HR News and Updates From Across Maine

SHRM Maine 2026 Summer Newsletter

Message from the State Director - SHRM Maine

As we move into summer, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make the annual Maine HR Convention – The Way HR Should Be, such an outstanding success. Presented in partnership with Nimble Group, the convention brought together HR professionals from across the state and beyond for several days of learning, networking, and collaboration. The energy, engagement, and commitment to advancing the HR profession were evident throughout the event, and it was inspiring to see so many HR professionals come together to learn, connect, and grow.

A special thank you to everyone who supported the SHRM Foundation during the conference. Together, we raised $900 to help advance the Foundation's mission of empowering individuals and workplaces through scholarships, inclusion initiatives, and workforce development. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference.

Jessica Roast and I also had the opportunity to attend the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando, where we joined thousands of HR professionals from around the world. It was an incredible experience filled with new ideas, practical insights, and inspiring keynote presentations. One memorable highlight was hearing from Oprah Winfrey, whose message on leadership, intention, and leaning into your purpose, resonated deeply. We also heard from Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., who challenged HR leaders to TAKE BACK HR, continue shaping the future of work with courage, innovation, and a people-first mindset. We look forward to bringing many of the ideas and best practices we learned back to our workplaces, state council and local chapters.

As we continue building momentum, I encourage you to attend the DisruptHR Portland event at Good Theater on June 30, co-hosted by Nimble Group and Lockton Companies. DisruptHR is a fast-paced, engaging evening featuring bold ideas and fresh perspectives designed to challenge conventional thinking and spark meaningful conversations about the future of work. Whether you're a seasoned HR leader or new to the profession, it's an event you won't want to miss.

Other upcoming events are Strategic HR at Mt Washington in November, HR Executive Summit & Retreat in February 2027 in beautiful Sedona, AZ, and it’s never too early to Hold a Seat for the Annual Maine HR Convention in May 2027!

Thank you for your continued dedication to our HR community. I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events as we continue to learn, connect, and lead together.

Enjoy your summer!

Warm regards,

Jodie Griffith

SHRM Maine State Council Director

Events and Programs

Strategic HR at Mt. Washington

November 1-3, 2026 | Bretton Woods, NH | Omni Mt. Washington Resort

Strategic HR at Mt. Washington is not just a conference, it’s a recalibration.

Set at the iconic Omni Mount Washington Resort, this immersive experience brings together 250+ senior HR and People Operations leaders for a one-of-a-kind blend of strategic insight, leadership development, and mountain air.

This isn’t about checking a box for recertification. It’s about stepping into your role as a business leader, someone who understands the numbers, drives change, and helps organizations thrive through their people.

HOLD A SEAT FOR THE 2027 MAINE HR CONVENTION

THE ANNUAL MAINE HR CONVENTION

May 3-6, 2027 | Rockport, ME | Samoset Resort

The Way HR Should Be

The Maine HR Convention is the state’s premier HR conference, presented in partnership with the SHRM Maine State Council, and is the leading event for HR professionals across every stage of their careers. Join 800+ human resource leaders, managers, and practitioners in Rockport, Maine, for four days of bold learning, inspiring keynotes, and rich community connections. Earn SHRM and HRCI recertification credits while exploring innovative HR strategies, practical solutions, and the future of work. Experience HR the way it should be – dynamic, engaging, and unlike any other HR conference in New England. Hold a Seat for 2027.

SAVE THE DATE FOR COMPCON

CompCon

Save the Date! CompCon will be held October 4-6, 2026, at Sunday River.

For more information about this annual workers' comp summit, click here.

BEST PLACES TO WORK IN MAINE

Best Places to Work in Maine

Best Places to Work in ME is a research-driven program from Best Companies Group that examines your company’s practices, programs and benefits and surveys your employees for their perspective. Companies that meet certain criteria are considered the Best Places to Work in ME. Learn more about the program here.

Junior Achievement of Maine

Volunteer Opportunities

Showcase HR career opportunities within the state to students by volunteering with JA Maine! Students can't be what they can't see, which is why JA Maine highlights career pathways available to students by introducing them to mentors in different fields of work and industry. As a volunteer, you’ll be delivering learning experiences focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work and career readiness, while also sharing your professional insight.

Volunteer training and materials are provided, you choose the grade level and classroom, all lessons are laid out for you, and the teacher stays in the classroom with you. Plus, the students think you’re an absolute rock star. Volunteer options include single day and multi-week options, with K-12 grade levels from Presque Isle to York. Learn more here.

Core Leadership Areas

Updates from Core Leadership Areas:

SHRM Scholarships are available. Learn more here.
SHRM Testing Window: The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams are offered during two windows each year. When applying for the exam, you must apply during the application period that coincides with your testing window. Applications must be received by the standard deadline for each window.
Second Test Window: December 1, 2026 - February 15, 2027
Early Bird Application Period: June 3 - August 31, 2026 | 11:59 pm ET
Standard Application Period: September 1 - December 24, 2026 | 11:59 pm ET
Is your organization hiring? Post your job listing to the Maine SHRM Job Board! Click this link to view job listings or to add your own.
Join Maine's Hire-A-Vet Campaign and job seekers statewide for a virtual hiring event on Friday, July 24, from 11am to 1pm! In observance of National Hire-a-Vet Day, we aim to connect veteran and civilian job seekers with resource providers and good-fitting job opportunities. For more information and to register, visit this website.
The Maine Department of Labor has launched two new career planning tools, Career Explorer and JobLink Resume Evaluator. Click here to read more about the new tools.

Employer Resources

INVEST IN YOUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET

The Maine Community College System (MCCS), through the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce, offers funding for training and professional development that advances frontline workers’ skills.

To find out how you might be eligible for a training grant for professional development and training, go to the following link: The Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce .

Chapter News, Events, & Updates

Diversity Hiring Coalition

WE PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, CONNECTIONS, EDUCATION AND RESOURCES TO MAINE EMPLOYERS TO PROMOTE

DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Diversity Hiring Coalition of Maine (DHC) is a non-profit affiliate of SHRM Maine that focuses on providing leadership, connections, education, and resources to Maine employers to promote diversity in the workplace. Organizations can join DHC for just $150 per year and there is no limit to the number of participating individuals within that organization.

Upcoming Meetings:

Leading Beyond the Training: Building Real Leadership Capacity

Speaker: Kate Stitham

August 11, 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00 am

Virtual

Want to learn more about Membership Benefits and what we’re up to?

Please check out:

Ready to join us or rejoin us? You can easily create or renew your organization’s membership online or via check as described on our membership page.

Please contact us at info@dhcmaine.com if you have any questions!

Central Maine Human Resources Association

Upcoming Event:

2026 CMHRA 3rd Annual HR Summit

No Tricks, Just Tools: Practical HR Strategies for Less Scary Workplaces

Eligible for 6 SHRM Recertification Credits

September 25, 2026 | 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Central Maine Community College

WHY CMHRA?

Your resource for Human Resource questions, contacts, and professional development
Network with other HR Professionals, Office Managers, HR Affiliates and Small Business Owners at monthly meetings
Learn about current HR issues from local and state experts
Participate in discussions about HR challenges
Dive into a sea of HR related resources
Take advantage of HR Professional Development opportunities

If you are interested in joining the Central Maine Human Resources Association, please visit us at cmhra.org.

Human Resources Association of Southern Maine

Please consider joining, or rejoining HRASM as a member for our Event Season! We host programs from February – December and our membership is open on our website. You can sign up here. Scholarship opportunities are available.

Upcoming Meetings:

September HRASM Meeting

September 8, 2026 | 8 - 9:30 am

Speaker: Steve Silver, Littler Mendelson P.C

Location: TBA

New HRASM Board Members

HRASM welcomes our newest board members, Cari Gochenouer as Chair of Certifications & Scholarships, and Bethany Laverriere as Chair of Marketing & Sponsorships. HRASM is very grateful to Cari and Bethany for their service to the board!

HRASM Member Benefits

Annual membership directory of over 200 local HR professionals;
Ten professional development programs each year;
Opportunities for networking on a regular basis. Members benefit from discussing challenges and victories and sharing them with each other;
Scholarships for continuing education, seminars, conventions, etc.;
Availability of SHRM and HRCI credentialing credits;
Notifications of the most recent regulatory information that can impact your business;
Generating new business;
Information shared on other educational and scholarship opportunities around the state.

Contact Membership at hrasmmembership@gmail.com.

Kennebec Valley Human Resources Association

Meetings will return this fall. Stay tuned for updates.

Visit us to enroll in membership or sign up for KVHRA programs or to access speaker handouts from past programs. Any individual who signs up for membership will translate into half-price memberships for any additional person(s) within the same organization.

Northeast Society for Human Resource Management

Meetings will return this fall. Stay tuned for updates.

NESHRM’s membership is a diverse group of HR professionals dedicated to sharing thought leadership and resources to promote best practices and continuous improvement in the field of HR and maintaining up to date knowledge and information on HR and Business Law through our Legislative updates.

If you are interested in becoming a NESHRM member, please check out our website for our membership application.

Visit our Facebook Page: Here!

Interest in Becoming a Member?

Fill out our Membership Application: Here!

MidCoast Human Resources Association

The MidCoast Human Resources Association (MCHRA) is an organization of human resource professionals from both small and large organizations with specialist and generalist backgrounds.

Meetings will return this fall. Stay tuned for updates.

Membership Benefits

Networking Opportunities – access to professionals and specialists in the area. Learn best practices that have been effective in other organizations.
Professional Development – Provides a medium for sharing information on current human resources trends and methods as well updates on laws affecting human resource management.
Leadership Opportunities – Build a reputation and credentials in the Human Resource field through a volunteer leadership role in our organization. Expand your speaking and communication skills especially in conducting meetings.

For more information or to join MCHRA click here. Follow us on Facebook for more updates.

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Human Resource Association of Eastern Maine

Meetings will return this fall. Stay tuned for updates.

If you are an HR Professional in Eastern Maine and the Greater Bangor Area and would like to become a member, please visit our website.

Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) News

EARN SHRM SPECIALTY CREDENTIALS

Stand out among your peers with a SHRM Specialty Credential. By earning a SHRM Specialty Credential, you’ll build specialized knowledge, expand your influence and display your elevated competence in a specific field of practice. Once you earn your specialty credential, you will receive a certificate of achievement, along with a digital badge verifying your specialty and positioning you to rise above your peers.

How to earn a SHRM Specialty Credential:

1. Purchase the specialty credential package that aligns with your professional goals.

2. Attend the live, instructor-led seminar (in person or online).

3. Participate in topic-focused eLearning modules.

4. Pass the online assessment.

You do not need to be SHRM certified to earn a SHRM Specialty Credential, but earning the specialty credentials is an approved professional development activity for recertification credits toward your SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® certification.

For a Complete List of Current SHRM Specialty Credentials

Click here!

Finally, to access the SHRM Certification Portal, Click Here!