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Juanita Baldwin, PHR AHRMA 2013 President ___________________ |
One of my fondest childhood memories involves my family’s annual road trip from the Rio Grande Valley to Houston to visit our cousins. Our adventure included my parents, grandparents, sister, and me, carefully arranged in our trusty station wagon and surrounded by heavy suitcases and serious bags of snacks. No sooner had we pulled out of the driveway, than my sister and I would invariably ask, “so how long before we get there?” We continued this refrain at regular intervals for the next six hours until all the Twinkies and Doritos disappeared and we suddenly woke up from our naps to the sights and sounds of the BIG CITY. Our long anticipated summer vacation had officially begun.
Funny, how decades later, I can recall minute details of our actual road trip (my grandfather’s staccato snores from the back seat; dad humming along to radio tunes, and mom commenting on the colorful wildflowers growing by the side of the road). Yet, I remember very little about our actual vacation week. It’s almost as if, in hindsight, the actual journey was as precious as the final destination.
On so many different levels, I can relate this experience to our current workplace dynamic. It’s not unusual to hear a similar refrain from HR colleagues when we embark on a new project, initiative or task. “Are we there yet?” certainly has a way of allowing us to gauge the distance we need to travel to meet our goals. All too often, in strictly focusing on our destination, we may lose sight of the remarkable views during our journey. We may not spot the co-worker who is excited about mastering a new skill; the manager who seems particularly frazzled and needs extra support; or the remarkable beauty of raindrops (a rare sight indeed in Austin) beating rhythmically against the windshield during our morning commute. Next time I’m in a hurry to “get there,” I sincerely hope I pause, linger a moment, and celebrate the route to my next destination.
Speaking of incredible journey, the AHRMA Board is rocking along at a steady clip and we have much to celebrate:
- AHRMA was named 2012 SHRM Foundation Champion! Kudos to Past Presidents, Lori Rohre and Wendy Chance, for leading the charge in this area.
- Our award winning Stepping Stones Program, coordinated by President-Elect, Renee Polk, is in progress and getting rave reviews from participants.
- Our April 25th, Beyond Total Rewards Program, features an impressive array of speakers who represent Best In Class organizations including Google, Whole Foods, Samsung, Build- A- Sign, and Child, Inc.
- Our Workforce Readiness Day, scheduled for May 23rd, will showcase the central character of Saving the School, Anabel Garza, and author Michael Brick.
- Our Annual Conference, Playbook for Success, scheduled for August 1 & 2 at the Omni South Park Hotel, promises to be another sold-out success.
Registration for our April and May programs is currently open at- www.austinhumanresource.org
I read somewhere that the ancient Mayans did not ask, “how are you?” when they met. Instead, they asked, “How is your road?” If things were going well, the response was “my road is straight.” If your road trip involves professional development, making career connections, or tackling a new HR project, join us for an upcoming AHRMA event. Be sure to bring your enthusiasm, curiosity, and appetite for learning. We’re saving a celebratory seat at the AHRMA table for you.
All the Best,
Juanita Baldwin, PHR
AHRMA 2013 President
WE Are Austin HR. LEAD Strong.
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