In 1984 a small group of six HR professionals met in a restaurant on Route 73 to network and discuss items of mutual concern. The meeting was conducted in the restaurant in the midst of other diners and a mariachi band. In spite of the setting, the participants felt the meeting was beneficial to all. It was agreed that they should meet on an on going basis, and try to encourage more HR professionals to attend. The group was formed with the name of the Tri-State Personnel Association, and applied for membership with the American Society for Personnel Administration (ASPA). It was accepted for membership by ASPA as Chapter 413. Rob Harris was elected the first president and was followed by Marian Wissman and Penny Wise. In 1987 Tri-State sponsored its first HR Conference for the local HR community.
Bob Witkoski was elected president in 1988, and the first revision of the bi-laws was completed with a number of new standing committees added. As a professional association, Tri-State operates in line with its established bylaws that are regularly reviewed and updated as the organization changes and evolves. The leadership team that governs Tri-State is composed of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. There are also two at large Board positions and a Board position filled by the immediate past-president. All individuals in those positions (with the exception of the immediate past-president) are elected by the membership and serve a one year term. No person can serve more than two consecutive terms.
In April 1989 membership broke the 100 mark with 104 members on record. By June of the following year membership had reached 150. During this time ASPA changed its name to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a number of Tri-State members were in attendance at the National Conference in Boston in June 1989 when the change was announced.
Tri-State began publication of its newsletter, The Tri-Stater, and mailed copies to its members and non-members in the area. Mailings of the Tri-Stater, conference announcements, and other communications became volunteer events that collectively became known as the “Lick and Stick” parties. Burgers and beer usually followed the “Lick and Stick” parties. Tri-State received its first formal recognition from SHRM as it was awarded an annual Merit Award.
Jim Moran was elected president in 1990 and Tri-State received its first Superior Merit Award from SHRM, and has never earned less than a Superior Merit Award from SHRM since. Membership continued to grow and the 5th annual Tri-State HR Conference was held in 1991. During this time Mike Losey was selected as President of SHRM and Tri-State had the honor of being the first chapter that Mike spoke to as President of SHRM. When Mike retired in 2000 Tri-State was one of the last chapters he addressed before his retirement.
Dan Sell became president in 1992. In 1993 the next major revision of the bylaws was completed. One of major changes was the name change to the Tri-State Human Resource Management Association. Another change was to allow past presidents to serve in a non-voting capacity on the Board of Directors to provide continuity and as a resource to the officers and the Board. The first strategic plan was developed in 1993. As a part of that plan Tri-State’s Vision and Mission Statement was developed, and have remained in place with only minor modifications.
Lauri Plante became president in 1994, and was faced with finding a new home for Tri-State after ten years of monthly meetings at the Cherry Hill Hyatt when the hotel unexpectedly closed its doors. The new home was at the Radisson in Mt. Laurel. Members of Tri-State’s leadership team traveled to Washington, D.C. for a meeting with Representative Rob Andrews and discuss a number of legislative issues and concerns. Tri-State had now grown to the point where it needed to hire its first fulltime administrator.
Dorothy Stubblebine began teaching the PHR/SPHR preparation class through Rowan University in 1995, beginning a long term relationship with Tri-State providing the instructors for the program. Dan Sell and Linda Parthemer joined Dorothy in 1996 with the three dividing up the sessions. The program was offered twice a year, and eventually was expanded to its current schedule at two different locations. This increased the need for additional instructors with Christine Schaefer, Bob Witkoski, Jack Nestor, Laraine Knauss, and Monica McClintock serving in that role.
Jackie Lazarro became president in 1996 as the association continued to grow and progress. The Tri-State HR Conference celebrated its tenth anniversary in 1996. In 1997 Linda Parthemer became president. Tri-State operates its business year from September to September, and it was felt a planning session before the beginning of the new business year would be beneficial. As a result the first annual summer leadership conference was held at Linda’s house to plan and discuss the upcoming business year.
Wayne Tarken became president in 1999 and Tri-State sponsored its first technology symposium in partnership with the Saratoga Institute. More than 200 people attended the event to hear futurist Roger Herman. In 2001 the Delaware Valley HR Person of the Year award program was begun with Tri-State as one of the local sponsoring SHRM chapters. Since then Tri-State members Dorothy Stubblebine, Dan Sell, Diane Wagner, Carol Asselta, Theresa McGlinchey, Monica McClintock, Margie McLaughlin, and Laraine Knauss have been recognized as HR Person of the Year.
Jack Nestor was elected president in 2001 and successfully navigated a number of organizational and financial challenges to help Tri-State successfully position itself for future growth into the 21st Century. In 2002 SHRM’s National Conference was held in Philadelphia and Tri-State provided a number of volunteers. Past president Wayne Tarken was chairman of the host committee and Lauri Plante was in charge of the volunteers. Joe Giamboi was SHRM co-chair for the conference. All who participated as volunteers have been conditioned to always use multiple fingers when pointing at something. Also during Jack’s presidency Tri-State hired P.D. Jones and Associates as its administrator. Tri-State’s HR Conference celebrated its fifteenth anniversary in 2001.
One of the mission statements for Tri-State involves giving back to the communities where its members live and work. The HR 101 Program for Non-Profits was developed by Theresa McGlinchey and annually provides a free one-half day seminar on related HR topics for those members of the local non-profit community who have human resource responsibility in their organizations. Members of Tri-State volunteer as the presenters for the program. Tri-State sponsors an annual golf outing with a portion of the proceeds going to the SHRM Foundation and a portion going to a selected local charity. The local charity is also supported by Tri-State members at the December meeting with donations of items needed by the charity and cash contributions. Over the years Tri-State members have provided hundreds of items and thousands of dollars to various groups.
In 2003 Monica McClintock was elected president, and one of her stated accomplishments was the creation of the Tri-State Comedy Troupe, a collection of Tri-State members who took a different and creative look at the HR profession. In April 2004 members of Tri-State’s leadership team coordinated a trip to Washington, D.C. along with members of the HR Association of South Jersey to meet with each group’s representatives. Tri-State members enjoyed the trip to Capitol Hill and met with Representative Rob Andrews (a high school classmate of Monica’s) to discuss a number of issues and to present him with an honorary Tri-State membership. The by-laws were updated, and Tri-State instituted one membership fee for all members.
Theresa McGlinchey was elected president in 2005. During her presidency Tri-State sponsored a teacher as part of the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce Summer Institute, as another way in which Tri-State gives back to the local community. The HRCI study group was formed to provide members with the opportunity to network and work together to prepare for the PHR / SPHR certification test. In 2006 Tri-State’s HR Conference celebrated its twentieth anniversary. Membership recognition was increased in line with SHRM’s “Advancing the Profession and Serving the Professional” philosophy.
Jerry Dropcho became president in 2007 and Tri-State’s membership exceeded 400. Monthly meetings moved to a new home at the Marriott in Mt. Laurel. Formal budgeting and the use of the balanced scorecard were instituted as management tools to help ensure a clear focus on achieving Tri-State’s mission and vision.
In 2009 Tri-State was recognized by SHRM with its prestigious Pinnacle Award for its annual HR 101 Program for Non-Profits. The Pinnacle Award is presented by SHRM to less than ten chapters each year for initiatives and program that go above and beyond.
Tri-State has played a major role in SHRM’s Garden State Council. Rob Harris, Bob Witkoski, Dorothy Stubblebine, and Jim Moran all became State Directors. Rob Harris went on to become SHRM’s Area I Vice President. Joe Giamboi has also served as Pennsylvania State Director. Other past presidents and members of the leadership team have continued to be active on the Garden State Council as well. In 2010 Jerry Dropcho was elected as New Jersey State Director Elect and will become State Director in 2011.
In 2009 Laraine Knauss was elected president, and the history continues.