Dual Membership: The Formula for HR Success

​Being a member of both the SHRM national organization and your local chapter of SHRM—that is, dual membership—is one of the best ways to maximize your HR resources and the ideal combination to enhance your HR career. SHRM national connects with local groups to expand access to its research, data and training, which support the success and growth of the ever-developing HR profession.

SHRM national has more than 300,000 members in HR and business. It is the leading authority on all things work, workers and the workplace, identifying trends and the needs of HR professionals. SHRM's efforts are enhanced by the efforts of local HR organizations, including over 550 chapters and 51 state councils that provide vital resources and guidance to HR and business leaders within their communities.

Local SHRM affiliates are managed by highly skilled volunteer leaders who serve as regional ambassadors to national SHRM. As fellow HR professionals, they are employed in a variety of industries, organization sizes and geographic locations. Their volunteer work is done outside of their normal job obligations, as they develop programming and networking opportunities and serve as local thought leaders.

Benefits at Every Career Stage

Dual membership can be obtained at all career stages and will help dual members excel in their current roles at any level. Both SHRM national and its local affiliates strive to foster the advancement and success of HR professionals by offering knowledge and support throughout their careers.
 
Undergraduate and graduate students in HR, for instance, can join one of more than 300 SHRM student chapters at nearly 500 colleges and universities. This network ensures that future HR leaders are exposed to the latest business trends and HR standards established by current HR professionals. Under the guidance of an advisor, student chapters establish goals and meet periodically to create activities that help bring their HR curriculum to life.

Emerging professionals with dual membership can likewise enhance their growth and development by fostering their leadership skills and engaging with their peers at a local organization.

Midlevel to senior-level HR professionals can benefit from dual membership by putting their HR knowledge and expertise into practice and cultivating additional growth opportunities in both nationwide and community contexts.

For SHRM-certified professionals, participation in a local chapter or state council is a great way to earn professional development credits toward recertification of their SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential.

Education and Networking 

Many local affiliates host monthly in-person and virtual meetings that cover a wide range of topics to address common HR issues. There are also opportunities for chapter members to network locally at various mixers and informal meetups.

"Being a dual member is so beneficial," said Amanda Yocom, membership director of the Helena, Mont., SHRM chapter. "I get all the national trainings available from national SHRM, as well as state and local trainings monthly. I enjoy having the opportunity to connect to other HR professionals in my area and around the state during the state conference."

Dual membership means more than attending chapter or state events. Active participation in local programming and training is another avenue for professional development.

Leadership Opportunities

A connection to a local chapter or state council can open doors to strengthen one's leadership skills through volunteering. Taking on a volunteer position can help you grow in experience and provide you with more chances to succeed professionally.

Various roles and responsibilities are usually available in local groups:

• Use your skills in event planning or marketing to volunteer as the program or events director.
• Teach or mentor the next generation by volunteering as the emerging professionals director.
• Use your HR experience to impart your wisdom and knowledge as a speaker or presenter at meetings.
• Help those seeking SHRM certification by signing up to be a preparation course instructor or study group leader. 

'More Professional and Proactive'

Two leaders of a Washington state HR organization report that dual membership "has elevated our chapter to a more professional and proactive playing field." Cheyanne Farr, SHRM-SCP, president of the South Puget Sound chapter of SHRM, and Amber Amantea, SHRM-CP, the chapter's membership director, told us that the process has made it "easy" for members who are renewing their SHRM membership to simultaneously elect their group.

"Our members benefit from this partnership by having access to world-class research and data from SHRM national, the ability to easily connect with other professionals in the area through our chapter events, as well as opportunities to stay up-to-date on important HR matters through timely programs our chapter offers. [It] has been a major benefit . . . and we are excited to watch our membership continue to grow."

To learn more about dual membership, visit www.shrm.org/chapters.

Tiffany A. Brown is SHRM's certification specialist for affiliate operations.