HR Professionals Find Support, Networking in Tri-Valley

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

If you are a Human Resources professional seeking support and networking opportunities, you do not need to drive over a mountain or across a bridge to find a club. There is a local chapter of the Northern California Human Resources Association here in the Tri-Valley: the Greater Tri-Valley Chapter of NCHRA.

"We want to get the word out that we are here, where you work or live," says Chapter Chair Terry Weinstein, a Compensation Principal for PG&E in San Francisco, who lives in Pleasanton. "The Greater Tri-Valley Chapter is a great resource to HR Professionals in the Tri-Valley area and beyond, providing networking opportunities and professional information." The chapter serves NCHRA members in Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Fremont, Newark and Union City.

NCHRA, with 3,700 members, is one of the largest chapter affiliates of the Society for Human Resource Management, a worldwide organization. According to its mission statement, NCHRA provides "leadership and support for the development of the HR professional, to serve as an advocate of the human resources profession, and to identify and communicate emerging issues and their impact on the successful management of a diverse workforce." Its goals include being a leading source of practice knowledge for HR professionals with a focus on California-specific information. Members are encouraged to participate in leadership and volunteer roles that are critical to fulfilling the NCHRA mission.

"The Tri-Valley Chapter has about 180 members, compared to the San Francisco Chapter with about 1,000, so our members have more opportunity to get involved in chapter activities and volunteering," explains Weinstein. "Though we may not be as large as the San Francisco Chapter, we still have local programming on topics such as compensation, health spending accounts and other HR issues."

The chapter also hosts several networking and social events during the year. In June, it hosted the Annual Networking Social which includes members of other Bay Area chapters. But Weinstein explains that this event goes beyond networking, "This popular event also helps raise money for local charities."

Meetings are held each month, alternating between breakfast and lunch hours at the Radisson Hotel in Dublin, with the exception of July and August. There is no September meeting due to the annual NCHRA conference. Meetings and social events are open to anyone interested in learning more about NCHRA.

To find out more about the Greater Tri-Valley Chapter, visit NCHRA's website at www.nchra.org, click on Regional Chapters, then the Greater Tri-Valley Chapter link. For information about membership, contact the chapter's Membership Chair, Scott Blevins, at scott_blevins@adp.com.

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