I have been volunteering ever since I was in the first grade. My elementary school had a class for physically and mentally challenged children and my parents told me to ask the teacher how I could help. I learned respect and sensitivity at a young age and can’t imagine not being involved in my profession or my community.
This is my third year on the HR Florida State Council and my first year on the HR Florida conference team. What a wonderful experience. I joined the program committee because I wanted to learn more. Unexpectedly, the Program Chair resigned and I stepped up to the plate. Then I had my true HR moment of panic … Oh no, what the *** have I done!!! I learned so much this past year, met a lot of amazing, talented and dedicated people and the chance to work once again with Carol McDaniel, Conference Chair and past HR Tampa president.
At our state council meeting, when Kitty Fields, the HR Florida State Council President, starting talking about the person she was about to introduce as the HR Volunteer of the Year, she talked about dedication, rising to the challenge, participation in conference calls at all hours – Kitty could have been talking about anyone of my team members. When she started talking about what this person has done for certification, I found myself looking around the room somewhat frantically because I could not figure out who was in charge of certification … when I gasped … I realized it was me. The thought of being recognized as the HR Volunteer of the Year still overwhelms me.
Volunteering is straight from the heart. It is the best gift you can give to another and to yourself. Prior to my appointment to the HR Florida State Council as Certification Director, I had the privilege of serving as the HR Tampa Certification Chair for 6 years … and I was afraid that they would not like me … it is a daunting and exciting responsibility.
If you have the employer and family support to get deeply involved or can only give one hour a month … I encourage you to get involved to the best of your capacity. You will be a better person and a better HR Professional for it.
Certification is my passion. I have been volunteering in an HR certification role since 2000 and want to thank HR Florida and HR Tampa for the honor of allowing me to serve you all these years. Until all Florida HR professionals are certified by the HR Certification Institute, I have work to do!
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