How many times have you heard that SHRM is more or less a waste of space, a dinosaur of an organization or just not meeting the needs of the HR community? I have been hearing this more and more lately.
My view of SHRM apparently is different than the growing disdain among my fellow HR Professionals. As I was developing my knowledge of HR at the University of Michigan, I was given a great deal of support by SHRM either directly or indirectly. There in lies the key to why I feel that SHRM is still a relevant organization. While in college, I went on to become the President of the student chapter of SHRM at my University. I’m not saying that to toot my own horn (Trust me, its doesn’t amont to a hill of beans), but because this is a good example of SHRM creating an opportunity that allowed for great personal growth. Without SHRM, there would have not been an affiliate chapter at the University of Michigan nor the opportunity to further my knowledge of HR so easily.
Another example of SHRM’s relevance to me would be the HR certification and the HR Games. Again, while still in college, myself and two other HR majors studied and competed in 2005 HR Games. The information we gained in the preparation for these games was above and beyond what we were learning in our college curriculum. It just seemed to me that SHRM was making it possible to walk away from college with a much more well rounded understanding of Human Resources.
I understand that both of my examples are from the start of my HR career, but that does not mitigate the importance that SHRM had on my growth as a HR professional. I feel that if the only accomplishment SHRM does day in and day out is to bring awareness to the field along with providing students a wealth of information, then they are relevant and important. I dont look to SHRM to solve all of the worlds HR problems.
Ultimately, what I am expressing is that there is and will be a lot of good that SHRM has done for the field of HR and we should pay them just a little respect once in a while.
Hi, Logic Writer. Welcome to the amazing world of HR on the web. Great post. It’s good to hear that SHRM played such a strong role in your successful university experience. You’re a great example of why our investments in the academic world (curriculum development and teaching tools) and student memberships (chapters and games) is so critical to the future of HR. Thanks for your engagement. And thanks for adding your voice to the conversation.
A good perspective on an impotant part of SHRM’s contribution to the profession. It’s key to add to the education of prospective HR practioners beyond what can be found in textbooks. SHRM research, the HR games and the student chapters all add to that knowledge. I have involved for a number of years in the HR games and am always re-energized by the enthusiasm and passion that is shown in those events.
Nice post. Great to see you add your voice to the mix Allen. It sounds like you had some great experiences with SHRM early in your career. I think the SHRM relationship is a very individual experience though. I also think that relationship depends a great deal on where you live. If I were in Florida, for example, I can assure you I would still be a card-carrying-member of SHRM because they have very active chapters that do a great deal. But I don’t. I live in IL, outside of St. Louis. Years ago, I went to some local meetings here and got nada. No guidance, no support. I did use the national site thought occasionally for webinars or white papers. I remained a member up until about 2007 when I was laid off. I could not justify paying the $160 membership when I did not have a job.
Since then, my new company will not pay for membership. I’m not “anti-SHRM”, but I’m also not racing to pay that fee when I’m not sure what that will get me these days. I love having China Gorman and Eric Peterson available and approachable on Twitter. I admire them both very much. I can tell you that IF I pay that fee out of my own pocket, it will purely be because of my respect for them and the face of change that they are putting on SHRM. I hope that SHRM will embrace more Gen x and Gen y thinkers. That would be a draw for me too.
Great post, Allen. I think Trish’s experience is a common one. Local chapters are the “face” of SHRM to most HR pros, and a sucky one can damage someone’s perspective of the overall organization. If you’re lucky enough to be in one like NASHRM or BBSHRM, you just might get your money’s worth instead of an endless stream of “legislative updates.”
I would like to thank everyone for taking their time to read my post and leaving comments. Thank you!
Allen, this is indeed a thought provoking post. It’s the 3rd time I have read it, in fact. Time to add my voice and experience to your comments.
I totally agree that a lot of the problems with SHRM exist at the local level. But to me, that is like saying “the problem is with the employees”. If there is a problem with employees, it is really a MANAGEMENT problem.
I admit to not knowing the specific relationship between SHRM national and SHRM locals, but I think that problems with the locals, problems that cause member gain or loss, really need to be addressed by SHRM national.
I have only been a local member for 3 months, and I am already VERY disillusioned. They claim to be one of the largest local groups in SHRM, and they may be, but they clearly have large problems, too.
I belong to the national, but only because they were there, sending me conference bulletins. In fact, I didn’t even know there was local and national differentiations for almost 10 years. Outreach on the national level is poor. And, as already stated, it’s awfully expensive. I pay for everything myself, and I’m not working right now. How can someone like me volunteer to be a part of SHRM when the cost to volunteer is so high?
China – are you still listening?
My question now is – how can be change this? I’m ready to help!
Joan
[...] out why he believes that SHRM is not the harbinger of the apocalypse in the uniquely titled post, Why SHRM is not the Anti-Christ of HR. When I read it, I learned that Allen and I are both alumni from the University of Michigan. Go [...]