August 2026 Newsletter
A Message from Our President
Benefits, Benefits, Benefits!
At any point in the year, we are simultaneously helping employees make the most of our organization's benefit offerings, researching and evaluating new benefit opportunities, determining benefit costs, and presenting employer contribution options to leadership.
Our goal is simple: to positively drive organizational performance through the win-win of providing employees with a competitive total rewards package that aligns with our organization's values and fiscal goals.
The combination of rising healthcare costs and ongoing economic uncertainty requires HR professionals to be both intentional and creative in the development and administration of employee benefits. Adding supplemental insurance options and increasing employee awareness of expanded Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits are two low-cost strategies that can strengthen our benefits administration toolbox.
This year, my organization is exploring the addition of long-term care insurance as a supplemental benefit option. Interest in this benefit continues to grow due to the flexibility it offers (i.e. health services provided in the home) as well as uncertainty regarding the future availability of Medicaid benefits.
How are you approaching the review of your organization's benefit offerings? SHRM provides a variety of excellent online resources to support benefits planning and decision-making. Most recently, SHRM released its 2026 Employee Benefits Survey. SHRM members can access and filter the survey results by logging into the SHRM website and visiting: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/employee-benefits-survey.
I wish you success as you work to develop and implement a total rewards strategy that benefits employees, supports organizational objectives, and positions your organization for long-term success.
Warm Regards,
April Perry
President, SHRM Howard County
SHRM Howard County Important Info
SHRM Howard County Fall Conference - AGENDA rELEASED!
Join us on September 17 at the Maryland Innovation Center for a morning of learning, networking, and practical insights designed for today's HR professionals. The agenda features thought-provoking sessions on the evolving role of HR leaders, breakout discussions focused on retention through stronger leadership, and a featured presentation on leading change and becoming an effective change agent. We'll wrap up with an engaging fireside chat exploring how HR can build influence as a strategic business partner, followed by lunch and networking with fellow professionals. Whether you're looking for fresh ideas, actionable strategies, or meaningful connections, this conference will equip you to lead at the center of change.
Agenda Highlights:
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Breakfast & Networking
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Opening Keynote: HR at the Center of Change
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Breakout Sessions
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Featured Session: Change, Change Management, Being a Change Agent
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Closing Fireside Chat: Building Influence: HR as a Strategic Leader
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Lunch & Networking
Save your seat today!
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026 |
Time: 8:00a to 1:00p
Location: Maryland Innovation Center | 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr Columbia, MD 21046
Pricing
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$75.00 member rate
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$95.00 non-member rate
Check out the event page for more details and to register.
Sponsorship Opportunities
SHRM Howard County Fall Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
We invite member organizations and business partners to showcase their brand through a variety of sponsorship opportunities designed to provide visibility before, during, and after the event. Available sponsorships include:
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Exclusive Lunch Sponsor – $1,000
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Welcome Sponsor – $1,000
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Exclusive Swag Bag Sponsor – $500
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Exclusive Featured Session Sponsor – $500
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Exclusive Closing Session Sponsor – $500
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Refreshments Sponsor – $350
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Breakout Session Sponsor – $250
In addition to on-site recognition, sponsors may receive benefits such as event signage, logo placement on marketing materials, LinkedIn recognition, speaking opportunities, attendee engagement opportunities, and more depending on the sponsorship level.
Please contact Greta Barnes, Sponsorship Chair, at [email protected] to learn more and set up your sponsorship today.
Thank you for supporting SHRM Howard County and helping us deliver a valuable experience for our HR community.
Upcoming Events
AUGUST MONTHLY MEETING
AI in HR
Speaker: Russell Smith
Date: Aug 20, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Maryland Innovation Center
6751 Columbia Gateway Dr
Columbia, MD 21046
About our Program:
As AI continues to reshape the workplace, HR leaders have a unique opportunity to lead both the strategy and the conversation. The topics will cover:
Everyday HR Productivity: “Small Wins” That Actually Stick
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Drafting policies, employee communications, and offer letters
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Summarizing interviews or meeting notes
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Writing performance reviews / feedback frameworks
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Automating internal HR email responses
Risks, Ethics, and Compliance
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Bias in hiring algorithms
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Lack of transparency (“black-box decisions”)
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Data privacy (employee monitoring, sensitive data use)
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Legal exposure and regulatory changes
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Inflation of “Key Person Risk” – AI enables a person to handle more work
How SMB HR Teams Should Start
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How to speak to leadership about AI Adoption
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Crawl, Walk, Run Approach
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How to introduce AI to your employees in a non-threatening way
Whether your organization is just beginning to explore AI or looking to expand adoption, this discussion will provide practical guidance on how to start thoughtfully and lead confidently.
thank you to Reveal Wealth for sponsoring this event!
At Reveal Wealth, we care about your life and how your money impacts it. We take a holistic approach to wealth management by first learning everything we can about you, and then helping you make wise financial decisions that keep your money aligned with what matters most to you. With more than 30 years of combined industry experience, we have the knowledge and experience to help you grow, protect, and pass on the wealth you’ve worked so hard to create.
HR Quick Take
Preparing for Performance Conversations Before Year-End
As summer winds down, now is the ideal time to encourage managers to reconnect with employees before the year-end review cycle. Leaders should set up time to discuss progress toward goals, recognize achievements, identify development opportunities, and remove barriers to success. Frequent coaching conversations lead to stronger engagement, fewer surprises during performance reviews, and better business outcomes. Investing just 30 minutes now can make year-end conversations significantly more meaningful for both managers and employees.
Performance conversations are most effective when they focus on the future—not just evaluating the past. Encourage managers to ask open-ended questions like, "What's been your biggest accomplishment this year?", "What challenges are getting in your way?", and "What skills or experiences would help you grow?" These discussions build trust, reinforce accountability, and demonstrate a genuine investment in employee development. A simple conversation today can strengthen engagement, improve retention, and set the stage for a more successful year-end review process.
News from Maryland State Council
MDSHRM Annual Conference 2026
SHRM MD Annual Conference
October 4-6, 2026
Ashore Oceanfront Hotel Ocean City, MD
Join HR professionals from across the state for the SHRM Maryland Annual Conference, taking place October 4–6, 2026, at the Ashore Oceanfront Hotel in Ocean City, MD. As Maryland's largest HR conference, this three-day event offers an outstanding opportunity to earn recertification credits, discover innovative HR solutions, and connect with hundreds of peers while enjoying Maryland's beautiful coastline.
This year's program features nationally recognized keynote speakers, 16 breakout sessions covering topics including leadership, employment law, AI, benefits, employee engagement, and compliance, as well as networking events, an exhibit hall, and engaging social activities. Highlights include employment law updates from Christine V. Walters, a keynote on building high-performing teams by Fahd Alhattab, and a forward-looking session from Kashonna Marrow on the future of HR leadership.
Registration Pricing: Full Conference Rate: $799
Visit this site: Maryland SHRM State Council, Inc. - Meeting/Event Information to register
