|
|
By Phyllis Shurn-Hannah, Manager, Northeast Region |
Staffing continues to be a challenge for most companies. The baby boomers are starting to retire, and companies have more jobs than people available with the required skills. No longer is staffing an entry-level position in companies as it was in the 80s and 90s: they are now required to have experience in this competency in order to positively impact the bottom-line of companies. Due to the experience of most professional recruiters, they are more sought after by companies than HR generalist staffing professionals. Recruiters have different educational and networking agendas than HR generalists/staffing professionals.
SHRM’s Employment Management Association is SHRM’s only special interest chapter (SIC) and special interest group (SIG) focusing on the needs of recruiters and staffing professionals. This is a resource for internal staffing professionals and recruiters to gain the knowledge they need to become more productive.
Why have we changed the EMA name?
The EMA name has been changed to Staffing Management Association so that this group is more recognizable to potential constituents and members. SHRM, with input from the SICs and SIGs, determined that the use of Staffing Management Association more clearly defined the mission of each SIC and SIG. A new logo is now being developed and is scheduled to be unveiled in the fall of 2007 for use by all SICs and SIGs.
Many SICs and SIGs continue to use the EMA name. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2008, the EMA name will be retired and can no longer be used by any SIC or SIG. The first step for each SMA chapter is to revise their bylaws to reflect their new chapter name. SHRM will assist each SIC with required filing in their respective states to make this change, since all SICs are incorporated. This is a lengthy process and will require additional time to meet the Dec. 31, 2007, deadline. Timeliness in submitting bylaws is crucial. The bylaws name change starts this process. Chapters with EMA SIGs must also reflect the name change wherever it may be mentioned in their bylaws.
The SHRM-affiliate SICs and SIGs have bi-monthly teleconference calls the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. (ET) to share successful practices, to share basic information to help their organizations grow, and to discuss critical issues affecting this industry. All SIC and SIG leaders are invited to attend these teleconferences. There will also be a SMA pre-conference session during SHRM Leadership Conference on Thursday, in Arlington, Va. If any of your staffing leaders/directors are interested in attending these teleconferences, contact Phyllis Shurn-Hannah at phannah@shrm.org.
Chapters should also reach out to the SMA SICs and SIGs to collaborate on programming and projects. This is also another resource for chapters to look for speakers on staffing topics.