SHRM board approves new awards program: plus, new HR games champion crowned

HR Magazine, August, 2004

At its meeting in New Orleans in conjunction with the 56th Annual Conference and Exposition, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Board of Directors approved a review of SHRM's existing awards and the development of a comprehensive new awards program to focus the spotlight on the significant leadership and strategic abilities of HR professionals.

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As a result of the changes, all SHRM awards will visibly support the organization's critical goals of serving the HR professional and advancing the profession, board members said.

SHRM currently offers more than a dozen awards. The Society has grown significantly, and a number of organizational changes have occurred since the last comprehensive review of its awards. As a result, board members believed that it would be appropriate to take a new look at how the Society honors HR professionals and organizations.

Some existing awards will be eliminated in the process. In developing the new awards program, an effort will be made to include a variety of categories to honor specific HR programs and initiatives within organizations, based on solid results and metrics.

SHRM conducted a survey of members in January to gauge the knowledge of and the participation in the awards it currently bestows. The survey determined that most SHRM members are not aware of many of the awards that the Society offers. In addition, it found that there are a variety of reasons why members have not applied for awards. Among them: They weren't aware of the award or the call for nominations; they were too busy to complete a nomination; they didn't know anyone who would merit a nomination; and they didn't find the contest suitable to their needs or interests.

However, the survey did reveal that most members would be motivated to submit a nomination for an award to highlight the value of positive workplace practices or to support a chapter or state council. Half of survey respondents said they would consider making a nomination to create a public relations opportunity. Other reasons cited by SHRM members for participating in an awards program included sharing HR best practices and gaining recognition as a leader in the profession.

The board also voted to maintain professional member dues for the 2005 program year at the current annual amount of $160, marking the 14th consecutive year of no increase in dues.

In addition, the board approved moving forward on marketing products, services and membership to targeted priority countries as part of its international strategy.

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In other conference news, Cornell University teammates Maggie Lorenc, Steve Horowitz and Ted Holmquist won the National HR Games competition. This was Cornell's second win in three years. California State University at Stanislaus took second place. The HR Games--a quiz-show-style competition--helps collegiate HR students prepare for the Professional in Human Resources certification exam, and has grown over the past six years into a tiered competition on local, state and national levels.

Meanwhile, this year's Annual Conference had the highest international attendance in the event's history, providing a valuable resource to domestic and international attendees alike.

"We've found that the presence of HR professionals from around the world enriches the program for our domestic participants because they are able to learn from you," said Susan R. Meisinger, SPHR, president and CEO of SHRM, at a welcoming reception. Nearly 500 HR professionals from more than 40 nations and U.S. territories, including delegations from Australia, the Bahamas, Canada and South Korea, attended this year's conference.

Online Resources

Visit the online version of this article at www.shrm.org/hrnews/04conference for further coverage of conference sessions, speakers and news.

--HR NEWS STAFF

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