SHRM Maine State Council

SHRM Maine State Council Awarded Champion of Employee Education and Opportunity Award (Maine Employers Initiative)

Each year the Maine Development Foundation (MDF) honors a distinct few who are making an impact in the State of Maine.  The Champion of Employee Education and Opportunity, given by MDF's Maine Employers' Initiative, is awarded to a group that demonstrates leadership in providing education and career opportunities to the workforce in Maine. 

The Award to the SHRM Maine State Council was presented on September 16 at MDF's Annual Meeting at Point Lookout in Northport.  Kristine Avery, Maine SHRM State council Director accepted the award along with Deb Whitworth, the former Workforce Readiness Director for the State Council and current HRASM President, and Susan Post from SHRM Headquarters in Alexandria VA. The SHRM Maine State Council partnered with the Maine Development Foundation in 2009 to promote the Maine Employers Initiative program to employers in Maine as part of their Workforce Readiness Core Leadership Area. "There are 120 employers in Maine who are now branded through the MEI program for their commitment to take 'One More Step' toward employee education and for offering formal educational opportunities to their employees. This is of great value to employers and employees alike and for keeping jobs in the great State of Maine" said Kristine Avery. 

Welcome, Maine HR Professionals! 

To my fellow HR Professionals in Maine

It is an honor, and with great pride, that I serve as your SHRM Maine State Council Director. Our council is extremely active in executing our strategic initiatives which are aligned to our purpose of Serving the HR Professional and Advancing the HR Profession in the great State of Maine!

Strategic initiatives that we have underway include the promotion of PHR/SPHR/GPHR certification, being an advocate for workforce flexibility as part of SHRM workplace diversity efforts, to continue our partnership with the Maine Employers Initiative for workforce readiness, and to encourage SHRM membership, as well as local chapter membership, since we believe that both membership types are valuable for anyone practicing HR in Maine. Additionally, the council has two $500 scholarships available for HR related education and PHR/SPHR certification. Watch for the next HRTimes publication which will be released in May 2011. We also have begun planning for a HR Apprentice Day for HR students to job shadow with HR practitioners in the fall.  

Our volunteer leaders on the state council, and in leadership roles with the local chapters, share my passion for HR in Maine.  I greatly appreciate their dedication to our cause and to SHRM; for without them, none of the programs I described would be a success.  

I encourage you to contact me, or any member of our state council, if you have recommendations, ideas, or would like to get involved in HR in Maine. 

Blessings,
Kris Avery, SPHR
State Director - SHRM Maine State Council

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