Welcome to 2022!
I am so excited to serve as your president this year!
As I think about 2021 and all its challenges, I am amazed by what has been accomplished and the agility members of our profession have shown in strategically facilitating change in our organizations. We have had to quickly adapt to reimagined workplaces and, many times, a large number of remote workers. New employment laws, public health mandates, a growing talent shortage and creating strategies to promote diversity, equity and inclusion further complicated our jobs. But, as we always do, we supported each other.
I could not have implemented so many new policies and practices on the fly without relying on IPMA-HR colleagues to share insights and resources. I am always so amazed with the amount of quality policies, advice and encouragement Association members share with each other through the online Policy Toolkit, our Engage platform and other networking opportunities.
Delivering for You
Last year was a productive one for IPMA-HR. Our membership was well-served by a variety of webinars and resources to augment their abilities to provide proactive and strategic human resources services to their organizations. The number and scope of those tools grew in line with the tenets of the HR20/20 Report, which serves as a roadmap to transformative human resources practice. Developing new products and services has kept the Association focused on all of the responsibilities members currently need to meet.
We also held a successful Annual Business Meeting, during which we recognized two colleagues and one organization for contributions to and achievements in public sector human resources. A comprehensive membership assessment was conducted, and at the local level, our regions and chapters provided wonderful learning opportunities and networking events to support excellence in practicing human resources.
Seeking New and Better Ways to Serve
IPMA-HR is an organization with an amazing capacity to serve its members, and now is an exciting time for me to be of service to the Association. Just like the organizations our members support, IPMA-HR is embarking on changes intended to make it possible to guide this evolving profession.
A big first step of the change initiative was conducting the membership survey that many of you completed in November last year. I thank the hundreds of members who participated. Your responses provided valuable feedback to ensure IPMA-HR continues finding ways to meet the present and future needs of members.
The fact that so many of you took the time to complete the survey shows how much you care about the Association and are invested in the ongoing success of IPMA-HR. More detailed information on the feedback you shared and how IPMA-HR will use the survey results to benefit all members will be published soon.
My goals as 2022 IPMA-HR president are as follows:
- Ensure that the results of the member assessment and other organizational data are used to inform strategic planning and the setting of priorities for IPMA-HR.
- Ensure that IPMA-HR has a clear value proposition that spells out how the organization benefits the membership.
- Continue the collaborative leadership process with the past president and president-elect in a 3-P partnership to maintain progress on the work that has already started to assess and determine strategies for IPMA-HR.
- Engage in meaningful dialog with leaders across chapters and regions to collaborate on ideas that will strengthen our organization and effectively engage potential new members.
To be clear, these goals are truly commitments to continue work begun in 2021 and carrying on through 2023. IPMA-HR Executive Director Cara Woodson Welch is doing a tremendous job ensuring Association leaders have multiple sources of data to facilitate the development of strategies and priorities that address members’ needs and are cognizant of internal and external factors to allow the Association to flourish. I wish to thank her and her team for the excellent work they have been doing.
Working Together
I am particularly excited to work with IPMA-HR Executive Council members this year. They are a passionate group of individuals who care about the organization and are ready to serve.
I must also thank past presidents Cheryl Cepelak, IPMA-SCP, and Pam Dollard, IPMA-SCP. Their leadership, guidance and friendship make me feel better prepared to assume this role. I will also work closely with president-elect Cheryl Lewis-Smith, M.A., PHR, IPMA-SCP. Her energy and passion are sure to add to the power of our 3-P approach to Association leadership.
IPMA-HR has provided me with so many tools to effectively lead with a strategic focus that aligns with the unique and wonderful aspects of the public sector. I’m so proud to be given the opportunity to serve our organization in this capacity. I am hopeful to have the opportunity to engage with many of you over the rest of this year.
Here’s to 2022! Let’s have a great 12 months of learning, growing, sharing and leading.
Jennifer Fairweather, M.A., SHRM-SCP, IPMA-SCP, PHR
jfairwea@jeffco.us
01 January 2022
Category
HR News Article