From the desk of the Executive Director

As Executive Director, let me welcome you to the New York State Society for Human Resource Management, Inc. (normally referred to as the "State Council"). On this web site is a great deal of information about who we are and our activities, so please browse around.

The New York State SHRM is your link between our 18 state chapters in New York and national SHRM. We strive to serve the over 12,000 human resource professionals in New York State who are members of national SHRM and/or a local chapter affiliated with SHRM. We do this by promoting the human resource profession throughout the State, and by conducting professional development activities in co-sponsorship with many local state chapters.

The State Council provides a strong legislative initiative. Just as national provides access to US legislators and lobbies on behalf of HR issues, the State Council provides regular legislative updates through our State Legislative director. Each year, in April, our legislative director hosts a "Visit Albany Day". Participants have access to our state legislators during this event.

Our annual pinnacle event is our Annual State Conference. During a three-day period, HR professionals have an opportunity to learn basic and advanced HR topics, best practices, meet the largest assembly of HR vendors in the state, and network with each other. This year's conference will be held in Saratoga Springs from July 18 to July 20, 2004. For further information visit www.nysshrm.org/events.html.

Our Internet site www.nysshrm.org is our online resource. You can use this site as a starting point for all of your HR searches because it has links to SHRM National and local chapters in the state. It contains the contact information for all committee leaders and other leaders in the State. Through links with chapter web sites you can learn about activities in your local area. The national Internet site www.shrm.org is clearly the best place for any HR professional to find the latest and most comprehensive information. I encourage you to visit these sites often.

The chapters in the state are the backbone of SHRM. We encourage all SHRM members to join their local chapter. Check www.nysshrm.org/chapters.html for contacts and information on joining a chapter near you.

Finally, I urge chapter leaders to attend our quarterly meetings. You are a very important part of the State Council. At each of these meetings, time is devoted to chapter activities and reports. Each chapter is assigned a District Director who is available for assistance along with the State Executive Director.

Above all, whether you are a member of an SHRM chapter or a National SHRM member, I encourage you to participate in the programs of our State Society for Human Resource Management and look forward to working with all of you.

Robin McConnell

Executive Director, New York SHRM, Inc. (the "State Council")