CWSHRM Newsletter - May 2025 
President's Report
It appears that spring is finally here, yet the sun has been scarce. Let's keep our fingers crossed that May brings plenty of sunshine! Until then, mark your calendars for the full-day HR & Labor Law Conference taking place at the Holiday Inn on May 8th. This event promises a day filled with insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and the chance to engage with business leaders and other HR professionals. We're thrilled to roll out our very first fundraising booth in support of the SHRM Foundation! They're the superheroes providing essential education, training, and resources for future HR leaders. So, remember to bring your $CASH$ and join the fun! Registration costs $175 for Non-Members, $150 for Members, and a budget-friendly $75 for Students. There is still time to register at Central Wisconsin SHRM - Meeting/Event Information
We are excited to announce a volunteer opening for the 2026 Membership Director role. To be eligible for the role, applicants for this position must be a National SHRM member by January 1st, 2026. This role is a fantastic opportunity to lead and make an impact within the community. For a detailed job description and application form, please reach out to Jenna at [email protected]
The recent Central WI Business Expo was a success and served as an excellent opportunity to promote Central WI SHRM and our programs. We were thrilled to see so many members and partners actively engaging and fostering connections that strengthen our community.
Great news for our members and supporters! The CWSHRM store will be reopening in May, offering a variety of logo wear for purchase. Stay tuned for more details on how to get your hands on these items and proudly showcase your support for our chapter.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the conference and are excited about the opportunities ahead. Whether you're looking to take on a volunteer leader role or simply want to show your support with some new logo wear, there's something for everyone this spring!
Jenna Resch, SHRM-SCP
President, CWSHRM
CWSHRM Board & Leadership Vacancy
Applications are now open for 2026 Membership Director!
Welcome New Members
Help us in welcoming our new CWSHRM members!
- Krystal Adamski - Heartland Farms Inc.
- Gavin Celia - McClone Insurance
- Jason Chance - The Management Training Company
- Schuyler File - Hausmann Group
- Sara Nikolay - Grassland Dairy Products, Inc.
Calendar of Events
May 8, 2025 - HR & Law Conference
June 12, 2025 - 2025 Benefit Trends
June 29- July 2, 2025 - SHRM25 National Conference - San Diego, CA
July- No Meeting. Enjoy your summer!
August 7, 2025 - **NEW DATE AI in HR & Business: Insights from an Industry Leader
September 11, 2025 - Joint Meeting with SPAHRA *This will be a full-day event. More details coming soon!
**If you register for the meeting but are unable to attend, we kindly ask that you please email [email protected] at least 72 hours before the event. This helps to ensure we have appropriate headcount when placing food orders for the event.
Central WI SHRM is an approved Recertification Provider for SHRM and HRCI
CWSHRM Meetings
AI in HR & Business: Insights from an Industry Leader
August 7, 2025 | 7:30–10:00 AM
Speaker: Israel Squires, J.D.
CEO, Cofounder & Board President of Midpoint Consulting
We're thrilled to welcome Israel Squires to speak at our August CWSHRM meeting! With over 13 years of experience at the intersection of AI and entrepreneurship, Israel is a leading voice in making artificial intelligence accessible and impactful—especially for small and mid-sized businesses.
As the CEO and Co-Founder of Midpoint Consulting, Israel has:
- Raised over $20 million in venture capital
- Led the development of 10+ AI software products from the ground up
- Helped countless companies find product-market fit for AI-driven solutions
- Built a company on the belief that AI is ready to change the world
This session will empower HR professionals and business leaders to understand how AI can streamline operations, elevate people strategies, and drive meaningful growth—without needing a tech background.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the region’s top innovators in AI!
Bring your questions, curiosity, and colleagues—this one’s going to be powerful.
Job Opportunities
Senior Human Resources Manager - Foundation Finance Company Posted 4/10/2025
Human Resources Coordinator - Family Health Center Posted 4/10/2025
HR Coordinator - Architectural Framing Systems (Linetec/WWS) Posted 4/14/2025
Human Resource Manager - Festival Foods- Weston Posted 4/23/2025
Human Resources Technology Specialist - North Central Health Care Posted 4/25/2025
To view other HR postings or post openings through WI SHRM or SHRM National sites, visit Central Wisconsin SHRM - Careers (starchapter.com)
Non-Member job postings: Non-Members may now utilize our CWSHRM resources to post their Human Resources jobs for a fee of $100 per job posting.
New location for CWSHRM members to post job openings: CWSHRM Members can continue to post their HR position openings for FREE by logging into the Member Area and selecting “Post a Job” from the left navigation menu.
Contact CWSHRM at [email protected] with any questions regarding job postings.
CWSHRM Member Forum
Check Out Our Latest Forum Posts!
Have tips, questions, or best practices to share? The CWSHRM forum is the perfect place to connect with fellow HR professionals and exchange ideas. Whether you're seeking advice or offering expertise, your contributions make our community stronger.
UKG - Posted 4/16/2025
Pre-Employment Drug Testing - Posted 4/16/2025
Absence Management for Non-Work Related Injuries - 4/8/2025
Compliance Training - Medical - 4/8/2025
Visit the forum today and join the conversation!
CWSHRM Partners & Sponsors
If you are a business owner or leader interested in partnering with us, we encourage you to submit your application now at Sponsorship Benefits
We are currently accepting applications for our gold, silver, and bronze sponsorship packages for 2025. These packages provide a valuable opportunity to enhance your brand's visibility and connect with an extensive network of professionals and organizations within the Central WI area. As a chapter partner, you will gain access to events, advertising opportunities, and a platform to showcase your products or services. Our chapter is dedicated to ensuring that each partnership is mutually beneficial and aligned with your business objectives. Do not miss this opportunity to expand your reach and engage with a dynamic community. Apply today and let us collaborate towards a successful future!
SHRM National Conference
SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2025
Headed to SHRM National in San Diego? Let's Go Together!
Join Past President Linda Hackbarth and President Elect Carrie Reif at the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo in San Diego this June—one of the biggest and most inspiring HR events of the year!
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned SHRM attendee, we’d love for you to be part of the CWSHRM crew heading to California! We’ll be there to connect, learn, and soak in all the latest insights from thought leaders, innovators, and thousands of HR professionals from around the country.
Going Solo? Not a problem!
We’ve got you. Let us know you’re attending and we’ll buddy up, help you navigate the event, and make sure you get the most out of your experience—plus a few laughs along the way!
Need guidance on planning your trip?
From travel tips to session suggestions, we’re happy to help you make it happen.
Let’s represent Central Wisconsin in style and bring back ideas that move our workplaces forward!
WISHRM Conference
Book Your room for the 2025 WI SHRM State Conference!
Hotel Block is Open- Reserve Your Room Today!
Accommodations are now available for the 2025 Wisconsin SHRM Conference, taking place October 8-10, 2025, at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells.
Rooms sell quickly, and the block closes September 9, 2025, or when rooms are sold out- whichever comes first.
Don't wait- book your room today!
2025 State Conference Hotel & Lodging
Additional Information
Congratulations!
We're excited to announce that Jessica Van Vuren from Creative Design Concrete & Masonry is the lucky winner of the Ruder Ware Gift Basket we gave away at the Business Expo!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth- it was great connecting with so many incredible business leaders and community members.
2025 Award Year Scholarships, Grants, & Awards
🎓 Boost Your HR Career with SHRM Foundation Scholarships & Grants!
Ready to take your HR journey to the next level? The SHRM Foundation is offering over $600,000 in scholarships, professional development grants, and awards designed to support emerging and experienced HR professionals alike. Whether you're pursuing a degree, attending a conference, earning your SHRM certification, or growing as a leader—there’s an opportunity for you!
🌟 Opportunities include:
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Academic scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students
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SHRM certification grants (two windows to apply!)
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Conference and membership grants for professionals and students
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Recognition awards for outstanding HR leadership
With over 300 recipients awarded annually, these programs are helping shape the future of HR—are you ready to be one of them?
👉 Learn more and apply at SHRM Foundation. Your next big step starts here!
Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace: A Shared Responsibility
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Each May, we observe Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage supportive conversations around mental well-being. As HR professionals, we have a unique responsibility and opportunity to influence how mental health is addressed in the workplace.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year, and mental health challenges are one of the leading causes of lost productivity. Yet, stigma and lack of understanding continue to prevent employees from seeking help.
What Can HR Do?
Creating a mentally healthy workplace goes beyond offering an Employee Assistance Program. It requires intentional effort, empathetic leadership, and a culture that values psychological safety. Here are a few ways HR can lead the way:
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Normalize Mental Health Conversations: Share articles, host wellness check-ins, and encourage leaders to talk about mental health openly.
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Promote Work-Life Balance: Model healthy boundaries and empower teams to take time off when needed—mental health days included.
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Educate Managers: Provide training to help leaders recognize signs of burnout or distress and respond appropriately.
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Evaluate Your Benefits: Review mental health coverage, teletherapy options, and flexibility in your workplace policies.
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Foster Connection: Isolation can worsen mental health. Encourage peer support, team engagement, and social interaction.
Small Steps Make a Big Difference
You don’t need a large budget to make an impact. Even simple actions like regularly checking in with employees or offering mindfulness resources can go a long way in showing that your organization cares.
Moving Forward Together
Mental health is a vital part of a healthy workplace. As we continue to navigate evolving employee needs, HR professionals have the tools and influence to promote meaningful change. Let’s continue to build workplaces where mental well-being is prioritized year-round—not just in May.