Tri-Valley HR Association Offers Education, Networking for HR Professional

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

"Human Resources has the most difficult job I know of in a company," says Jim Fagan, president of the Tri-Valley Human Resources Association (TVHRA). "There are regulations and laws to be aware of, trends to follow, and there's salaries - keeping yourself current with what other companies are doing not only in the area but also in the region and nationally at the same time. And then you've got to be able to put together a benefits package that your employees are going to find of value in order to keep retaining those key employees."

Given the multi-faceted nature of HR, it's no wonder that an organization like the TVHRA exists. The TVHRA provides growth and networking opportunities for members in the human resources community through a variety of workshops, luncheon programs, and other activities. The group was formed in 1986 and is currently the largest local HR organization in the Bay Area, with approximately 150 members consisting of HR professionals, professional consultants, business owners, staffing professionals and HR educators.

"Our goal is to provide current information about HR and the direction that it's going in the future, because if there's one thing I've learned it's that this is an ever-changing, if not changing hourly, business," says Fagan. "Probably the hardest thing to do is to keep up with everything that's going on. We do that by coming together as a common group to discuss current issues and problems that HR people have and we build a series of programs that addresses those individual items."

This year, the group has already held luncheon presentations on topics like "Trends in the HR Environment" and "The Pros and Cons of HR Outsourcing." June's event will include a morning workshop followed by a lunchtime Senior HR Roundtable where senior people from major corporations will speak about the issues and problems they're seeing in their organizations. A mini trade show featuring affiliates who provide services to HR professionals will also be part of the program. As usual, the event and luncheon will be held at the Four Points Hotel and Faz America restaurant, both in Hacienda.

"It's tough for an HR person to be away from the office during the day so we're really trying to pack as much into that visit away from the office (as possible)," Fagan explains.

For additional information on the TVHRA, call (925) 244-5425 or access their web site at www.tvhra.com.

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