Hello GMA SHRM Members!

Happy December GMA SHRM Members! Can you believe that it’s almost the end of 2022? Like most of the children in my neighborhood, I love seeing all the holiday lights and props that are placed in our neighborhood front yards in preparation of the season ahead, and delightfully anticipate that first, fantastic fluffy deep snowfall which, back in the day, we would designate as a “snow day.” Given the virtual world in which we now live, I’m not sure we have that excuse any longer!

Looking back on the calendar year, I can’t help but reflect on the camaraderie that exists within the human resources community and how we all provide such wonderful support, best practice advice and referrals when needed to one another. The past three years have upended human resources, no joke – employee engagement, recruiting, compensation, legal interpretations, benefit offerings – all have been affected to some degree by the pandemic. And all of you have been forced to pivot by amending, changing, and many times, developing policies based on what you see around you, what is happening in other organizations, and occurring in your professional network. I’m proud to count GMA SHRM as one of your resources. Our Board of Directors, volunteer committee members, and MDS, our administrative partner, diligently work to provide you with the excellent programming and network opportunities you’ve come to expect. Ultimately, our goal is to serve and push the needle ever forward on membership and service. I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to offer and accomplish, and I want to express my thanks to all of them.

Speaking of programming, we are continuing to prepare event dates for January and February 2023 and will be posting details in the near future, so please continue to check our website for details. The January Professional Development Summit sessions will focus on the topics of Ethics and Remote Work. Speakers and session summaries will be announced shortly. As these just-in-time topics continue to evolve, I am certain every organization will benefit from hearing about these perspectives and how they can be applied to your workspaces.

The deadline for becoming a 2023 GMA SHRM Corporate Partner is fast approaching. Becoming a Corporate Partner with GMA SHRM can be fantastic opportunity, offering your business a year-long opportunity to offer promotions to the wider Dane County business community, including promoting your products and services to approximately 500 human resource professionals representing more than 500 employers. You will find details on how to become a Corporate Partner on our 2023 Corporate Partnership webpage. 

In other news, our chapter begins our succession planning where we seek additional volunteers who have an interest in serving on committees or representing the chapter as one of our board leaders, starting in July of 2023. If you’d like additional information about how to become more involved in the chapter, please review our “Get Involved” webpage, or contact Laura Bermudo, our President-Elect. 

Lastly, from all of us on the GMA SHRM Board of Directors, we wish you the happiest and healthiest holiday season and New Year.  We are so grateful to all of you for making our chapter strong, healthy and happy. See you in 2023!


Dana Denny, IPMA-CP
GMA SHRM Chapter President
dana_denny@hotmail.com. 

Legal Update – Another Visa Option to Hire Foreign Professionals Fast

Submitted from Mai Chao Chang & Brian P. Goodman, GMA SHRM Programming Committee Member, and Attorneys at Boardman & Clark LLP, a Platinum Partner
 

Mai Chao

Brian P. Goodman

As employers evaluate year-end goals and look forward to talent acquisition for 2023, one option for recruiting during a competitive labor market is to reach beyond borders to two neighboring countries, Canada and Mexico, for qualified professionals. Through the TN visa process, a qualified Canadian or Mexican professional can gain a TN visa and employment authorization relatively quickly if the available U.S. job falls within the designated TN professions.

The TN visa was authorized by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, now the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA). NAFTA Appendix 1603.D.1 lists the wide range of qualifying TN professions, along with the education and/or experience requirements for each profession. TN work authorization can be granted for up to three years at a time, with no limit on the number of renewals. The employer’s only duty in the TN application process is providing a detailed employment offer letter, identifying the qualifying profession and providing specific details about the employment.

After adding personal documents to complete the TN application package, Canadian nationals may apply for TN status directly with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents at the airport or U.S. border. Mexican nationals outside of the U.S. must first present their application to a U.S. Consular office abroad to obtain a TN visa stamp. Once the Canadian or Mexican employee is admitted by CBP into the U.S., employment can begin immediately.

Navigating the foreign hiring process can be daunting, but it does not have to be. Employers should consider reaching out to an immigration attorney for assistance. Boardman Clark continues to meet our client’s needs with the recent formation of our immigration practice group.

 

Opportunity to provide feedback on the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Act

The Worker's Compensation Advisory Council will hold a public hearing to gather input on possible statute and rule changes to the Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Act.  The Council will host the hybrid public hearing from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, using WebEx web conferencing technology and in person at 201 E. Washington Ave, Room H103, Madison, Wisconsin, Room H103. In addition, written comments may be submitted through Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

Details for the public hearing and comment submission period are posted on the Wisconsin Public Meeting website and are noted below for your reference:

Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to Steve Peters, Chair, Worker's Compensation Advisory Council, 201 E Washington Avenue, Room C100, Madison, WI 53703, or via email to: WCAdvisoryCouncil@dwd.wisconsin.gov. The submission deadline for written comments is Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.
Public Hearing:

TIME: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
DATE: Dec. 15, 2022
LOCATION: 201 E. Washington Ave, Madison, Conference Room H103
ATTEND VIRTUALLY:  General access information is available on the Wisconsin Public Meeting website. 

Spotlight – Government Affairs Committee Volunteer: Wanda Manning

  How long have you been a member of GMA SHRM? 
3 years 

How long have you been a volunteer with GMA SHRM? 
2 years 

What committee(s) have you volunteered with? What’s been your role with the committee(s) or why did you choose that committee(s)? 
I started as a volunteer with the Government Affairs committee and then moved into the Director role when the position became vacant.  I got involved with the Government Affairs Committee because I enjoyed the Day on the Hill event. I also volunteer with the Human Capital Conference committee (HCC) because this Professional Development event was very impactful, and I liked the idea of helping to pick future speakers.   

Why do you volunteer with GMA SHRM?  
I originally volunteered for leadership roles with GMA SHRM because I felt stagnant in my employment position and was looking for growth and new opportunities. Very soon after connecting with GMA SHRM I found new employment in my current role at UW Madison with a great deal of new opportunities and professional growth. I continue to stay involved with GMA SHRM because the organization provides high quality professional development and the ability to connect with extraordinary HR people. The leaders and members of GMA SHRM are just simply great people. I learn a lot of other professionals and get to have too.  

What would you say to others who are unsure about volunteering with GMA SHRM?
It can be intimidating attending GMA SHRM’s large events if you don’t know anyone else.  So, to make the room seem smaller, start volunteering. Take it slow, start by volunteering for a specific event that seems interesting to you. You will meet a lot of people, have a lot of fun, and will be able to professionally grow through the formal training and by expanding your network and giving you access to people who share their knowledge with you.  There’s really nothing to lose, just give it a try.  

What’s been the biggest “surprise” to you since being a member of or volunteer with GMA SHRM? (Something you didn’t know about the chapter before, or something you think others may not know, or a fun-fact about GMA SHRM leadership, etc.) 
GMA SHRM consistently wins the National SHRM Excel Award for our work serving HR professionals, advancing the HR profession, and enhancing the local SHRM community.  

What’s been the biggest “reward” for you since volunteering with GMA SHRM?  
The biggest reward has been the people I have met through the organization. They are experienced, caring, dedicated, supportive, and fun HR people.  



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