Volunteer Opportunities

BSHRM is managed and operated primarily by chapter members who volunteer their time and expertise to further the association's mission. Chapter members can realize many benefits from volunteer service:

  • Develop your professional network by meeting and working with your fellow HR professionals.
  • Gain leadership experience and expertise by serving as a volunteer leader.
  • Broaden your HR skills by arranging and participating in professional development opportunities.

If you are interested in volunteering to serve on a committee, please contact our Chapter Administration team at  membership@bshrm.org or contact the Committee Chair directly. Our current committees are:

Certification and Mentoring: Provides assistance and support members who seek certification as PHR (Professional Human Resources) or SPHR (Senior Professional Human Resources). Find more information under the Certification section of the website. Individuals who enjoy teaching, mentoring and training as well as organizing events and activities are encouraged to participate. Chair of this committee is Randy Miller, PHR. 

Communications: Publicizes chapter activities, chapter members, events and increases the visibility of our chapter in the business and local communities. Members who enjoy writing articles, interviewing people, interacting with the media - papers, TV and radio and have an eye for creating a public relations event should join this committee. Chair of this committee is April Dowling, SPHR.

Community Relations: Links our HR organization with the community at large through the Chamber, Non Profits, and various volunteer activities. Our goal is to provide expertise in the area of human resources through skill training, presentations, and helping others in need of HR assistance. Involvement in High School career programs and presentations is one activity supported by this committee. The Community Affairs Committee welcomes members who like to be involved in civic activities. Chair of this committee is Andrea Lewis, PHR.

Finance and Administration: Oversees the budget and daily operations of BSHRM. Critical success factors include responding to member's needs and appropriate allocation of funds. Additionally, this committee reviews procedures for handling accounts in a fiscally responsible manner. Members who like innovation, building structure for supporting a large volunteer organization and who have ideas for streamlining systems are encouraged to join us. Want to volunteer? Chair of this committee is Karen Kelly, CCP, CBP.

Legal and Legislative Affairs: Promotes legislative initiatives at the state and federal level. Committee members lobby our legislators in many ways, including letter writing, visiting Congress, and creating opportunities for legislative leaders to speak to our membership. Committee members also have the responsibility of managing the bi-directional flow of information from SHRM national and the SHRM State Council. Anyone who is interested in staying on top of upcoming legislation and making an impact on legislative development should contact the Co-Chairs of this committee, Katy Willis, JD and Todd Higey, JD.

Member Services: Provides a supportive and hospitable environment for our members, and it all starts with the Member Services Committee. Member Services recruits, welcomes and educates new members; encourages member engagement and participation in volunteer activities; and promotes National SHRM membership. There are terrific benefits to being a member of BSHRM and our job is to spread the word. Being part of this committee provides a great opportunity to meet fellow HR professionals while helping the Chapter grow and meet members' professional needs.  Chair of this committee is Tracy Neeley.

Professional Development/Programs: As the hub of our annual programs and educational services, this committee solicits local and national speakers and educators to help our members become knowledgeable on current HR trends and issues. If you like thinking of fun, intellectually stimulating, creative and HR -targeted speakers and presentations, this committee welcomes you to sign up. Chair of this committee is Rosie Herdt, PHR.

Operations and Governance: This is a new position on the Board that encompasses the website, Bylaws, and the Chapter's initiatives associated with the SHRM Foundation.  The Web committee focuses on developing and maintaining the BSHRM website. Closely linked to the Communications committee, this is a great committee for those with website expertise and for members who surf the web and know what they like. Ideas and input are always welcome on the team.  The primary objective of the SHRM Foundation team is to establish the chapter as a leader in raising funds for the SHRM Foundation by developing relationships with counterparts at the state, regional and national level and creating innovative programs to inform chapter members of the Foundation benefits and purpose.  We need volunteers with some fundraising experience and/or ideas to build a team for this new function.  If anyone has an interest in the Chapter Bylaws, the website, and/or team building for the SHRM Foundation, they should contact Michael Tate, PHR.

Sponsorship: This committee is vital to the financial success of BSHRM. In addition to their financial support, our sponsors have the opportunity to showcase their services to the general membership at our annual vendor fair and at monthly meetings. Chair of this committee is Stephanie Ochsenhirt, PHR.

Diversity: This committee delivers a substantive inclusion and workforce diversity related program for the Chapter each November.  The chair of this committee is Rick Haberstroh.

Leadership Academy:  BSHRM's premium program is our Leadership Academy which hosts at least a dozen rising HR leaders for a year-long professional development opportunity featuring peer-led projects, expert classroom education and over twenty-one (21) HRCI re-certification credits. This program is for the HR professional that plans to stay in the industry. Co-chairs are graduates of our Academy, Angie Saia, SPHR and Tricia Wells, SPHR.

How much time does it take to volunteer?

This answer will vary, but there are opportunities for everyone that is interested:

  • Committee volunteers: Time will vary from as little as 2-3 hours per month to more depending upon the committee’s activities
  • Committee leader volunteer: Time commitment could range from 5-10 hours per month depending upon the committee.
  • Chapter Leader volunteer: Time commitment could range from 5-15 hours per month depending upon the leadership area.
  • Chapter President-Elect: Time commitment could range from 10-20 hours per month.
  • Chapter President:  Time commitment could potentially be 20-40 hours per month.

BSHRM Volunteer Competencies:

Attributes that define chapter volunteers and volunteer leaders

 

Why volunteer for BSHRM/SHRM?  Because you want to, not because you have to.

 

The right reasons to volunteer are:

  • To give back to the profession.
  • To build a professional (and personal) network that will be of value to you in your job.
  • To improve influencing skills in a volunteer setting.

 

The wrong reasons to volunteer are:

  • To solicit business for your employer.
  • Solely to look for a job.
  • To have something to put on your resume besides your employment history.
  • Because your boss put it on your goals, or your professional development plan.

 

Volunteer Attributes:  BSHRM Volunteers demonstrate these attributes:

  • Committed to BSHRM and volunteerism – volunteers for the right reasons, not just to solicit business or promote themselves. 
  • Organized, follows through on BSHRM commitments – doesn’t over commit.  If unable to continue current volunteer commitment, handles reduction or withdrawal professionally.
  • Represents the Chapter positively and professionally.
  • Works well with other volunteers by respecting diverse strengths, commitment levels, positions and approaches to issues.

 

Volunteer Leadership Attributes:  BSHRM Volunteer Leaders demonstrate these attributes in addition to the Volunteer Attributes listed above:

  • Demonstrates positive leadership.
  • Is an effective and constant volunteer recruiter – presents the volunteer role in a position way to generate enthusiasm (sets the hook), persuades people to volunteer.
  • Delegates and then holds volunteers accountable – in a nice way!
  • Generates ideas, has a vision of what could be, unconstrained by perceived practical limitations.
  • Recognizes the contributions of volunteers.
  • Manages volunteer performance by objectively assessing volunteer performance and tactfully addressing poor performance or unacceptable behavior.
  • Builds a sustainable organization through good recruiting and placement of volunteers in suitable roles.

 
 
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