We’ve been living in the collaboration world for the past 12-24 months and through this process we’ve learned to work together to deliver the same service level at much reduced costs.  We’ve also learned the value of unity.  Our focus ahead will be on how we can increase the service level in all regions.  Collectively, we now represent over 5,000 HR practitioners across the province and that spells “influence”.  

Now that we have aligned our shared service model, we’ve spent a lot of time this past year asking the question “what’s next?”  We hosted a number of stakeholder visioning sessions and conducted dozens of one-on-one interviews to ask association leaders and members this question.  Their answers led to the new strategic direction announced by HRIA in the fall of 2011.  This new long-term plan is to unite our associations as well as to elevate the recognition and credibility of Human Resources – One profession, one voice, one association.

We’ve been working as one successfully and now our focus is turned to actually becoming one.  In 2012 we have focused on:

1. Re-energizing the brand for HR
   We spent a lot of time in 2011 talking to members, now it’s time to ask non-members.  What is the perception of our external stakeholders when they engage HR?  How is the profession perceived?  What is the value of a CHRP in business?  In the late fall we engaged the Karo Group to help us understand the brand for HR.  Karo has begun comprehensive research and development of the HR brand in Alberta to help answer these questions.  We are working towards a campaign launch in early 2012 promoting the HR profession and its value to business.
2. Allocating resources to deliver on the new strategic plan
   We’ve created a new taskforce, the One Association Taskforce, to transition us from the current multi-association model to a new business model for one association.
3. Improved Service Delivery
   We will be aligning the HRIA and HRAC websites in Summer 2012, and a joint committee of HRAC and HRIA will be working on transitioning a new HR magazine blending the best of Network and Perspective in Fall 2012.

We are continuously looking for ways to expand our service offerings and bring more value to your membership. Your comments and feedback are always welcome.

Nora Molina, MBA, Executive Director, HRIA, nmolina@hria.ca