January 2026 Newsletter 
A Message from Our President
Dear SHRM Howard County Members,
Happy 2026!
The following day (Thursday, January 15) our Board looks forward to welcoming you into the new year at our Happy Hour Networking event “Start Strong 2026” at Victoria Gastro Pub! Come join us for drinks (including non-alcoholic for those participating in dry January), duck fat fries (IYKYK), delicious appetizers, and great fun for all! Haven’t registered yet? Reserve your spot today at SHRM Howard County Networking Event. It will be a wonderful way to start the year!
Our last event of January will be our Job Search Strategies Lunch and Learn Webinar, delivered by Nomi Schmuckler, on January 28th. Nomi's Job Search Strategies presentation has been a highlight of our chapter's mentorship program and of our lunch-and-learn webinar series. Nomi has recently updated the webinar to include AI job search tips. You'll want to share this webinar opportunity (which is free of charge) with your network - there are many who can benefit from Nomi's tips!
Stay tuned for our February newsletter, in which we’ll highlight our 2026 Board Members and share exciting news and plans for the year. Throughout the year, we’ll have many opportunities for you to connect and engage within our chapter and in service to our wider community.
SHRM Howard County is all about community – we’re committed to serving the HR professional and growing the HR profession. Whether you are seeking to grow and develop within the HR profession, searching for your next role, and/or seeking to grow your network – we are here for you. Join us! Let’s do 2026 together!
Wishing you a 2026 filled with joy and purpose,
April Perry, SHRM-CP
Chapter President, SHRM Howard County
Upcoming Events
JANUARY NETWORKING EVENT
Start Strong 2026 with SHRM Howard County Happy Hour
Date: January 15, 2026 |5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Victoria Gastro Pub
8201 Snowden River Pkwy
Columbia, MD 21054
Kick off the new year with energy, community, and a well-deserved toast!
Join SHRM Howard County for Start Strong 2026, a lively Happy Hour designed exclusively for HR professionals ready to connect, recharge, and set the tone for an impactful year ahead. Whether you're celebrating last year’s wins, gearing up for fresh initiatives, or simply looking to meet fellow HR pros who get it, this is the perfect place to mix, mingle, laugh, and launch into 2026 with momentum. Expect great conversation, light bites, and a relaxed vibe—because the best way to spark a strong year is together. Cheers to kicking off 2026 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!*
Thank you to Victoria Restaurant Group for sponsoring this event!
FREE jANUARY WEBINAR
Job Search Strategies
Speaker: Nomi Schmuckler
Date: January 28, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location: virtual
About our Program:
Landing your dream job typically requires effective job search strategies. In this session, you will learn tried and tested methods to having an intentional and organized job search, being prepared, and staying realistic. You will be given tips and critical traps to avoid throughout the interview process from the perspective of a career recruiter and the successful candidate.
FEBRUARY MONTHLY MEETING
Using AI to Improve Human Communication
Speaker: Dan Kaplan
Date: February 19, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Cured/18th & 21st
10980 Grantchester Way, Suite 110
Columbia, MD 21044
About our Program:
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn't just about robots and self-driving cars. It's revolutionizing how we connect and collaborate. But how can we harness its power to enhance our communication skills and build stronger relationships?
In this engaging and interactive presentation, we will explore AI tools and technologies transforming communication, discover how AI can analyze communication patterns, identify biases, and provide personalized feedback to help you become a more effective communicator.
We will also learn how AI can break down language barriers, foster empathy, and facilitate meaningful conversations across distances; explore how AI can help resolve conflicts, improve team collaboration, and navigate difficult conversations with greater ease and confidence; and glimpse into the exciting possibilities AI holds for revolutionizing communication.
Through learning by doing, this presentation will help participants discover valuable insights and practical strategies for leveraging AI to connect, collaborate, and communicate more effectively.
Get Involved with SHRM Howard County
Committee Volunteer Opportunities
We have several committees, listed below, who are seeking volunteers to assist with our various initiatives. Complete our Volunteer Application today. New committee members are eligible for a free meeting in 2026.
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College Relations
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Diversity and Inclusion
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Membership
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Programs
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SHRM Foundation/becHaRitable
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Workforce Readiness
D.I.Y. - Diversity In You
Five Steps to Encourage Civil Conversations at Work
SHRM continues to lead the way in empowering HR professionals to build civil and inclusive cultures. By fostering an environment rooted in empathy and respect for differences, organizations empower employees to share ideas freely, a shift that directly boosts workforce productivity. Through organizational interconnectedness, departments are better equipped to communicate with both respect and purpose. To support this mission, SHRM has developed a Civility Starter Kit featuring five actionable steps designed to help leaders facilitate more civil workplace conversations.
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Educate Yourself-It is imperative that you build awareness. Ensure that you are gaining a sense of knowledge and understanding while assessing civility and incivility within society and the workplace.
Establish Shared Understanding of Civility- To build a foundation for team civility, leaders and managers must set clear expectations for both civil and uncivil behavior. It is essential to ensure every team member has a unified perspective on what constitutes respectful interaction. When a clear, shared understanding is established, the team's ability to communicate effectively and resolve internal conflicts becomes significantly easier.
Establish And Foster Team Norms for Mutual Respect- Once you have defined civility, leaders must implement specific team norms to guide all future interactions. Managers must clearly communicate that these norms are not optional; they are the standard expected of every team member. By identifying these behaviors, organizations ensure that both daily communication and inevitable conflicts are managed with consistent professionalism.
Promote A Culture of Civility- With the foundation of education, understanding, and established norms in place, you can actively cultivate a broader culture of civility within your team. Leaders and team members alike must model this behavior consistently. This culture is reinforced through organizational policies that uphold a respectful work environment and through the visible, practical application of those policies in daily operations.
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Become A Catalyst for Civility-The organization must remember that the process of civility is continuously evolving and ongoing. When leaders remain committed to these principles, civility becomes an ingrained organizational norm. Over time, this commitment shapes the broader workplace culture, setting a permanent expectation for respect and interconnectedness.
Civility must be embraced through respectful communication and organizational interconnectedness. Leaders and Managers within the organization must understand that creating a culture of civility is ongoing and continuous. Once the actionable steps are applied consistently, civility will transition from an initiative to an organizational norm. SHRM remains dedicated to empowering HR professionals to invest in these inclusive environments, ensuring that every employee feels comfortable sharing the ideas that ultimately drive workforce productivity. Visit SHRM's Civility at Work resources.
News from Maryland State Council
save the date: 2026 MDSHRM Conference: HR Content, HR Connections, and Re-Certification Credits
The Maryland Society of Human Resources Management (MDSHRM) Annual Conference is October 4th – 6th at the Ashore Resort and Beach Club in Ocean City, MD. The Conference “Inspiring Voices Shaping Tomorrow” will feature ways to boost your HR toolkits with dynamic speakers, relevant breakout sessions, fantastic sponsors with innovative resources, & professional networking with hundreds of HR's top Professionals!
2026 MDSHRM Conference Registration: Visit this site: Maryland SHRM State Council, Inc. - Meeting/Event Information Early Bird registrants receive a $100 discount. Make your plans now and let us know if you decide to attend!
Career Corner
Check out these job opportunities and contact us to have your listing here!!
Human Resources Generalist - Baltimore MD
Howard County Government HR positions
Maryland SHRM State Council Job Resources
If you have any opportunities that you would like to have us include here, please email [email protected].
