march29, 2017

The SSVA SHRM Chapter met on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at 11:30 AM, at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).  Chris Wilson called the meeting to order.  

1. Chris Wilson called the meeting to order and allowed members to introduce their guests, who were welcomed by Chris.   Chris acknowledged our March birthdays and huge congratulation was extended to Ron Schmidt for obtaining his PHR.

    

2. The Chapter observed a moment of silence and reflection in honor of those dealing with so much in Texas and Louisiana. 

1. We will be continuing our RADA Fundraiser starting today through our September Meeting.  Many members expressed interest and were unable to participate last time.  Catalogs can be picked up on your way or by reaching out to our Co-Secretary, Lisa Hines.  Additionally, orders can be turned in at the September Chapter Meeting or sooner to Lisa Hines.  Orders will be ready for pickup after the September Meeting or Lisa will bring them to the October Chapter Meeting.  If you have any questions please reach out to a board member.

1. Ronnie Pannell, President-Elect, reminded everyone that October will be election time for positions that will be up for election in 2018 and encouraged our members to consider becoming a board member.  He will be sending out an email in a week that will include more details and job descriptions.  Nominations and elections will be held at our October Chapter Meeting.  If you are interested and have questions please chat with a board member who is currently serving in that board position.

1. Many of our chapter presentations this year have not been certified for continuing education credits and the board is very sorry.  It was an oversight and the board is moving rapidly to remedy the problem.  More information will be share shortly to our chapter members on a way to gain credits for these sessions.  Chris Wilson, President, was very apologetic to the membership and committed to getting this fixed asap.  More to come.

No board reports in August.

Chris Wilson introduced our presenter Petrina Carter. 

Speakers Presentation Topic:  Implicit Bias

• Bias is subjective preference toward a particular viewpoint or belief that prevents a person from maintaining objectivity.
• We have biases and will always have biases. They reside deep in our subconscious, formed at an early age by exposure to direct or indirect messages.
• Petrina reviewed several examples of bias
  • Beauty Bias – research shows that job candidates who are more attractive physically have substantially higher odds of being hired.
  • Similar to Me Effect – unconscious tendency to favor people who are physically and professionally similar to them.
• There are biases in recruiting, hiring, mentoring, job assignments, training opportunities, promotion decisions, choosing board members, listening to people’s ideas, and performance reviews.
• Ways to combat bias
  • Recognize that as human beings, our brains make mistakes without us even knowing it.
  • Reframe the conversation to focus on fair treatment and respect, and away from discrimination and protected classes.
  • Gather feedback
  • Continual D&I education
  • Identify, support and collaborate to provide effective programs that increase diversity, such as company sponsored Employee Resource Groups.
  • Check job descriptions for biases
  • Recruit outside your comfort zone.  Implicit bias can encourage employers to stay in their comfort zone when it comes to having employees with the same cultural background not only encourages negative processes such as cultures of secrecy and group think, it also conveys to qualified outsides that they shouldn’t even bother applying.
  • Evaluate every resume the same way.
  • Continually analyze your processes for bias
• You can take a bias assessment that will help you look at your own biases.  It is part of a Harvard study with over 2 million participants thus far.  Go to http://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeattest.html
• Petrina then took questions and closed her presentation.

•  There was a 50/50 drawing Door Prize drawing.

Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:06 pm.