June 2026 Newsletter

A Message from Our President

Dear Members of the Best SHRM Chapter in Maryland :-)

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the start of June. As we move into a new month, I’m excited to share a few updates and highlights from our HR community.

This week’s Job Search Strategies Webinar, conducted by Nomi Schmuckler, was a tremendous success. The session offered practical, real‑world guidance for conducting a job search in today’s competitive job market. The feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re pleased to offer this webinar as a free resource to the community on a recurring basis.

I’m happy to remind everyone about our upcoming Happy Hour at Victoria’s Gastropub on Thursday, June 18^th from 5:30 to 7:30. Our Happy Hour offers a great opportunity to unwind, reconnect, and strengthen the relationships that make our chapter such a supportive professional network. I hope to see many of you there!

Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for the upcoming MD SHRM Conference in Ocean City from October 4^th – 6^th. I strongly encourage you to attend! Conferences like this offer so much—networking with peers, earning recertification credits, and expanding your knowledge on the latest trends shaping our profession. It’s an investment in your growth and in the strength of our HR community.

Before closing, I want to take a moment to share the heartbreaking passing of Amy Polefrone’s son, David. Many of you know Amy, and some of you may have met her amazing son. Amy asked that we share this news with you; she welcomes your prayers and messages of support. On behalf of our entire chapter, we extend our deepest condolences to Amy and her family for their loss. A memorial service to celebrate David’s life will be held in Ellicott City, MD on July 18^th at Bethany United Methodist Church (11:30 am visitation, 1:00pm memorial service). We’ll share additional information with members via email.

Wishing each of you a wonderful June filled with connection, learning, and moments of rest.

Warm regards,

April Perry

Chapter President, SHRM Howard County

SHRM Howard County Important Info

Registration Opens June 15th - SHRM Howard County Fall Conference

HR at the Center of Change

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026 |
Time: 8:00a to 1:00p
Location: Maryland Innovation Center | 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr Columbia, MD 21046

HR at the Center of Change

Great speakers
Breakout sessions
Practical insights
Meaningful connections

Early Bird Pricing will go live on June 15th, save $10 by registering before July 20th. Check out the event page for more details.

Upcoming Events

JUNE NETWORKING HAPPY HOUR

Date: June 18, 2026 |5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Victoria Gastro Pub
8201 Snowden River Pkwy
Columbia, MD 21054

Celebrate the start of summer with great company, fresh energy, and a perfect reason to unwind!

Join SHRM Howard County for a Kick Off to Summer Happy Hour designed exclusively for HR professionals ready to connect, and recharge with fellow peers. Whether you're reflecting on wins from the first half of the year, exchanging ideas for what’s ahead, or simply looking to unwind with professionals who understand the HR world, this is the perfect place to mix, mingle, laugh, and build new connections.

Expect great conversation, light bites, and a relaxed summer vibe—because the best way to grow your network and recharge for the months ahead is together. Cheers to summer networking the HR way!

Your ticket includes appetizers and one drink ticket. Register today and bring a friend!

We will be raffling off a $50 gift card to Victoria Gastro Pub / Manor Hill Tavern and a $50 gift card for a catering order from Victoria Catering!

jULY MONTHLY MEETING

HR Technology Insights

Speaker: Steve Hansen

Date: July 16, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Maryland Innovation Center

6751 Columbia Gateway Dr
Columbia, MD 21046

About our Program:

As HR technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, organizations are being challenged to balance innovation, data strategy, and operational efficiency. In this session, we’ll explore:

HR Technology Market Update – We’ll review the most recent survey data and speak to customer scores for HR tech vendors.
AI Tools - Is it even a presentation in 2026 if we don’t talk AI?
Managing your Data – AI is enabled by clean and centralized data, what does that look like?
Broker Resources – Services that your broker can offer to ease your HR technology burden.

AUGUST MONTHLY MEETING

AI in HR

Speaker: Russell Smith

Date: Aug 20, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Maryland Innovation Center

6751 Columbia Gateway Dr
Columbia, MD 21046

About our Program:

As AI continues to reshape the workplace, HR leaders have a unique opportunity to lead both the strategy and the conversation. The topics will cover:

Everyday HR Productivity: “Small Wins” That Actually Stick

Drafting policies, employee communications, and offer letters
Summarizing interviews or meeting notes
Writing performance reviews / feedback frameworks
Automating internal HR email responses

Risks, Ethics, and Compliance

Bias in hiring algorithms
Lack of transparency (“black-box decisions”)
Data privacy (employee monitoring, sensitive data use)
Legal exposure and regulatory changes
Inflation of “Key Person Risk” – AI enables a person to handle more work

How SMB HR Teams Should Start

How to speak to leadership about AI Adoption
Crawl, Walk, Run Approach
How to introduce AI to your employees in a non-threatening way

Whether your organization is just beginning to explore AI or looking to expand adoption, this discussion will provide practical guidance on how to start thoughtfully and lead confidently.

News from Maryland State Council

MDSHRM Annual Conference 2026

Last chance for the early bird rate before June 30 to attend the MDSHRM Annual Conference October 4^th – 6^th at the Ashore Resort and Beach Club in Ocean City, MD. Visit this site: Maryland SHRM State Council, Inc. - Meeting/Event Information to receive a $100 discount.

Update from SHRM

Watch Keli's Panel Inclusion Under Pressure: Stress-Testing Diversity Strategies for Legal Resilience and Business Impact on Thursday June 18 at the SHRM National Conference

This session explores how leaders can apply SHRM’s BLUEPRINT pillars-legally compliant, workplace unifying, and business accretive-to build resilient and impactful inclusion strategies. Drawing on peer cohort insights and leadership frameworks, participants will examine decision-making models that promote compliance and cultural alignment. Facilitated by Executive Coaches and Industrial/Organizational Psychologists, the session helps leaders define a clear “North Star,” identify persistent barriers, and stress-test strategies to withstand scrutiny. Through interactive reflection, attendees will explore what drives progress, where organizations stall, and how accountability shapes outcomes. Participants will leave with a concise framework and actionable questions to strengthen inclusion and implementation in a complex environment.