Welcome to BSHRM

During the past two years, your Board has completed several initiatives to understand what is important to our membership. The membership survey completed in 2007 provided insight into programs offered during 2006. That survey also pointed out the need to conduct an internal assessment of who we are as an organization. The Board engaged the services of Hodges & Associates to complete the internal assessment.

The result of the internal assessment identified several important areas for improvement:

• The Board recognized the need to establish a strategic oversight team comprised of senior HR leadership to assist with guiding this volunteer organization. The concept of an Advisory Council was proposed to and approved by our membership in 2007.
•  We will accomplish our branding goals through a variety of initiatives, including marketing the association with our tagline: "Because People Matter".
• The website was not meeting the needs of our membership. We are pleased to announce that a more robust, interactive website was launched March, 2008.
• Meeting the needs of a very diverse membership can be a challenge. However, two key themes were identified by our members: education and networking. The Board is committed to ensuring that our programming incorporates these two items.
• Engagement of our membership is a goal of the Board. Expanded volunteer opportunities will be created to further engage our membership. A focal point has been created to connect and monitor the involvement of our membership. Get involved - this is your organization!

If you are a current member, we hope that you will be pleased with the expanded services being offered to our members. If you are not a current member, we hope that you will take a moment to browse our website to learn more about our organization and the resources available to you.

History of BSHRM

Our local chapter actually pre-dates the formation of the Society for Human Resource Management. BSHRM's origins date back to 1943, when a small group of personnel professionals formed the Birmingham Society for Personnel Administration (BSPA) as a 501 (c)(6) non-profit professional association. Motivated by the desire for camaraderie and the need for sharing ideas and information during a turbulent time in the history of Birmingham and our nation, the current membership continues to embrace its original mission.

Five years later in 1948, the American Society for Personnel Administration (ASPA) was formed in Ohio by 27 volunteer members. This organization would eventually develop into a national association through the affiliation of local chapters with shared missions.

On November 10, 1965, BSPA affiliated with ASPA and was assigned Chapter # 0072.

ASPA changed its name to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in 1989 to reflect the modern role of human resource management, and its broadened scope and influence in business and politics, both domestically and internationally. Today, over 500 affiliated chapters exist in the USA and throughout the world.

To reflect its national affiliation, BSPA in 1989 changed its name to the Birmingham Society for Human Resource Management (BSHRM).

In 2007, both SHRM and BSHRM concurrently embarked upon comprehensive branding efforts to upgrade and expand the mission and scope of services offered to members and to address the emerging needs of an increasingly diverse membership by improving inter-organizational relations and achieving a stronger presence in the community at large.

Volunteer Leadership- The Key to Success

BSHRM has a strong history of volunteer leadership that has fueled chapter growth, professional development, and community service.

Chapter Presidents - Past and Present

Chapter Administrators
In 1995, BSHRM became the first Alabama SHRM Chapter with paid staff when it hired Janet Ellis as its first chapter administrator. In 2004, Jayna Welch became the chapter's second administrator.

AWARDS

Superior Merit Award Program

The Superior Merit Award is bestowed annually by SHRM to recognize those chapters who have achieved excellence in chapter operations. Criteria for the award include four major categories: (1) legislative and community support; (2) chapter operations, (3) professional development, and (4) activities advancing the profession.

BSHRM has consistently received the Superior Merit Award every year since 1992 in recognition of outstanding volunteer leadership and chapter performance. If you are interested in volunteering, please check out the committees and let us know!