HR Professionals Build 'Real' Networks at Tri-Valley NCHRA Meetings

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

For Human Resource professionals, the problems faced are real. "Hiring. Leave Laws. Benefits. Legal Compliance. You can't turn to Facebook for answers to these complicated issues," points out Amy Powers, Marketing & Communications Manager at the Northern California HR Association (NCHRA). Long considered the original social network, associations like the NCHRA provide an unparalleled opportunity to be part of a community and get advice from real people.

NCHRA is a strong professional organization that offers HR specialists the ongoing network and education they need. Based in San Francisco, NCHRA is the largest chapter affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management, a worldwide organization. Locally, the Greater Tri-Valley region serves the cities of Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon, Danville, Fremont, Newark, and Union City.

"The Tri-Valley region is one of our biggest with more than 800 members," Powers reports. "Along with our other 10 regions, NCHRA proudly supports a community of more than 30,000 HR professionals throughout the Bay Area."

Regional meetings include 30 minutes of built-in networking time followed by a 1.5 hour educational program. For 2013, the meetings will explore the concept of HR as Business Partner and "dive deep into the skill sets needed to achieve this much coveted role," Powers relates. For example, among the upcoming topics to be addressed at the Tri-Valley meetings are "Designing Strategic Initiatives," presented by David Kovacovich, Business Development Director at BI Worldwide and an expert in employee engagement, on March 13; and "Leveraging Influence and Motivating Others," by Jill McGillen, owner of Next Turn and a specialist in workplace and management effectiveness, on May 8. Each event qualifies for 1.5 continuing education credits for professional recertification.

Other NCHRA regions in the Bay Area often join forces to host larger learning events. The next one, on March 21 in San Francisco, is the annual Metrics and Analytics Conference - focusing on the critical need to measure the impact of work groups and how they drive an organization's fiscal results.

The association's marquee event is the HR West annual conference, which this year takes place at the Oakland Convention Center from April 22-24. The conference attracts over 600 attendees and dozens of exhibitors, while offering 90 different concurrent sessions that qualify for general recertification credits. "Not to mention, two community receptions - providing another opportunity to build your in-person network!" Powers remarks.

Tri-Valley meetings are held every other month on the second Wednesday, often alternating between morning and evening. For more information, contact Regional Chairs Jonathan Pyle at jpyle@thinkhr.com or Matt Liberatore at mliberatore@nelsonstaffing.com , or visit the organization's website at www.nchra.org .

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