If this newsletter does not display correctly in your email program, click here or
paste this link into your internet browser: http://vashhra.org/newsletter/2007-10.htm.

"to lead, develop and support its members as they strive to attain their institutions' goals . . . through the delivery of outstanding human resource management . . . "

Newsletter: October 2007

• President's Column: Deborah Raynes
• Community Outreach
• Fall Basket Raffle
• Human Resources Corner: Wellness Programs
• Editor's Desk: Re-charging Your Batteries

President’s Column:
Deborah Raynes

The cooler weather has returned and the green leaves are changing red and gold. While I hate to think about it, year-end is only a few months away. Before that happens, let’s get together one more time in 2007 for some learning, networking and just having fun! We will meet in Richmond on October 19 at the Sheraton Richmond West for our Fall Conference – Embrace New Learning. Dee Borgoyn will update us on happenings at ASHHRA, Steve Gravely will talk to us about Pandemic Flu Planning, Kim Daniel will give us the legislative news, Lisa Friday will talk to us about Joint Commission Standards and we’ll even have time for sharing your indispensable advice! If you haven’t already submitted your reservation, do it now.

Congratulations to Dee Borgoyn and the 2006 Executive Committee! Dee was named Outstanding Chapter Officer and VaSHHRA received One-Star for the Chapter Management. Awards will be presented in Anaheim, CA at the ASHHRA Conference on September 30.

Since the beginning of the year, several changes to the Executive Committee have been made – Donna Steigleder replaced Paul Morlock as Vice-President, Jean Harrison-Diaz & Jeanette Mcilwian are the Hampton Roads Co-Reps, Judith Bounacos is the Northern Virginia Rep, Terri Stevens is the Roanoke Co-Rep along with Emily Allen, Ruth Ann Lewis is the Southwestern Virginia Rep and Julie Edmonds is the Speakers Bureau Chair. A slate of officers for 2008 will be presented to the membership for ratification in October. If you would like to help guide this great organization, contact me or one of the Executive Committee members.

Have you had a chance to visit our website and see our new look? If not, take a few minutes to view the changes. Thanks, Alan Germani, for the new website design and our new logo! If you haven’t already, you will be receiving a new password that will be effective October 1st for the “Members Login” section.

Enjoy the last few days of summer and I hope to see you in Richmond next month!

Back to top

---

Community Outreach

The Helping Hands of VaSHHRA Working to Serve the Community

VaSHHRA Contributes to the well being of others throughout Virginia communities by actively sponsoring and participating in various activities or events such as: food drives, coat drives, wellness initiatives and making monetary donations to worthwhile causes.

The charitable organization selected for support for our fall conference is CARITAS (Congregations Around Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter). CARITAS was organized in the early 1980's to respond to the huge unmet need for emergency shelter for homeless adults in the cold winter months. With its name derived from the Latin word for charity, today CARITAS is the largest emergency shelter program in the Richmond community. More than 170 faith communities provide over 37,000 nights of shelter. CARITAS’ congregation-based model mobilizes thousands of volunteers annually.

A list of needed items will be forwarded to you prior to the Conference and monetary donations will be collected at the Conference.

To learn more about what CARITAS does for the Richmond community, you may visit their website at http://caritasshelter.org.

Thank you in advance for your contributions!

Back to top

---

Fall Basket Raffle

In an effort to raise additional monies to donate to CARITAS a “Fall Gift Basket” will be raffled. The basket (valued at $50.00) will be filled with wonderful goodies and restaurant gift certificates. Be sure to purchase a ticket or two during the Fall Conference and you could be a WINNER !!!

Back to top

---

Human Resources Corner: Wellness Programs

A well designed wellness plan is a powerful organizational tool for recruitment and retention. These programs contribute to a happier, healthier, and more productive life. The benefits for employers are obvious. They provide the company with strategic advantages by investing money in a program that will hopefully bring them lowered expenses in return, often in the form of better performing workers, and lower absenteeism and health care costs. Employees are the most valuable assets to any company. By providing workers with these services, companies are improving wellbeing and job satisfaction, as well as raising retention rates. The welfare of employees has a direct impact on the success of the company. Studies have shown the following:

• Leading causes of death: cardiovascular, cancer and iatrogenic diseases and disorders.
• Job related injuries cost $127 billion exceeding corporate profits.
• Low back injuries cost $551 million in annual losses, and account for as much as 18% of work comp claims.
• Costs of stress on productivity, health care costs and absenteeism is a $200 billion loss.
• The cost of sleeplessness (resulting in lower productivity, accidents, etc.) to employers is estimated to be $18 billion.
• Leading experts now estimate that 70% of all illnesses are preventable.

Health risk varies in degrees, whether it’s unhealthy eating, lack of exercise or sleep, drinking, smoking, or even something genetic. Using a Wellness Program can make positive changes. Here are the steps to an effective program:

STEP 1: Set the Foundation, Build Among All Levels of the Organization
The key to a successful workplace wellness program requires management commitment and employee involvement.

STEP 2: Form a Workplace Wellness Committee
An active workplace wellness committee ensures employees involvement, provides buy-in, management support, and maintains a crew that is ready to take action to integrate wellness programs.

STEP 3: Gather Data to Identify Key Needs and Expectations
The next critical component is to base the workplace wellness program on the needs and interest of your company and its employees.

STEP 4: Establish Goals and Objectives
Goals and objectives are the road maps to guide you where your program needs to go. These are the foundation for planning and evaluating activities to ensure that your wellness program is going to meet your unique needs.

STEP 5: Develop a Detailed Action Plan
There is no such thing as over planning.

STEP 6: Choose and Implement a Plan
You have the committee, objectives and goals, now it is time to put a plan in action.

STEP 7: Monitor and Evaluate Your Program
Evaluation is a necessary step to keep a program on target, as well as to ensure that the program is reaching its goals or achieving the desired results.  Incentives for participation is key. Offer discounts to gyms, gift certificates and recognition to most successful employees or any other creative incentives that work for your organization.

Back to top

---

Editor's Desk: Re-charging Your Batteries

Do you ever find yourself asking this question: “Why should I attend the VaSHHRA Conferences ?” Let me share my Top 5 reasons for attending VaSHHRA Conferences:

1. Development—the opportunities to expand your knowledge of Healthcare Human Resources are endless. The conferences have something for everyone covering topics from employee relations, benefits, employment law, legislation and time management.
2. Earned Credits—A certificate confirming CEUs are given to attendees.
3. Networking—Meet HR Healthcare Professionals from around the State. Make contacts with vendors that can help you with pending or future organization projects.
4. Keynote Speakers—The conference consistently features amazing presenters who educate and motivate.
5. Recharging—Even though we love what we do, sometimes we all need a boost. The VaSHHRA conferences puts you in contact with other HR Professionals equally excited about the profession as you. You exchange ideas, get caught up in the energy and head back to the office charged with enthusiasm.
6. Bonus—Each time the Conference takes place in a different city in the State, which means opportunities to explore other areas. You can stay a day before or a day afterwards to enjoy what the city has to offer.

Your VaSHHRA Executive Members work hard to bring you the best topics and presenters to give you useful information pertaining to your jobs. However, if you ever have a topic that you feel we should consider, please do not hesitate to contact President, Deborah Raynes.

Looking forward to seeing you at future conferences !!!!

Jeannette Mcilwain

Back to top

Copyright©2007 VaSHHRA. All Rights Reserved.