The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) announced the winners of this year’s Pinnacle Awards on November 16 during its 2012 Leadership Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor Hotel & Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Created in 1991, the award is the highest achievement SHRM state councils and chapters can attain, and it honors programs that exceed the standard activities of SHRM affiliates in enhancing the creation of effective HR management.

As a volunteer leader traveling around the state, I often come across HR professionals who ask me, “Just what is HR Florida?” The quick answer is HR Florida represents over 13,000 members as the state affiliate for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and serves as the link between the members, the local chapters, and SHRM. As the global voice of our profession, SHRM sets the agenda.

What is it that you have hired your employees to do? Do you have an accurate job description that explains their job? Has it been updated when job duties changed or were modified from the original objectives? Your employees want to succeed. Do not set up your good employees for failure. They need to know very specifically what it is you would like them to do. Despite popular belief, they cannot read your mind.

HR Florida could not be successful without the hard work and support of our volunteer leaders, those chapter presidents and board members who make up the HR Florida State Council. This annual award recognizes a volunteer who actively supports, promotes, and develops the human resource profession through volunteerism.

HR Florida hosted its second annual Day on the Hill in Tallahassee, Florida on February 15-16, 2012, during the midst of the 2012 Legislative Session. This year’s event was held at the very cosmopolitan Hotel Duval and began with an evening wine and cheese reception where members enjoyed networking.

The Southeastern Student SHRM Conference was held at Clemson University March 23-24, 2012. The Student Chapter of South Brevard SHRM represented HR Florida. The event was comprised of speakers and HR Games. The speakers covered topics from the importance of networking to a keynote from Kevin C. Synder on Passion= Productivity=Performance.

For the second consecutive year, SHRM has recognized one of HR Florida State Council’s District Directors for having advanced SHRM initiatives and the HR Florida State Council mission.

The very successful 2011 Central Florida Workforce Connections Summit, presented by the Central Florida Human Resources Association (CFHRA) featured a series of presentations and panel discussions focused on ways to link employers, education, and government to build a stronger community. The event was held on September 27, at the Wyndham Hotel, Orlando.

Orlando, FL—In the presence of over 1500 HR leaders at the 2011 State Conference, our award sponsor, Allan Weitzman (partner with Proskauer Rose, LLP) presented the HR Florida Professional of the Year Award to Karen Anderson, SPHR. This annual award recognizes a human resource leader who has advanced the profession in a significant way. “Best in class,”—individuals nominated for this award— serve as role models for the profession by setting the standard for others to follow and applying their expertise to enhance organizational effectiveness.

Orlando, FL—HR Florida could not be successful without the hard work and support of the volunteer leaders, our chapter presidents and board members who make up the HR Florida State Council. This annual award recognizes a volunteer who actively supports, promotes, and develops the human resource profession through volunteerism. Chapter presidents selected the winner by evaluating nominees on the overall contributions the nominee has made to support the chapters, to advance the profession, and to drive council effectiveness through outstanding approaches, innovative ideas, and promotion of the Society and Council.