NOARK June 2025 Newsletter 
President's Report
On June 12, NOARK hosted a powerful and purposeful Community Resources Roundtable and Lunch Meeting at Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield in Springdale. This event was designed to help HR professionals forge meaningful connections with local organizations that offer free and low-cost services to support employees both in and beyond the workplace.
🤝 Building Bridges Between HR and Community Support
The event kicked off with an open roundtable networking session, where NOARK members engaged directly with eight outstanding community partners. These organizations shared practical resources addressing healthcare access, youth support, family engagement, and cultural and linguistic services—all vital tools for today’s HR professionals navigating workforce challenges.
- UAMS Free Clinic
- OSAZA
- Rogers Public Library
- Arkansas United
- Springdale Public Library
- Pacific Islander Linguistic Services
- Groundwork NWA
- Teen Action and Support Center
Each table sparked conversation around how these services can be integrated into existing benefits strategies, employee assistance programs, and wellness initiatives to create more inclusive, supportive workplace environments.
🎤 A Powerful Message from EngageNWA
Following the roundtable, attendees enjoyed a lunch and a compelling keynote by Margot Lemaster, Executive Director of EngageNWA. Her presentation, “Beyond the Workplace: The Business Case for Community Connection,” challenged HR leaders to think beyond traditional engagement models.
Using "Welcoming Week NWA 2025" as a case study, Margot illustrated how intentional partnerships with community organizations can elevate employee morale, reduce turnover, and enhance a company’s reputation as a great place to work. She encouraged attendees to incorporate community service and purpose-driven initiatives into their people strategies, not as an afterthought—but as a strategic imperative.
💡 Key Takeaways
- Community resources are an underutilized asset in employee support and retention strategies.
- Inclusive engagement starts with knowing what’s available—and building trust-based partnerships.
- Purpose-driven workplaces not only attract top talent but help employees feel seen, valued, and connected.
🙏 A Special Thank You
We extend our heartfelt thanks to each of the community organizations who participated and generously shared their time, expertise, and passion. Your presence and partnership are invaluable to our members and the work we do as HR professionals. Your efforts make Northwest Arkansas a stronger, more connected place to live and work—and we are grateful for your continued collaboration.
NOARK Secretary's Address
Dear NOARK Members and Affiliates,
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Thank you to our Sponsors!
NOARK proudly supports SHRM Foundation, the nonprofit arm of SHRM, which mobilizes HR as a force for social good. We believe each of us in HR has the power and opportunity to lead change in the workplace. Together we’re building a more inclusive talent pipeline, addressing mental health and wellness, and strengthening the HR field.
Get involved to nurture the potential in HR, talent, and workplaces. Donate to make possible the research, toolkits, certificates, and scholarships that help us all thrive together.
Learn more and contribute at http://shrmfoundation.org/.
Building a World of Work that Works for All
shrm-foundation-one-pager-2025.pdf
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Looking to Get Involved? Let’s Partner Up!
We have some exciting sponsorship opportunities available for our upcoming events, and we’d love to collaborate with organizations that are passionate about supporting the HR and business community.
If you're interested in increasing your visibility, connecting with local professionals, and making a meaningful impact, let’s chat! Feel free to reach out for more details, we’d be thrilled to have you on board.
Dear NOARK Community,
As we step into June, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and engagement in our HR community. Your energy, ideas, and commitment are what make NOARK such a dynamic and welcoming organization.
- Deepening our collaboration with local businesses to strengthen community ties and create meaningful impact.
- Expanding our learning opportunities through dynamic workshops and programs that address today’s most pressing HR challenges.
Your involvement in these efforts is what drives our success. Whether you're attending events, volunteering, or simply sharing your voice, you are helping shape the future of HR in Northwest Arkansas.
Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected HR community—one initiative at a time.
Alison Ward
NOARK Volunteer, Foundation/Fundraising
Calendar of Events
Meeting Info
Overview
It’s a well-established, but often overlooked fact: most acts of workplace violence are preventable. Recognizing the warning signs and engaging a threat management firm are critical key components. But there’s a missing link—an unrecognized element that can undermine even the most well-intentioned efforts.
Join us for this powerful session as we uncover the hidden key to not only preventing workplace violence, but also fostering stronger teams and improved organizational performance.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and respond to early warning signs to prevent workplace violence.
- Reduce stress and anxiety to enhance overall performance and profitability.
- Strengthen team cohesion by cultivating a culture of mutual care and support.
For more information or to register, visit the event page here
Legislative
Advocating for HR: Reflections from the ELLA Conference
In April, 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
- Personalized Content
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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).
AR SHRM State Conference
Registration is now open for AR SHRM 2025!
Click here to https://conference.arshrm.com/
