May 2026 Newsletter 
A Message from Our President
Happy May, SHRM Howard County!
As we proceed through the 2nd quarter of the year, we trust that your HR work is driving meaningful results in your organization. For our members who are seeking their next opportunity, we hope that you soon find an HR role that aligns with your professional aspirations and strengths. Whatever stage you’re in on your HR journey, our chapter is here to support you by bringing meaningful opportunities for connection, learning, and professional growth.
Board Shout-Out: I would like to take a moment to recognize our Board of Directors, whose energy and commitment power everything we do. During our April meeting, several attendees (including our guest speaker) remarked on the exceptional organization and professionalism that define our events. This is due to the work of our 16 dedicated Board Members – it’s wonderful to see our Board members’ efforts acknowledged in this way!
Don’t Miss Out! Join A Committee!: Looking for a way to increase your connection with our chapter? Join one of our committees and help shape the work that our chapter delivers. We have many opportunities to contribute—please reach out to Kathy Martin, Volunteer Chair, at [email protected] to learn more.
Professional Growth: Our chapter is proud to be a resource for your continued professional development. Whether you’re pursuing your SHRM certification, earning recertification credits, or looking to expand your HR knowledge and/or network, our chapter meetings and programs provide valuable learning and insights. If you’d like to learn more about certification options, contact Colleen Carmichael, our Professional Development Chair, at [email protected]!
We Appreciate You! See you Soon! Thanks for continuing to make our chapter such a vibrant and supportive network. Your engagement and enthusiasm are what drive our success. I look forward to connecting with you at our May Chapter Meeting (featuring our extraordinarily popular Legislative Update) and at upcoming activities, including our June Job Search Strategies Webinar and our June Happy Hour.
Wishing you continued personal and professional growth in the months ahead!
Warm regards,
April Perry
Chapter President, SHRM Howard County
SHRM Howard County Important Info
Save the Date September 17: the SHRM Howard County Fall Conference.
HR is not just supporting change anymore. HR is leading it.
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 8:00a to 1:00p
HR at the Center of Change
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Great speakers
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Breakout sessions
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Practical insights
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Meaningful connections
More details coming soon. Stay Tuned!
News You Can Use
We are excited to share the results of our live poll conducted during our April chapter meeting.
We asked our members what are the top ancillary benefits employees appreciate most? No surprise Paid Time Off was front and center, followed by strong interest in professional development, parental leave and mental health.
We heard about some newer benefits such as Hinge Health (online physical therapy), Calm app premium subscription, and AstroDoc (concierge medical services) are important to employees.
Connect with us on LinkedIn and share what benefits are you and your team excited about in 2026.
Upcoming Events
MAY MONTHLY MEETING
2026 Legislative Update
Speaker: Aisha Massengill
Date: May 21, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Maryland Innovation Center
6751 Columbia Gateway Dr
Columbia, MD 21046
About our Program:
Our annual legislative update is back—by popular demand! Join us for an engaging and insightful session as we break down key developments from the 2026 Maryland Legislative Session. We’ll go beyond the headlines to highlight what these changes mean in practice, equipping you with clear, actionable insights you can bring back to your organization. Whether you're looking to stay compliant, anticipate impacts, or proactively lead through change, you’ll leave with practical tools and strategies to implement in your workplace right away.
FREE JUNE WEBINAR
Job Search Strategies
Speaker: Nomi Schmuckler
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.
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!
News from Maryland State Council
MDSHRM Annual Conference 2026
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!
Events In and Around Howard County
National Apprenticeship Week: April 26 – May 2
Level up your workforce with apprenticeships!
National Apprenticeship Week, April 26 – May 2, just concluded. Maryland Department of Labor partners with employers, free of charge, to develop apprenticeships that are customized for their organizations. The Maryland Dept of Labor Apprenticeship Office incentivizes businesses that utilize apprenticeships, offering employers a 4-figure stipend to offset the cost.
Want to learn more? Contact Sheila Jackson, the MD DOL Apprenticeship Navigator for Howard County at [email protected] for information on how to make an apprenticeship work for your organization!
Apprenticeship Facts:
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Apprenticeships are generally full-time positions, offering one year or more of supervised on-the-job learning.
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Apprentices participate in coursework that reinforces what they learn on-the-job. This can include colleges classes, trade school programs, virtual learning, or even employer-delivered in-house training programs.
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According to the US Registered Apprenticeship Program, the employee retention rate of apprentices who complete an apprenticeship program is 92%.
Career Corner
OPEN HR POSITIONS
If you have HR opportunities that you would like to have us share your current HR openings in our Open Positions Form
Check out these job opportunities:
HRIS Manager - Columbia Association
Director of Total Rewards - EagleBank
Howard County Government HR positions
