities with HRPYR.

We have opportunities available for advertising at meetings or on the website, as well as for Chapter and special event sponsorship, including the Annual Golf Tournament, Annual Volunteer/CHRP Recognition, and a new Annual Excellence in Human Resources York Region Gala Event launching in 2010.

Want great exposure? Give us a call!

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You asked – we listened.

HRPYR is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of new exciting services being offered to benefit the members of HRPYR and their families – voluntary Home, Automobile, Critical Illness and MEDOC ® Travel Insurance plans provided through Johnson Inc.

Johnson Inc. (www.johnson.ca), a Canadian company established in 1880, is one of the country’s largest insurance brokers and consultants, and a leader in providing insurance plans to organizations like the Human Resources Professionals of York Region.

Watch for details and additional information – coming to your inbox soon!

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The current issue of The Family Caregiver Newsmagazine focuses on how to prepare ourselves for this future, the conversations we should have now and the preparations we should make so our children do not have to face a similar burden.

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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

Insurance provides the best protection for those bitten
by the travel bug

Each year, thousands of Canadians make a run across the border in search of U.S. bargains on everything from clothes and shoes to electronics and appliances. To prepare, they ready their passports and other identification, pack snacks, portable DVD players for the kids, and a roadside emergency kit.

Yet travel insurance — one of the most crucial components of any visit across the border — is often forgotten, which could result in thousands of dollars in medical fees for a traveller should a medical emergency arise.

Most of us don’t realize provincial health plans don’t cover the full cost of medical expenses incurred outside of Canada.

Without proper protection, a quick, out-of-province trip to visit the in-laws at their cottage, or a weekend excursion to Buffalo for some cross-border shopping, could turn into a financial disaster.

Travel insurance can be a complex purchase to consider. To ensure proper, comprehensive coverage, it’s important to consider your personal situation before buying a policy that might not meet your requirements.

For example, travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are often surprised to discover medical emergencies for that condition are exempt from their insurance policy. In addition, travel insurance can often come with age limitations, particularly for those over the age of 65 or, in some cases, 76.

Attention to the insured person’s responsibilities is equally important. Some policies have co-payment clauses, which ask the insured person to pay for a percentage of the total claim. For some claims this may be a negligible amount, but for others it could mean thousands of dollars in unexpected co-payment fees.

Those who do happen to end up in the hospital while travelling shouldn’t get too comfortable. Extended stays are generally not covered by many travel insurance policies, nor are treatments that can be delayed until a traveller returns to Canada.

In addition to health coverage, travellers would be wise to secure trip
cancellation, interruption or delay insurance, particularly if they have pre-booked arrangements, such as flights or hotel reservations.

While there’s much to consider, insurance providers can make it easier for consumers by providing them with comprehensive insurance policies that remove some of the guesswork.

For example, MEDOC travel insurance, offered through Johnson Inc. allows consumers to cover all their bases. Eligible expenses for medical emergencies are covered up to $5 million and the policy allows expenses to be paid directly to medical providers where possible. The multi-lingual assistance hotline can help you anywhere in the world and direct you to a nearby medical provider. If you’re a frequent traveller, an annual, multi-trip plan is available and may be significantly more cost-effective than purchasing insurance for each trip separately.

Regardless of the plan you choose, be sure you’re well protected when travelling outside your province of residence. Without the proper precautions, a quick getaway could swiftly turn into a financial nightmare.

For more information, contact Johnson Inc. at 1.866.606.3362, and mention that you are a Human Resources Professionals of York Region member.

MEDOC® is a registered trademark of Johnson Inc. MEDOC® is underwritten by Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada and is administered by Johnson Inc. Johnson Inc. and Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada share common ownership.