Arrowhead Human Resources Association

Meeting Minutes

October 24, 2007

9:00a.m.-Noon

Fortune Bay Resort, Tower, MN

Cathy Pazzelli, President, opened the meeting with self-introductions. There were 22 people in attendance. The group started with informal discussion and networking on performance evaluations. Jim Laumeyer, MBA, SPHR, Human Resource Director-Douglas County was the guest speaker. The topic was “Appraise Property; not People.

Business Meeting:

Elections: Jamie Janezich, President-Elect, reviewed the election process and Board positions. Ballots for Board of Director election were handed out and the outcome was as follows:

President- Jamie Janezich

President-Elect: Amy Klima

Secretary/Treasurer: Terri Nystrom

Membership Chair: Jennifer Tiedeman

Programs Chair: Nikki Cianni

At Large Members (2): Cheryl Minter, Shari Undeland

Associate Liaisons (2): Melissa Fuller, Jill Klapatch

Congratulations to the newly elected Board of Directors. Cathy and Jamie will notify the new Board members that were not in attendance for the elections. Jamie and Cathy will hold a transitional Board Meeting with the existing Board members and newly elected members before the end of the year.

Treasurers Report: Nancy Tepovich, Secretary/Treasurer was not able to attend the meeting but Cathy & Jamie reported we have approximately $4,000 in our account but need to verify the accurate number with Nancy after expenses from the All-Day HR conference held on Oct. 10^th, 2007.

Membership Report: Karen Zupancich, Membership Chair was not able to attend the meeting but Cathy & Jamie reported we have approximately 44 paid members and about 15 of them belong to SHRM.

Legislative Update: Paul Carlson contacted Larry Bourgerie, State Council Legislative representative, for an update on legal issues. There were three items we should be aware of:

Gender Discrimination- Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. on which the Supreme Court decided in May 2007, was a landmark case in employment law. SHRM opposes the Act and you can find more information on the case on the SHRM website.

WorkPlace Flexibility- Lawmakers have introduced proposals that would further expand the FMLA’s current protections, which may include extend coverage to employers with at least 25 employees, provide six weeks of paid leave and a bill to promote the security and safety of victims of domestic and sexual violence. SHRM opposes any form of federal government mandate on employee benefits. More information can be found on the SHRM website.

Section 127 Educational Assistance- Prior to the addition of Section 127 to the IRC, only specifically job-related educational assistance could be excluded from an employee’s gross taxable income. Section 127 allows an employee to exclude from income up to $5250 per year in assistance for any type of educational course at the undergraduate and graduate level. Employers are not required to provide assistance under Section 127 to their employees. However, if an employer chooses to do so, the benefit must be offered to all employees on a non-discriminatory basis that does not favor the highly compensated. SHRM supports HR 3418 the Employee Educational Assistance Act of 2007 and would like to see companion legislation introduced in the Senate.

October 10, 2007 All Day HR Seminar- Amy Klima reported that the conference was a success. We had approximately 100 people in attendance. We had excellent speakers, increased number of vendors/exhibitors. The meeting produced $3900 with expenses at $2750 and balance of $1150. The committee recommended scholarship awards. Amy and Nikki volunteered to be on a sub-committee for Scholarship Awards. If anyone is interested in serving, please contact Amy Klima.

MN SHRM Conference report- Cathy reported that the State HR Conference was held on Oct. 14-16, 2007 in St Cloud, MN. Several members reported the speakers were top notch, variety of topics available and great prizes/exhibitors. AHRA sponsored 2 members to attend the meeting and would like to do the same for next year. The 2008 state meeting will be held in St. Cloud and Rochester in 2009.

AHRA Survey- Jamie reported that a member survey was completed in July 2007. The hot topics were: Performance Evaluations, Coaching/Discipline, H S A, Change/Diversity in WorkPlace, Interview/screening. Additional meeting topics were Work Comp, UI, EAP and legal issues; recognition.

Amy reported that today’s meeting did qualify for HRCI credits.

The next meeting is January 9, 2008 from 10:00 a.m.-noon at NHS-NSS, 227 W. Lake St., Chisholm. The topic will be Wellness and stress reduction in the Workplace, speaker: Carla Tichy - Quad City Optimal Fitness.

Meeting Adjourned at noon and participants were invited to network & have lunch paid for by AHRA.