Top award for southern Connecticut HR chapter

The southern Connecticut chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management in Stamford won the Pinnacle Award recently at a Washington, D.C. event.

The award was given by the national SHRM to its state councils and chapters “for highly notable contributions to the human resources profession.”

Created in 1991, the Pinnacle Award is the highest achievement SHRM state councils and chapters can attain. It honors programs that exceed the standard activities of SHRM affiliates in enhancing the creation of effective HR management. The Southern Connecticut Chapter of SHRM was one of 12 human resource organizations from nine states to win the award.

SHRM Has a total 575 chapters globally with 275,000 members.

Susan Blazer, president of southern Connecticut SHRM chapter, said, “We are honored to have received this Pinnacle Award and are grateful for SHRM”™s recognition of the work of our board and committee members and volunteers who contributed to this success.”

The southern Connecticut SHRM”™s program, “Acquiring and Engaging Human Resource Young Professionals,” was designed to attract and engage members of the HR profession under the age of 35 in the activities of the local chapter and the national organization. Its implementation of the initiative improved the delivery of programs and services to this key demographic population and increased membership and member satisfaction.

Through the creation of the HR Young Professionals Special Interest Group members regularly attend programs designed specifically for them. With southern Connecticut”™s SHRM chapter”™s support, student chapters were re-chartered at the University of Bridgeport, Sacred Heart University and Fairfield University. SHRM also introduced a new chapter website with an improved job board, which included open positions for this group, as well as a LinkedIn chapter user group.

The award came with a $1,000 check at the Washington, D.C., awards ceremony attended by Blazer, Kimberly Boskello, president elect, and Randy Chase, past president.

“This year”™s Pinnacle Award winners have demonstrated exceptional leadership through their innovative programs,” said Henry G. Jackson, president and CEO of SHRM. “Their projects also offer practical solutions to business challenges facing companies today such as military veterans”™ transitions to the civilian workforce.”