September 2026
President's Report
Pictures from our Seminar, top to bottom (Jen Vaughn with Cindy Rowe and Tara Arthur, Keynote Session with Cindy Rowe, Our Presenting Sponsor, 1st Employment).
Happy September! 2026 is flying by, and what an exciting and impactful year it has been! With so many great activities, opportunities, and accomplishments, it has truly been a fun and rewarding year so far.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, and helped make our 21st Annual Managers Seminar an incredible success! More than 300 attendees joined us for a fantastic day of learning, connection, and practical strategies for stronger leadership. A special shoutout to Cindy Rowe, who kicked off the day with her inspiring keynote, “The People First Advantage: Building Loyalty and Leading with Kindness.” We’re already excited about 2027 and ready to keep the momentum going! If you’d like to join the Managers Seminar planning committee, please let me know. We’d love to have you!
Managers Seminar was not our only learning opportunity in August. At our August Membership Meeting, Cindy Kolb of Rose Law Firm joined us for an insightful discussion on “Business Ethics for HR Professionals.” This informative session provided valuable reminders about the many ethical considerations HR professionals must navigate when making business and people-related decisions.
I look forward to seeing everyone at our In-Person Membership Meeting on September 29, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce. Kristi Spaethe will present “Creating a Culture of Feedback,” and we will also elect our 2027 WCASHRM Board Officers. This is an important meeting for our chapter, and you will not want to miss it!
Are You Ready to Level Up? Have you registered for the 2026 Arkansas SHRM HR Conference & Expo, October 14–16 in Hot Springs? If not, register today! This year's theme is “Level Up: The Future of HR Is A Game Changer,” and it is shaping up to be an amazing conference. Attendees can earn 14.75 SHRM and HRCI recertification credits, learn from an outstanding lineup of speakers, and enjoy some fantastic entertainment, including local favorites Cliff & Susan and Bridge Street LIVE! Sponsorship opportunities are also still available for organizations looking to showcase their brand to 450+ HR professionals from across Arkansas.
Don't forget that WCASHRM's third-quarter community outreach partner is Scars and Stripes, Inc. This nonprofit is dedicated to supporting and empowering veterans in the Hot Springs area by addressing critical needs such as suicide prevention, homelessness, VA benefits, mental health, and more. Please consider making a donation to this important organization when you register for this month's membership meeting. Every contribution helps us extend WCASHRM's impact beyond our profession and into the community we serve.
Thank you for everything you do to make WCASHRM such a positive, engaged, and impactful organization. I am grateful for each of you and excited about everything still ahead of us in 2026!
Please mark your calendars for the following Programs/Events of interest:
October 14-16, 2026 – ARSHRM HR Conference & Expo - Hot Springs, AR
December 3-4, 2026 – Arkansas VLBM (Volunteer Leaders) - Mt. Magazine, AR
April 8-9, 2027 – ELLA Conference - Little Rock, AR
June 27-30, 2027 – SHRM Annual Conference – Chicago, IL
August 19, 2027 – WCASHRM 22nd Annual Manager Seminar – Hot Springs, AR
Sincerely,
Jen Vaughn
Jen Vaughn, SHRM-SCP | WCASHRM President | EMAIL ME
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Monthly Sponsor
The Hot Springs Metro Partnership is the area’s public/private economic development organization, serving all of Garland County and the surrounding area. We specialize in assisting businesses with relocating or expanding in the Greater Hot Springs area. The Mission of the HSMP is to create economic opportunity by retaining, expanding and attracting higher paying jobs, expanding and diversifying our local economy, increasing incomes and investment, and generating positive growth throughout the Hot Springs region. In the Hot Springs Region, the economic development plan is structured around 4 goals:
- Business Expansion and Attraction – throughout the Hot Springs Region
- Hot Springs Downtown Development
- Talent – with its implication for the workforce generally and technical skills in particular
- Quality of Place – emphasizing the amenities of the area and their economic potential
We are one of the two ONLY Accredited Economic Development Organizations in the State.
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Meeting Topic
Creating a Culture of Feedback with Kristi Spaethe
SEPTEMBER 29 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.M. | IN PERSON MEETING WITH LUNCH INCLUDED.
$15 FOR WCASHRM CHAPTER MEMBERS. $20 FOR NON-WCASHRM MEMBERS. $5 LATE FEE IF REGISTER AFTER Noon on FRIDAY prior to meeting.
IN PERSON LOCATION: Greater Hot Springs Chamber | 659 Ouachita Ave. | Hot Springs, AR 71901
Feedback is a gift. I’ve been told that most of my career and truly believe it. I also believe that ingraining feedback, both giving and receiving, into an organization’s culture can be more impactful than many other concepts and processes. So, if it is so great, why are more organizations not practicing a culture of feedback? Easy answer, feedback is hard! Giving and receiving; positive and constructive. No wonder there are so many books, trainings and content about it. In this session, we will look at the root of feedback, how to deliver and receive it effectively, and how to begin to create a culture of feedback within your organization.
Our agenda includes:
• A discussion on why feedback is critical in organizations and how it can be impactful
• What good feedback looks like
• How to build a culture of feedback within your organization
Learning objectives:
• The importance of feedback within an organizational culture
• How to give and receive feedback in the way that it will be most effective
• The steps and processes HR professionals can use to build a culture of feedback within their organizations
Kristi Spaethe is the Chief Executive Officer of The People Perspective and People Perspective Search and Recruiting designed to be the one stop shop for all things people in the communities that these organizations serve. Kristi earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Human Resources Development option and also holds the SHRM-CP certification. Kristi is the Immediate Past State Director for SHRM Oklahoma where she has served in prior various roles beginning in 2018. Kristi has also served in various roles, including President, with the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association since 2014. Additionally, Kristi currently serves on the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and has served on the Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Kristi also gives back to the community by giving her time to non-profit organizations such as Women in Recovery, Muddy Paws and Lindsey House. Kristi received the President’s Award from the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association in 2016 and the Richard R. Messer Excellence in Human Resources award in 2019. She also received the Oklahoma Human Resources Award of Excellence in 2020 from the Oklahoma Human Resources State Council. The People Perspective has also been nominated for various awards through TYPROS Boomtown Awards, the Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce, Tulsa Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards and the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce. The People Perspective was selected as the Small Business of the year in 2021 through the Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce and as the Small Business of the Year in 2023 through the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce. Kristi and her family reside in Broken Arrow, OK.
One hour of SHRM PDC & HRCI is approved.
WCASHRM is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP.
HR Certification Institute's® (www.HRCI.org) official seal confirms that this Activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval, including SPHR® and PHR®.
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Join the Board!
Elevate Your Career: Serve on the 2027 WCASHRM Board!
It's time to step up and shape the future of HR in Central Arkansas! We are seeking passionate, driven leaders to join the 2027 WCASHRM Board of Directors. Serving as a volunteer leader is a transformative opportunity to grow your expertise, expand your influence, and give back to the community that supports you.
We are seeking a Workforce Readiness Director. This position coordinates workforce readiness programs in the community and with local schools. (We have a volunteer for VP of Programs!)
Here is what you gain by serving:
- Grow Your Expertise: Your knowledge and skills will expand exponentially by volunteering alongside a community of amazing HR leaders and continually learning from their diverse experiences.
- Boost Your Resume & Network: Be recognized as a leader in the field and expand your professional network with HR professionals across the state.
- Earn Recertification Credits: Hours spent as a volunteer leader can be counted toward your recertification for SHRM and HRCI.
- Give Back to the Profession: Embrace the "full circle" of leadership by nurturing and giving back to the next generation of volunteers, which is just as important as the learning you receive.
- Access Exclusive Opportunities: You gain the opportunity to attend ARSHRM conferences for free.
- Build Lasting Friendships: The additional benefit of serving is building amazing friendships.
Ready to make an impact? If you are interested, please reach out to Jen Vaughn at [email protected] to discuss this opportunity.
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Community Involvement
WCASHRM's third quarter Community Outreach partner is Scars and Stripes, Inc. This nonprofit is dedicated to supporting and empowering the veteran population in the Hot Springs area community by addressing areas like suicide prevention, homelessness, VA benefits, mental health, and more. Please consider donating to this important cause when you register for this month’s meeting.
For more information, visit: https://www.scarsandstripesinc.org/
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Managers' Seminar
Thank YOU to the 319 managers and supervisors for attending the 21st Annual wcashrm
Managers seminar on August 27, 2026!
Save the date for 22nd Annual WCASHRM Managers SEminar on
August 19, 2027 At the
Hot springs convention center
THANK YOU TO OUR SPEAKERS
Cindy Rowe
Ashley French
Taylor Knox
Shayne King
Dianna Lyon-Wagner
Gina Smith
Wayne Young
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR 1st Employment! We appreciate their continued support as our Presenting Sponsor.
Thank you to our Concurrent SPONSOR
Thank you to our Vendors
1st Employment
Arkansas Workforce Connections
BHC Insurance
Black Sheep Financial
Clearwater Federal Credit Union
National Park College
University of Arkansas Online
West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District
Thank you to our Committee
Chair: Tara Mauk Arthur
Registration: Deanna Harris
Door Prizes: Shayne King and Bethany Gaboury
Facilities: Nia Rieves and Brandi Brazil
Programs: Jennifer Vaughn and Terrie Sossamon
Publicity: Jolen Jolly
Sponsors & Vendors: Janet Edgar and Jenny Sales
Finance: Sheryl Staggs
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ARSHRM Events
14.75 hours SHRM & HRCI is pending approval.
Register online at www.HR2026.org.
WCASHRM is collecting door prizes for the 2026 Arkansas SHRM HR Conference & Expo, October 14–16! Donating a door prize is a fun and easy way to showcase your company, organization, or brand in front of HR professionals from across Arkansas while helping make the conference experience even more exciting. If you have a door prize to donate, please email [email protected] to coordinate drop off/pick up or bring it to Jen Vaughn at the September meeting.
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Upcoming Events
Celebrate the Season with WCASHRM!
Join us on Tuesday, December 8, from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at Mama’s Little Italy on Airport Road in Hot Springs as we celebrate the holidays and wrap up another fantastic year with WCASHRM!
Enjoy a delicious sit-down lunch and dessert, FREE for WCASHRM members, along with festive holiday games, fellowship, and plenty of fun! Guests are welcome to attend and may purchase their lunch. We’ll also host a silent auction benefiting the SHRM Foundation and officially swear in our 2027 WCASHRM Board Officers.
We'll hold our Annual SHRM Foundation fundraiser at the Holiday Party. Have an item you’d like to donate to the silent auction? Email [email protected] or bring them to our September board meeting so we can begin building our auction baskets. Every donation helps support the important work of the SHRM Foundation!
Watch your email for RSVP information coming soon. We can’t wait to celebrate the season, our members, and another great year of WCASHRM together!
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Membership Corner
WELCOME NEW WCASHRM MEMBERS
Lyndi Turner - National Park College
Know someone who is in HR but not a chapter member? Share our chapter with them! Since we meet virtually 8 months of the year, we reach all areas of the state.
WCASHRM MEMBERSHIP COST:
WCASHRM dues are free for SHRM members who primary designate their SHRM membership with our chapter, $30 for SHRM members designated to another chapter, or $45/annually. Our members consist of HR professionals, small business owners, office managers, payroll clerks, benefit coordinators, and others interested in the Human Resource function.
In addition, the national organization - the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - provides a multitude of resources including articles, legal updates, research, online tools including job descriptions, templates, audit information, and expert help in HR and business.
The paper membership application is here or the online membership application is here. If you're a SHRM member, you'll need to designate your membership to Chapter#467 with SHRM here.
Benefits of being a WCASHRM member include:
-Virtual meetings are free for members. (Virtual meetings are $10/month for non-members.)
-An opportunity to network on a monthly basis with local HR professionals.
-Regular legislative updates in the industry, community, state and federal levels.
-Recertification credits at our chapter meetings and annual Managers’ Seminar.
-Monthly topics that are relevant and of concern to Human Resource professionals.
-Monthly newsletters with information relating to the chapter, SHRM and HR industry.
-Participation in local workforce readiness activities.
-Certification study groups.
-Certification and College Scholarships.
-Chapter + SHRM (Dual) members get the best rate for ARSHRM
-Conferences.
-Post jobs for free on our website
WHY JOIN SHRM?
Today is a great time to renew your annual membership with SHRM! As a SHRM member, you’ll gain access to over $13,000 worth in HR tools, research, training and resources that can enhance your role as an HR Professional. A SHRM membership provides value daily and is a solid investment for any HR professional. If you renew now, you can lock in your 2026 annual membership for $299. Check out the SHRM Membership Benefits Guide for more details on all the benefits of being a SHRM member.
As the cost of doing business goes up, getting the most out of your resources is more critical now than ever. When you become a SHRM member, you’ll gain access to over $13,000 in tools, research, training and resources that can enhance your role as an HR Professional. A SHRM membership provides value daily and is a solid investment for any HR professional.
Deanna Harris, SHRM-CP | Membership VP | EMAIL ME
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SHRM Foundation
Help Us Make Our December Silent Auction a Success!
December will be here before we know it, and WCASHRM is now collecting donations for our annual Silent Auction benefiting the SHRM Foundation!
We are asking our members, employers, and community partners to consider donating an item, service, experience, gift certificate, gift basket, or other auction item.
Donation ideas include:
- Restaurant or retail gift cards
- Spa, salon, massage, or wellness services
- Hotel stays or local experiences
- Event or attraction tickets
- Gift baskets
- Company products or services
- Holiday items
- Professional services
- Experiences such as golf, dining, entertainment, or recreation
No donation is too small. Combining several donated items can also make a great, themed auction package!
Proceeds from the Silent Auction will support our WCASHRM Foundation fundraising efforts and help us continue working toward our 2026 Foundation fundraising goal of $2,026.
If you or your organization would like to contribute an item, please contact Brandi Brazil @ [email protected].
Why Do We Support the SHRM Foundation?
Sometimes we hear “SHRM Foundation” without really thinking about what our donations make possible.
The SHRM Foundation is the nonprofit, philanthropic arm of SHRM. Its mission centers on equipping HR professionals to create better workplaces while strengthening the HR profession itself.
Foundation support helps provide scholarships, professional development grants, certification opportunities, research, tools, and resources for HR professionals and emerging HR leaders.
Each year, the Foundation invests hundreds of thousands of dollars directly into the HR community through scholarships and professional development grants. It also develops resources addressing some of the issues we are navigating every day—including workplace mental health, caregiving, skills-based hiring, job quality, and, the changing future of work.
When WCASHRM raises money for the Foundation, we are investing back into our own profession and the people who will lead it next.
Grant Opportunity — Applications Are Open!
If earning your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP has been on your professional development list, take a look at the current SHRM Foundation grant cycle.
The Foundation's 2026 SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP Certification Grant #2 application period is currently open, with an application deadline of October 16, 2026. The certification grant can provide the SHRM certification exam along with SHRM's online learning system.
Specialty Credential grant opportunities are also open through October 16, 2026.
Don't assume a scholarship or grant isn't for you—review the eligibility requirements and apply! These opportunities are one of the very reasons our chapters raise money and advocate for the Foundation.
What's New at the Foundation?
The SHRM Foundation's 2026 priorities reflect many of the challenges HR professionals are dealing with right now. Current areas of focus include:
- Skills-First Hiring – Helping employers look beyond traditional degrees and identify talent based on demonstrated skills and capabilities.
- Caregiving & Employee Well-Being – Exploring how caregiving responsibilities, mental health, financial stability, and other outside pressures affect employees and organizational performance.
- Workplace Civility & Intergenerational Effectiveness – Helping organizations strengthen relationships and leadership across an increasingly multigenerational workforce.
- The Human Side of AI – Ensuring human judgment, ethics, creativity, and effective people leadership remain central as AI becomes more integrated into the workplace.
The Foundation also continues to provide practical tools HR professionals can use in their own organizations, including resources for creating mentally healthy workplaces and implementing skills-first talent practices.
Your Support Matters
Whether you donate an auction item, bid in December, apply for a Foundation grant, share an available scholarship with someone beginning an HR career, or simply help spread the word—you are supporting the future of HR.
Support the SHRM Foundation: Make a Difference and Invest in Your Future
WCASHRM was one of the top 25 chapters to donate in 2024. Help us continue to support the SHRM Foundation by donating every meeting. SHRM Foundation is a 501(c) 3, whose mission is to mobilize the power of HR and the generosity of donors to lead positive social changes impacting work, workers and the workplace. You can give via our West Central Arkansas WCASHRM - Catalog and we will submit your donation on your behalf or you can go directly to the donate.shrmfoundation.org website to give. Please be sure to list our chapter #467 so WCASHRM receives the credit for your donation. (if you donate via our website, please help us cover the credit card fees. For a $10 donation it is $0.75)
Let’s Lead the Way
As a chapter, let’s show our commitment to advancing the HR profession by supporting the SHRM Foundation – whether through donations, applying for scholarships and grants, or by sharing these opportunities with others.
TOGETHER, WE CAN CREATE A WORLD OF WORK THAT SUPPORTS WORK FOR ALL.
SHRM Foundation - Building an Inclusive World of Work
Brandi Brazil, SHRM-SCP | SHRM Foundation Director | EMAIL ME
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Certification
SHRM Certification EARLY BIRD PRICING
Early-bird pricing for the SHRM-CP® and SHRM-SCP® exams and Promo Code SUMMER26 at checkout for an additional 25% off is available through September 7!
Apply now to lock in your lower exam fee before regular pricing begins. Visit https://www.shrm.org/shop/certification for more info.
Price Drop: SHRM Certification Just Changed!
SHRM Certification application rates across all applicant categories have been announced!
SHRM-CP:
New Member Price → $399
New Non-Member Price → $499
SHRM-SCP:
New Member Price → $399
New Non-Member Price → $499
SHRM Certification Website
Scholarship
WCASHRM offers a scholarship for certification testing fees reimbursement per testing window for chapter members.
The chapter will reimburse up to $600 for four (4) chapter members, who successfully pass their certification testing annually. The reimbursement is available to chapter members who are national SHRM members and their employment does not pay for their certification testing. Applications will be accepted after successful exam results. You can download the scholarship form here.
If you are planning to test and want to find a study buddy or would like information regarding our scholarship, please reach out to me.
Jennifer Greer, SHRM-SCP | Certification Director | EMAIL ME
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Workforce Readiness
National Park College invites local employers to connect directly with students through their Now Hiring Nighthawks initiative.
Need to fill open positions right away? The Now Hiring Nighthawks program gives businesses a dedicated, single-employer presence in the Commons Lobby during peak student hours (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.), free of charge.
It’s a direct, hassle-free way to promote current openings and meet qualified candidates right when you need talent, without waiting for larger recruiting events.
To reserve your free recruitment table or learn more, contact Career Services at [email protected], call 501-760-4243, or check out our website here.
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Diversity
Diversity and Inclusion Calendar 2026
Visit Arkansas SHRM's Inclusion and Diversity page for September dates.
Terry Davis | Diversity Director | EMAIL ME
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Chapter Meetings, RSVP's, Payments
All 2026 Monthly Meetings will be held 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
In Person meetings for March, June, and September. The August meeting will be held on August 18 so it doesn't conflict with our Managers Seminar.
All other meetings will be virtually via Zoom.
IN PERSON LOCATION:
The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce | 659 Ouachita Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901 | 501.321.1700
VIRTUAL ZOOM LINK:
We no longer email the meeting link the morning of the meeting. It is available in the confirmation email that you receive immediately after registering. Please save this email for access to the meeting. Please add [email protected] and [email protected] to your safe list so it doesn’t deliver to junk. If you can't locate the link, please email [email protected] for the link.
COST:
Virtual: Free for members; $10 for non-members.
In-Person: $15 for members; $20 for non-members. $5.00 late fee.
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About WCASHRM
Starting in February 2024, Google and Yahoo are implementing new email authentication requirements for all bulk email senders. The changes are to protect recipients from scams and phishing attempts by authenticating all incoming emails based on specific requirements.
If you are having trouble receiving mail from your organization, a firewall or spam filtering service is likely the cause of the issue. However, you can add several domains and IP addresses to your local Allow List ensure safe delivery. Depending on your e-mail service, you may be able to do this yourself, or you may need the assistance of your IT administrator. We recommend including the following:
- 166.78.71.148
- 159.135.230.118
- 159.135.230.230
- 159.135.230.228
- 159.135.230.229
- 159.135.230.23
- starchapteremailhost2.com 67.43.2.30
- hostemail1.starchapterhost.com 209.59.162.85
- hostmailbox1.starchapterhost.com 67.43.7.204
- starchaptermail.com 69.60.117.130
Messages from the organization will usually have the same reply-to email address on them (visible if you start to reply to the message). Adding this address to your address book or contact list can also help ensure delivery. Adding webmail@ (the domain name) to the address book or contact list can also help. These changes can be helpful if e-mails are being reported as bounced, too.
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