NOARK May 2025 Newsletter (copy) 
Thank you to our Sponsors!
SHRM Foundation/Fundraising News
May Update:
Join us on May 21, 2025, for our HR Sip & Share event, generously sponsored by CCS. Kick off your day with great company, morning brews, and engaging conversations. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect and unwind. We look forward to seeing you there!
SHRM Foundation News – Empowering Human Resources as a Force for Social Good
We are the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of SHRM, the world’s largest HR professional society, representing nearly 340,000 HR members globally and touching the lives of over 362 million individuals. Our mission is to mobilize and equip HR to ensure that talent and workplaces can prosper and thrive.
SHRM Foundation Initiatives:
- Widening Pathways to Work: We focus on skills-first candidates and untapped talent, strengthening the HR field with diversity, growth, and readiness, and tackling societal challenges, particularly workplace mental health and wellness.
- Expanding Hiring Options: A skills-first approach can significantly increase eligible candidates by up to 20 times, according to LinkedIn research.
- Growing Demand for HR Professionals: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an average of 78,700 new HR specialist jobs annually for the next decade.
- Mental Health Support: Nearly half (45%) of U.S. employees expect more mental health support from their employers compared to last year.
- Engaging Diverse Talent Pools: We empower HR professionals and employers to embrace diverse talent pools and prioritize skills-first approaches, enhancing recruitment, retention, and career progression. Our focus includes military-connected talent, justice-involved individuals, people with disabilities, opportunity youth, and candidates without traditional job readiness credentials.
- Build a Skills-First Mindset: Utilize research, toolkits, action planners, and communities of practice to identify and evaluate skills-based hiring practices.
- Discover Untapped Talent Pools: Access free educational certificate programs, toolkits, and more to create inclusive workplaces and build a diverse workforce.
- Strengthening the HR Field: We support HR students and emerging professionals, especially those from underrepresented populations, with over $600K in funding, mentorship, apprenticeship, and support. Our work creates new opportunities, drives professional growth, improves diversity, and sparks innovation.
- Apply for Scholarships and Grants: Financial assistance to pursue an HR education.
- Participate in Mentorship: Connect with experienced professionals and gain valuable industry insights.
- Build an HR Registered Apprenticeship Program: Gain hands-on experience and earn industry-recognized credentials.
- Annual Awards and Tharseo: Recognition for outstanding contributions to the HR profession and workplace.
- Tackling Societal Challenges: We mobilize and equip the HR profession and employer community with resources and insights to strengthen workplace mental health and wellness. Our work focuses on improving access, reducing stigma, and building equity, ensuring that more workplaces and workers thrive.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
We have exciting sponsorship opportunities available for upcoming events. If you're interested in supporting our community and getting involved, I'd love to chat with you. Please feel free to reach out for more information.
Dear NOARK Community,
As we welcome the month of May, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and dedication to our HR community. Your involvement and enthusiasm make NOARK a vibrant and welcoming place for all.
This month, we have exciting events and initiatives lined up, including our Sip & Share event on May 21st, generously sponsored by CCS. It's a wonderful opportunity to connect, share ideas, and enjoy some refreshing morning brews together.
Additionally, we're focusing on expanding our mentorship programs, increasing outreach to local businesses, and enhancing our educational workshops to address emerging HR trends. Your participation in these initiatives is crucial to our collective success.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller
Let's continue to build a stronger, more connected HR community. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and working together to achieve our goals.
Warm regards,
Alison Ward
NOARK Volunteer, Foundation/Fundraising
Calendar of Events
SHRM Foundation/Fundraising News
NOARK is excited to announce a range of sponsorship opportunities and initiatives for 2025. Your support will enable us to continue providing valuable programs and events for our community.
NOARK After Dark: We invite sponsors to cover the cost of appetizers and drinks (up to two per attendee) for this engaging event. Sponsors can select the venue, and we will assist with planning and coordination to ensure a seamless experience.
HR Sip & Share: This informal gathering takes place at a location chosen by the sponsor in NWA. We ask sponsors to cover the cost of coffee, but we welcome additional ideas to enhance the event.
Foundation Club Drawing: At each NOARK monthly in-person meeting, we sell tickets for a chance to win $100 cash. A one-time $1200 sponsorship includes recognition at every in-person meeting, your company logo displayed in our slideshow presentations, and acknowledgments in our newsletter and on social media, among other marketing opportunities.
Monthly Meeting Sponsorships: We offer various sponsorship opportunities that provide excellent visibility for your brand. These themed meetings cover topics such as Wellness, Benefits, and Compensation. Both Presenting and Supporting Sponsor opportunities are available.
Special Events: This includes our NOARK in the Park, and more. Various sponsorship levels are available.
For more details, please visit our website: NOARK Human Resources Association - Home Page, or contact me for more information!
Thank you for considering these opportunities. We are excited about the possibilities ahead and look forward to your support.
Best regards,
Alison Ward
Legislative
Advocating for HR: Reflections from the ELLA Conference
This month, I had the privilege of attending the ELLA (Employment Law and Legislative Affairs) Conference in Little Rock—a powerful gathering of HR professionals, legal experts, and policy advocates. As your Legislative Chair, it was an excellent opportunity to stay informed on key employment law updates and legislative trends that directly impact our work in HR.
The sessions covered a range of timely topics, including workplace compliance and best practices for navigating complex employee relations issues. One consistent theme throughout the conference was the importance of staying proactive, informed, and engaged—especially as laws and policies continue to evolve at both the state and federal levels.
Here are a few key tips for HR professionals:
- Stay current on legislation: Regularly review legal updates from SHRM, your state HR council, and trusted legal partners.
- Strengthen your compliance practices: Conduct regular policy audits and ensure documentation is consistent and up to date.
- Engage with lawmakers and local chapters: Advocacy matters. When HR professionals speak up, policies improve.
- Train your teams: Empower managers and employees with the knowledge they need to navigate changes confidently.
I look forward to sharing more insights in our upcoming meetings and helping keep our chapter connected to the latest developments. Together, we can continue to advocate for smart, people-focused policies that strengthen our workplaces.
Tina Gilbert
NOARK Legislative Chair
Inclusivity Calendar of Events
June 2025 Inclusion & Diversity Calendar Highlights
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Celebrates the diversity, history, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community, while promoting acceptance, equality, and standing against hate.
National Immigrant Heritage Month
Honors the strength, resilience, and invaluable impact of immigrants who shape and strengthen American communities.
Black Music Month
Celebrates the rich legacy and contributions of African American musicians across genres, recognizing their profound influence on American culture.
Men’s Mental Health Month
Brings attention to the unique mental health challenges men face and encourages open conversations, early intervention, and accessible support. It’s a time to reduce stigma, promote emotional well-being, and highlight the importance of mental health care for men in all communities.
Caribbean American Heritage Month
Highlights the vibrant culture and lasting impact of Caribbean Americans on U.S. society—from politics to cuisine and the arts.
National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month
Raises awareness of the effects of migraines and supports education and advocacy for those affected.
June 1-3 – Shavuot (Jewish)
Commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the importance of Jewish religious tradition.
June 4-9 – The Hajj (Islamic)
Marks the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca, a spiritual journey required at least once in a lifetime for able Muslims.
June 5 – World Environment Day
Promotes global awareness and action to protect the planet and combat climate change.
June 6-10 – Eid al-Adha (Islamic)
A major festival honoring Ibrahim’s faith and devotion, celebrated with prayer, charity, and community gatherings.
June 8 –Pentecost/Whit Sunday (Christian)
Celebrates the Holy Spirit descending upon the Apostles, marking the birth of the Christian Church.
June 9 – Race Unity Day
Promotes racial harmony and understanding among all people, encouraging unity and equality.
June 12 – World Day Against Child Labor
Calls attention to the global issue of child labor and encourages efforts to eradicate it.
June 12 – Loving Day
Marks the anniversary of the 1967 Supreme Court ruling that invalidated laws banning interracial marriage.
June 18 – International Day of Countering Hate Speech
Encourages global efforts to prevent and address hate speech and promote respectful dialogue.
June 18 – International Autistic Pride Day
Autistic Pride Day celebrates neurodiversity and the unique perspectives and talents of autistic individuals. It’s a day for acceptance and understanding, promoting respect for autism as a natural variation of human experience.
June 19 – Juneteenth
Commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and celebrates African American freedom and culture.
June 19 – Feast of Corpus Christi (Christian)
Observes the belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, often marked by processions and Mass.
June 20 – World Refugee Day
Honors the strength and courage of refugees worldwide, promoting awareness and support for displaced individuals.
June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day/Native American Day
Honors the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. This day promotes recognition, respect, and education about Native American heritage and their vital role in shaping our communities.
June 23 – Public Service Day
Recognizes the value and virtue of public service to the community, highlighting the contributions of public servants.
June 28 – International LGBT Pride Day
Serves as the culminating celebration of Pride Month worldwide, highlighting LGBTQ+ visibility, rights, and community support through events and advocacy.
Membership
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Benefits of SHRM Membership
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Benefits of NOARK Chapter Membership
- Network with local HR professionals
- Gain insights on HR best practices
- Discover local career advancement opportunities
- Earn PDC's for SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification
NOTE: Chapter membership expires at the same time as your current SHRM membership, regardless of enrollment date. Any applicable Chapter dues will be prorated based on the number of months remaining on your current SHRM membership.
*NOARK is a 100% membership chapter, which means you must also be a member of the national SHRM organization (www.shrm.org).