HR news and updates from across  Maine
Fall 2015
Greetings, Maine HR!

In our last newsletter, I was speaking of signs of spring and now, in what seems a blink of an eye, the leaves are slowly starting to change!  September sure has been a beautiful month!  With the month of September, it also means that local SHRM chapter meetings are back in full swing.  There are some amazing topics being presented in the remainder of the year and if you don't already attend chapter meetings, I urge you to check them out.  Visit our local chapter page for a link to each chapter's website. Chapter boards work exceptionally hard at offering informational and valuable topics.


MESHRM just had a full council meeting this past Friday, September 25 and it was another great in- person meeting as we set goals and priorities for the council related to our mission and vision. Our  group of volunteers is fabulous and as the year starts to draw to a close, I am already missing some  of our members who's positions will be coming to an end. With that said, we are already making plans  for 2016!

But coming up much sooner, in just a little less than a week, employers will be coming together to  celebrate their accomplishments of being named a 2015 Best Place to Work in Maine. This designation has  become an honor for many employers in Maine through the last 10 years. Two of our council members,  Jodie Griffith from Intermed and Dave Vasconselos from ProSearch (as well as their small committee),  have been working extremely hard on making this year's celebration event one to remember. It is the 
10th anniversary of this wonderful program in Maine. I would like to thank both Dave and Jodi for their  hard work and countless volunteer hours on making this night special for all of the deserving employers  in Maine.

The SHRM Maine State Council recently joined 49 other state councils and 307 SHRM chapters as well as  SHRM strategic affiliate, the Council for Global Immigration, by signing onto SHRM's September 4  comment letter in response to the proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Click here  to read SHRM's final comment letter highlighting concerns in three categories: the new salary  threshold, the automatic annual increases to the salary threshold and the potential changes to the  duties test. Once the regulatory changes occur, the Council will be looking to take a lead in helping to  educate employers in Maine on the changes and compliance.  In the interim, check out SHRM's preliminary To-Do List regarding the proposed overtime rule.

MESHRM is currently looking to fill a few openings that we have for next year. We are looking for a  Secretary, someone to take on the role of SHRM Foundation Director and manage our annual auction at  the Maine HR Convention in May, a College Relations Director and a Website/Communications Director. 

If you have any interest in learning more about any of these positions, please contact me at  mbenner@damariscottabank.com. I would love to chat with you about the positions and what they 
entail specifically. Volunteering for our profession is a truly rewarding experience and helps to bring  more to the HR Profession in Maine.

If you are not familiar with MESHRM or our Chapters, please take a few minutes to visit our website and  look around. You can also find links to all of the Chapters, the DHC and MSHHRA.

I hope to see many of you at Strategic HR New England in October!

Best regards, 
Marcia Benner
Director, Maine SHRM State Council 2015-2016
 
Have you joined the HR Evolution?
In following SHRM's mission in serving and advancing the HR profession, the next generation of competency based certification has arrived!

The new certifications, SHRM Certified Professional and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP) was built on the BoCK, Body of Competency and Knowledge which provides a full representation of who we are as a profession, and what we have to offer our employers. This new certification will demonstrate for HR professionals who we are, what we do, and why it matters. Simply put -- it's our value proposition!

If you are already currently certified by HRCI, you can earn the appropriate credentials FREE by completing the Pathway. Over 60,000 HR professionals have already earned their specific designation. You've worked hard for your PHR and/or SPHR and SHRM demonstrates recognition of that by offering this great opportunity. Please don't let it pass by! If you earned either your PHR or SPHR prior to January 31, 2015,
you have less than 90 days--until December 31, 2015 to take the pathway!

Not certified yet? You can register today to sit for the exam window of Dec 1, 2015 - Feb 15, 2016. Registration is already open!

For more information about SHRM certification please visit the dedicated website at http://www.shrm.org/certification/pages/default.aspx or please reach out to your local chapter or to the State Council.

FMI on local certification prep courses:

Join those who have already certified in 2015.  Don't see yourself on this list and have gotten certified?   Email and let us know!

Barbara Lovejoy, SHRM-CP, PHR
MESHRM Certification Director
 
MESHRM Announces Scholarship Awards for 2015
The SHRM Maine State Council will be awarding scholarships to HR Professionals to assist towards their degree, an HR Certification or to provide financial assistance to attend a continuing education seminar or conference. The maximum scholarship award will be $500. Every year the Maine State Council awards scholarships to HR professionals to assist toward their educational degree, an HR certification or to provide financial assistance to attend a continuing education seminar or conference. In 2015 the scholarship committee received more applications than in any other year showing the growing commitment of HR Professionals to life-long continuing education and credentialing in the Human Resources Profession. The 2015 MESHRM HR Educational Scholarship Award winners are as follows:

Brenda Bowden, HR Director at HealthReach Community Centers awarded $500 toward SHRM CP/SCP Certification Course at USM.

Sarah Gilbride, HR Director at Davis Long Term Care Group awarded $500 toward coursework in HR Management at UMA.

Joan Hanscom, Human Resource Assistant for State of Maine awarded $250 toward attendance at the 2016 MESHRM HR Conference.

Annette McLaggan, Human Resource Manager for the State of Maine Office of Attorney General awarded $500 toward SHRM CP/SCP Certification Course at Kaplan University.

Chelsea Pelletier, HR Specialist at United Cerebral Palsy of Maine awarded $350 toward SHRM CP Exam and Application Fee.

Karen Wyman, HR Manager at Seacoast Security awarded $400 toward SHRM Certification Course.

Congratulations to all the scholarship award winners!

Barry Martin, SHRM-SCP & SPHR; Maine State Council District Director and 2015

Scholarship Chair.
 
A New Report: The Value of Experience in the Workplace
It's finally fall again in the beautiful Pine Tree State and along with the season's delightful signs of color and change, this time of year can represent an opportunity to change old outworn habits and see things in a new way.  We certainly have that opportunity this year.  If you are still working or are a business owner, this may hold especially true for you.

While the aging work force in our state is often cited as a gloomy statistic, a new report from AARP suggests the opposite is closer to the truth.  This report, released last month, debunks myths about age 50+ workers, showing that they have productive advantages which often makes them a "critical component" of a successful business.  

The report, "A Business Case for Workers Age 50+:  A Look at the Value of Experience 2015,"* finds that the business case for employing workers age 50+ has grown even stronger in the last 10 years, reinforcing our 2005 report which found that these experienced workers are highly motivated, productive and cost effective.

Upon releasing this new report, our CEO, Jo Ann Jenkins, stated "Leading employers across all industries value the expertise and experience of workers 50+ and know that recruiting, retaining and engaging them will improve their business results.  Just as today's 50+ population is disrupting aging and eroding negative stereotypes, today's 50+ workforce is adding value by exhibiting traits that are highly sought after in today's economy."

The report comes at a time when experienced workers are playing an increasing role in the workplace.  In 2002, workers age 50+ made up 24.6 percent of the workforce.  By 2012, they were 32.3 percent.  And by 2022, they are projected to represent 35.4 percent of the total workforce.  Interestingly, according to the report, Maine has the highest percentage of workers 50+ in the nation with 41.5 percent, narrowly edging out New Hampshire which has 41.4 percent.

What does this mean to Maine? Older workers constitute more than 52% of the total economy of Maine, and the time could not be better for the state to rededicate its efforts to the notion of helping residents remain in their own homes and communities. This is an exciting time for our state!  

Many companies and recruiters already recognize the benefits of employing 50+ workers. Older employees are typically loyal, maintain a strong work ethic, have lower rates of turnover and absenteeism, are dependable in crises, and are committed to quality work.  In 2012, AARP launched an interactive tool called Work Reimagined, www.workreimagined.org , to serve as a gateway to the resources one needs to get the right job.  In partnership with LinkedIn, Work Reimagined also showcases employers who are not only hiring, but who value the skill set of experienced workers. This is one tool that can help Maine employers meet experienced workers in our state.

Rather than a burden to society, the 50+ population should be recognized as a primary engine of economic growth. There can be hurdles in our need to both attract younger workers to Maine, and to keep them here.  However, it seems equally true that our aging workforce could be among our greatest assets, just as it should be.

Jane Margesson
AARP Maine Communications Director

 
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Strategic HR New England
JUST 15 SEATS REMAIN, REGISTER SOON! 

 
S tate Council and Chapter Leaders enjoy a special discounted rate!  Email us  to receive the discount code.

An Experience, not just an event. Join New England's Top HR Talent in 2015!

Strategic HR New England enters year FOUR to great critical acclaim. We engage a senior-level, strategic-thinking audience in every aspect of the conference. If you are looking for a unique experience in the world of HR, have we got the conversations for you! A Big Idea Sunday, a Strategic Monday, and a Bring it Home Tuesday--all rolled into one strategic HR experience at the historic Omni Mount Washington Hotel.

Visit the Retreat website.  Look at the business case for attending. Check out the best keynoters from across the country. And take a look at the business partners who help make all this possible.

With special thanks to the SHRM State Councils
 in New England.

NOT ON OUR 
EMAIL LIST?  Email us and we'll add you!
 
 
SAVE THE DATES FOR THE 
2016 MAINE HR CONVENTION!



Over 820 of Maine's HR community flocked to the Samoset Resort this past May. We expect another sellout year in 2016. Mark your calendars and earmark your training budgets. Join us for all four days or any mixture of days. SHRM and SHRM chapter members enjoy a member discount. Registration will open in January. HOLD A SEAT FOR ME list begins now! 

Email and send us a request to join the HRC 2016 Hold-A-Seat list.

Event details and the full 2015 schedule available online. 2016 info will be provided soon.

NOT ON OUR EMAIL LIST? 
Email us and we'll add you to our list.

Follow us on social media for updates and  pre-conference networking:
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter # MEHRC16|  YouTube
 
Leadership Development Programs for Your Employees

The Maine Community Foundation is the only community foundation in Maine.  We were founded more than 30 years ago, and we have awarded more than $250 million in grants to projects and communities, primarily in Maine. We have more than 1,500 funds and $420 million in assets.

Over the years, we have focused on helping many non-profit organizations build their capacity to do good work.   In 2016, we will be working closely with the many regional and statewide leadership development organizations in Maine.  We are focusing attention in this area because we believe Maine can benefit from having more skilled and talented leaders mobilizing people and resources to effect positive change in our state.
As we begin this work with the staff and directors of leadership development programs, we are planning to provide data and information about how program alumni view their experiences and what employers are looking for in leadership development programming.

You - as human resources professionals, CEOs or other senior management professionals- are often the ones making decisions about what leadership development programs your employees participate in, or making recommendations to staff about their options.
We would love to hear from you about what programs your employees have participated in, what you are hoping they'll gain from leadership development programs, and what is on your wish-list for leadership development programming.

Please take a few minutes to complete a brief survey, using this link:


Your responses will be anonymous and will only be shared with the leadership development programs in the aggregate as we work together to grow and improve leadership development in Maine. We thank you in advance for your help in shaping our work with leadership development community.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact:
Maggie Drummond-Bahl
(877)-700-6800 ext. 2213