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. 

Three 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. 

• 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.
• Sussex Warren Human Resource Management Association presents "The I-C-U in Workplace Inclusion Workshop"  by Cheryl Haynes, on Oct. 19  from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This meeting will be held both virtually and at Centenary University in Hackettstown, N.J. The I-C-U In Workplace Inclusion Workshop provides attendees with approachable and actionable steps they can employ to encourage and create a workplace culture of compassionate inquiry and psychological safety. I-C-U stands for "I See You," which, when effectively leveraged as an evaluative lens, takes into consideration the unique needs and aspirations of each member of your diverse workforce. Visit us online for more information.
• The Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter (SEPA) of SHRM presents "How to Lead Through C.H.A.N.G.E.," by Andre Young. Change is inevitable; growth is a choice! Enhance your team's leadership, communication skills, professionalism and work/life harmony through change and in spite of change. Develop leaders to build your organization. This event is held at the American Heritage Federal Credit Union Community Room, 2068 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA, 19115 on Nov. 14. Breakfast and Networking start at  8:15 a.m. and the presentation is from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Visit us online for more details.
• 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. Please follow this link for more information on our monthly meetings and how to register!  Chapter Events - Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SEPA SHRM)
• Wabash Valley HR Association invites you to the Annual Legal Seminar on Nov. 3 at Ivy Tech Community College. Attendees will hear from local attorneys who bring their years of knowledge and expertise designed to help you keep your company in compliance. HR and business professionals are encouraged to attend for networking opportunities and the chance to gain key insight into the complexities of employment law. This seminar offers PDCs toward recertification. E-mail info@wvhra.com 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.