By Tim Read, CAE

Total rewards in the workplace are now multi-faceted, flexible, and often targeted to satisfy specific employee segments.  Similarly, the ‘Total Rewards’ of belonging to BC HRMA have never been stronger. Our member benefits have evolved into an array of products, services and programs unrecognizable from even the turn of the millennium. Many are designed for all members to benefit from while others target specific segment needs.

BC HRMA’s broad spectrum of programs are designed with one key goal in mind —to advance your professional people practices. At a personal level this translates into enhancing the quality of your HR career in both the short and long term. Whether it be through pursuit of the CHRP designation, other professional development, networking or volunteering, BC HRMA’s activities are designed to help foster the growth and mobility of any HR professional.

Visionary New Benefits

In other cases, the rewards of BC HRMA membership are translated directly as savings. Custom-fit and bottom line focused, the new BC HRMA Employee Benefits Plan is a prime example. Featuring an 18-month guarantee and up to a 13 per cent premium reduction in rates it brings the added benefit of free BC HRMA professional development opportunities and memberships. With the BC HRMA Vision Plan, we partnered with Canada’ largest online retailer of glasses and contact lenses, ClearlyContacts.ca, to develop better vision benefits for our membership.  What really makes this unique is that it includes a free pair of designer eyeglasses for you, your staff and families.

Whether you are a student, an emerging practitioner, mid-career professional or senior leader, BC HRMA is your association. Here’s a summary of the membership benefits available:

Key Services

CHRP Designation—Research shows Certified Human Resources Professionals (CHRPs) earn more and get promoted faster than those you are not designated. BC HRMA provides preparation courses, study groups, exam sittings and support along the way.

HR Metrics Service—Stay ahead of the knowledge curve with this ground-breaking data-source for monitoring and comparing the effectiveness of your HR strategies.

Job Board—BC HRMA’s online job board is BC’s only targeted HR career site, and it is exclusive to our members.

Key Events

BC HRMA Conference & Tradeshow—The largest HR event in Western Canada bring stogether over 1,000 HR professionals for two full days of learning, networking and celebrating.

Professional Development—BC HRMA is the largest provider of HR-related professional development courses in BC, providing diverse, high-quality learning opportunities including full and half-day workshops, webinars, and symposiums.

Roundtables—Our free-to-member roundtables are lively, popular events which bring members together across BC to learn and discuss HR issues.

Mingles & Events—Leverage the power of networking and connect with practitioners at all levels.

Key Communications

HRVoice.org—The key hub for all BC HRMA communications featuring an ever-evolving editorial stream of professional insights, opinion and HR news.

PeopleTalk—As the province’s largest HR publication and BC HRMA’s quarterly membership magazine, PeopleTalk delivers thought-leadership directly into member’s hands.

ResearchVOICE—Your best source of information on key trends and effective HR practices, with current white papers and links to problem solving HR information sources.

Social media—Connect with us online through BC HRMA’s Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube sites.

Key Connections

Professional Mentoring Program—Matches members one-on-one with other members to enhance the professional development of both.

Member Directory—This members-only online service helps members expand their network and make professional connections.

Volunteering—Whether as an advisory council member, roundtable lead, workshop host, committee member or on the Board of Directors, hundreds of BC HRMA members lend their time and energies to the support of one another and their profession.

Advertising and Sponsorship—If your organization needs to reach HR professionals, there is no better targeted route than through BC HRMA advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Bundle up for even better membership savings.

The Keys to Your HR Career

Career Path Tool—This online tool provides the information to support informed decisions about career opportunities, career paths and professional development.

Career Advancement Network (CAN)—Offers employment-seeking members two methods of connecting with the right people: online CAN Profiles or attending a CAN roundtables (in select regions).

BC HRMA Professional Awards—Recognize your fellow professionals with this annual program. Categories include the Rising Star Award, Awards of Excellence, Fellow CHRP, and Honourary Life Member.

Student Scholarships—Student members can benefit from scholarships and bursaries BC HRMA offers through a variety of post-secondary institutions.

Membership Discounts—Your membership provides valuable savings on the cost of many BC HRMA offerings ranging from $200 off annual Conference registration and 30 per cent off professional development registration. And don’t forget the savings available from the recently introduced BC HRMA Employee Benefits Plan and BC HRMA Vision Plan.

Explore the total rewards of BC HRMA membership further at www.bchrma.org.

Tim Read, CAE is BC HRMA’s Member Relations Manager for the Southern Interior, Central Interior, Northern and Yukon regions.

(PeopleTalk Summer 2013)