Chapter offers support of excellence in human resources

The Northwest Louisiana chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (NWLA SHRM) observed its 60th anniversary on Oct. 21.

NWLA SHRM, a non-profit serving Northwest Louisiana since 1957, represents more than 140 companies in the local market, said Renee Irby, president of NWLA SHRM and regional human resources manager for The Hain Celestial Group.

“We provide a lot of continuing education on a monthly basis for human resources professionals,” Irby said. “In our monthly meetings, certified speakers provide information about topics such as FMLA and employee engagement. Those meetings serve as continuing education credits for human resources certifications.

“We think that human resources is the backbone of any company,” she added. “We’re the ones people go to for safety, policy, diversity and employee engagement, which includes getting employees involved in the company and to really invest themselves in the company. Human resources is basically the ears for the employer and eyes of the company. We definitely impact change, and for the employees themselves, we protect, educate and inform.”

The NWLA SHRM chapter is an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management and serves as a local starting point for networking, information, professional development and continued support of excellence in human resources.

NWLA SHRM provides education, thought leadership, certification, community and advocacy to enhance the practice of human resource management and the effectiveness of human resource professionals in the organizations and community they serve.

NWLA SHRM provides human resources professionals with networking, program development, legal updates and educational opportunities. The chapter hosts monthly meetings to keep abreast of ever-changing and vital human resource concerns, as well as an annual conference/workshop that is hands-on learning for human resource professionals and business leaders.

NWLA SHRM is open to the public so that anyone can come to monthly meetings. Topics are posted on the website at northwestlouisianashrm.wildapricot.org under the Events tab.

The NWLA SHRM began in 1957 as the Metropolitan Shreveport Personnel Association. In 1989, The American Society for Personnel Administration (ASPA) became SHRM, and in 2005, a final change resulted in the group becoming The Northwest Louisiana Society for Human Resource Management.