Wouldn’t it be nice if there was something to make this HR thing easier to do? Maybe if there was some sort of way to meet other professionals and share ideas and trade best practice tips, then we all would feel less like we’re treading water and more like we’re making a difference. Wait a minute, there is a way to do that, and it’s your local SHRM chapter!

Everyone should be involved with a local chapter. It wasn’t until I started taking HR seriously and began attending local meetings that my career started to flourish (and no, I don’t think it’s a coincidence!). Every possible demographic of HR professionals-from entry level to experienced veteran-has something that they can gain from a membership with a nearby SHRM chapter (Find a local SHRM chapter here).

Volunteer Opportunities

In recent weeks, this is the activity that has caught my eye more and more. There are dozens of ways to get involved with a local chapter through volunteering, from planning events and helping with new member orientation to interacting with HR students and stuffing packets before an event. Email someone from your chapter to find out who to contact in your area of interest. They will be more than happy to speak with you!

Career Networking

HR people need jobs, too. And, in a unique twist, human resources is one of the tougher fields to break into. It’s the whole “you need experience to have a job, but you need a job to get experience” conundrum. However, in your local SHRM organization, there are people actively searching for highly-talented individuals. You never know who you’ll sit next to at an event or who will be working with you in a volunteer committee, and just a single contact could help you to land the HR position of your dreams.

Knowledge Sharing

Years ago, HR was a vague collection of thoughts and ideas. Today, it’s becoming more technological and strategic. It’s hard to keep up with every new topic that comes around, and you only have so much time to dedicate to any one subject. Did you realize that everyone else is in that same position? They are all trying to accomplish the same things with the same limitations. What if you took the networking contacts that you’ve made and used them to learn about EAPs, FSAs, or Twitter? Maybe someone has a vendor they would (or wouldn’t) suggest using? Knowledge is power, and sharing that knowledge makes all of us more powerful.

In conclusion, it’s very easy to see why people join, and I’ve only scratched the surface on how it can benefit you. I really didn’t even delve into the other side of the equation (i.e. how your participation helps the chapter). The experiences and potential benefits of joining your local chapter far exceed those of nearly any other tool available to HR professionals. Check out your local chapter and get plugged in. You’ll be glad you did.