Step up Your Professional Development: Earn PDCs Locally

Looking for a convenient and close-to-home or close-to-work option to earn professional development credits (PDCs) to recertify your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP? SHRM's chapter network - composed of over 550 chapters nationwide - and the 53 SHRM state councils across the U.S. offer programs, seminars, conferences and other opportunities to earn PDCs. At the annual gathering of chapter and state council leaders in February, we asked the volunteer leaders of these SHRM affiliates to send us their top local picks for learning. We share them with you - because becoming involved in your local chapter or state council is a great way not only to learn but also to network with other HR professionals in your region and volunteer for the chapters or state council. 

Four months ago, we began featuring professional development programs offered by chapters and state councils. This will help you plan your professional development calendar for the remainder of the year. This is the fourth article in the series that continues through November. In these features, we offer programs that are scheduled for the upcoming three months so you can plan ahead. 

In general, when you join your local chapter and attend the events hosted there, you can earn 1 to 3 PDCs. You can choose between webinars and in-person meetings.

To increase the number of PDCs you earn, you can also present on a topic of interest to your local chapter or to the state council. One great example of this: Local SHRM members convene to jointly attend a program offered by a recertification provider, then hold follow-up discussions on these professional development programs. If your local SHRM affiliate is looking to add a global element or to broaden the scope of educational programming to a national or international level, chapters can leverage virtual programs offered by global or other national recertification provider organizations and encourage members to earn additional credits by joining the group for the program.

Also, LinkedIn hosts offerings from several speakers and a variety of organizations on HR-specific topics, and they are generally free events, with credits that can be used toward SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. This is a perfect opportunity for you to volunteer to structure and lead a LinkedIn Learning discussion during your regularly scheduled chapter meeting. The chapter certification director can then submit all presentations for PDCs - whether it's a new topic developed and presented by chapter members, or virtual programs offered by other recertification providers for PDCs. This makes the programming attractive to everyone - it is a perk for the whole group!

Leverage the PDCs earned for the program but discuss key takeaways and workplace applications as a group to increase the number of PDCs by coupling the length of the learning program with the time set aside for discussion.

These programs are coming up in your local area. Plan now to attend one, and take action to reserve your spot.

• Austin (Texas) SHRM presents HR Success at Scale on Dec. 13 from 10:55 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Norris Conference Center in Austin. Bobby Humes, lead consultant of BH Consultancy, will explore the significance of organizational culture, strategy, and HR impact. He'll delve into fostering presence through perception and proximity and understanding the aftermath of HR actions. Bobby will discuss the importance of intern partnership development, shared success, and cross-team collaboration. Participants will be challenged to explore their reflection practices, self-care, and team care. Participants will learn about the value of coaching others through co-creation, building trust, and consistency in navigating internal relationships that have a lasting impact on teams, leaders, and organizations. Visit us online for more information.
• CNY SHRM New York. Save the date for the December program with Jason Smorol of the Syracuse Mets, on Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. For more information on this program or to add the meeting to your calendar, visit us online.
• DC SHRM presents its Arts Carnival Networking Happy Hour - our final event of the year - on Dec. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Arts Club at Dupont Circle. Attendees will enjoy gourmet carnival-style snacks, desserts, beer, and wine, while traveling through an array of art stations. Connect with colleagues and expand your network while creating a piece of art that you'll take with you. Visit us online for more information.
• Pennsylvania SHRM (State Council) hosts three signature conferences and events throughout the year: the Legal and Legislative Conference in the spring, the Volunteer Leadership Conference in the summer, and the Annual State Conference in the fall. All of these events bring in HR professionals from around the state and deliver outstanding learning, professional development, and networking opportunities to our members, sponsors, and exhibitors. Visit us online for more information.
• Plan now to join Springfield (Missouri) Area HRA for its Annual Southwest MO HR Conference & Expo, to be held in April 2024. Visit us online to learn more and register.
• The Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter (SEPA) of SHRM hosts monthly meetings, which are either virtual or onsite at the American Heritage Credit Union in Northeast Philadelphia. Visit us online to learn more and register.
• Tri-State Human Resources Association invites you to join its holiday lunch and raffle to benefit local nonprofits on Dec. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Freeman Business Center in Joplin, Mo. Visit us online for more information.
• Wabash Valley HR Association invites you to join its holiday celebration on Dec. 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dress in festive attire and join your fellow WVHRA members for networking as we celebrate 2023 and look ahead to 2024. Email info@wvhra.com for more information or visit us online for more information. 

Just like all other organizations, SHRM chapters and state councils are always looking to recruit talent. Consider stepping into an HR volunteer role. This allows you to network and give back to the profession and your local HR colleagues. Investigate the opportunities in your local area by engaging with your SHRM chapter and state council.