Approved for one (1) hour Strategic Business HRCI credit.

Human Resources professionals are being hit from all sides with policy changes from the three branches of government. The Supreme Court has issued their ruling on the 2010 Health Care Reform Act; the NLRB, EEOC, & OFCCP, all parts of the Executive Branch, seem to have a new initiative every month with HR implications; and the outlook for a more active political process in Congress is significant as each party begins to position themselves for the 2012 November elections and beyond. During the next several months, it is critical that HR professionals have access to the most current policy developments that truly seem to be changing by the day.

At the August meeting, WCASHRM members will receive up to date information about the current Public Policy initiatives that effect the HR profession. Thomas Dunlap, PHR, the ARSHRM Federal Legislative Director, is a former high school history teacher who can put these developments into easy to understand language. This presentation will be more than just a listing of all the bills filed in Congress, but rather a deep and impartial look at the politics driving the policy. Not only will you develop a better sense of the background on these initiatives, but you will also be able to plan for the future of your profession…seeing the issues from all sides. Particular discussions include:

• Your organization’s strategic response to the Supreme Court’s Health Care Reform ruling.
• Keeping pace with the extremely active Executive Branch regulatory agencies (NLRB, EEOC, OFCCP, etc.)
• Issues still on the table with this Congress of strategic impact to HR (Paycheck Fairness, Tax Reform, Deficit Reduction, among others)
• Getting involved in the discussion with SHRM’s Advocacy Team, and looking into the future of the next Congress.

Thomas Dunlap, PHR, is the Federal Legislative Affairs Director for the Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management (ARSHRM). He formerly served on the NOARK Board of Directors in Legislative and Certification roles. A former high school American history teacher, he unexpectedly grew interested in Human Resources while working part time at R.E.I, Inc. After taking on larger management roles within R.E.I., Thomas entered the HR profession for good with his current job as the HR/Benefits Administrator for Benton County Arkansas. Benton County’s experience with worksite wellness was recognized as a statewide Best Practice by ARSHRM, and led to Thomas joining the Health Reform conversation through features in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, L.A. Times, and the Washington Post. A graduate of Southern Methodist University and the affiliated Tower Center for Political Studies, he will always be a lifelong student of the American form of government, particularly in how public policy shapes the HR profession.

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