FEBRUARY 2026

Society for Human Resource Management (VSHRM) serves the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond, supporting HR professionals through education, networking, and leadership development. We’re your local resource for HR knowledge, community, and growth. Learn more and get involved at https://vshrm.shrm.org/



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Tuesday, February 10th | 11:15 am - 1:15 pm

Take Back Control of High Benefit Costs

with A Tailored Strategy

VSHRM welcomes our Gold Resource Partner, Brown & Brown, as our February speaker!


Join us for an interactive session focused on helping employers take control of rising health care costs without sacrificing quality. Employee Benefits Consultants Rich Grenay and Scott Fritz will share proven strategies and national trends shaping today’s benefits landscape.


What You’ll Learn:

  • Cost‑management strategies that deliver measurable savings
  • How a clear, proactive strategic plan drives better outcomes
  • Innovative benefit programs that boost employee satisfaction and retention
  • Ways to leverage technology to simplify administration and eliminate redundancies


Rich and Scott’s expertise spans strategic planning, compliance, labor and carrier negotiations, renewal management, member education, and benefits technology. Their individualized, data‑driven approach consistently helps organizations improve ROI, enhance engagement, and streamline operations.


Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and strengthen your benefits strategy for long‑term success.

Welcome Scott Fritz!

Welcome Rich Grenay!

MEETING & REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Register Here:

https://vshrm.shrm.org/forms/2026-february-meeting-registration

🎈Saginaw Watch Party

  • Location: Horizon's Conference Center, 6200 State St., Saginaw, MI 48603
  • Lunch Provided!
  • VSHRM Members $30.00 | $15.00 Virtual
  • Non-Members $35.00 | $20.00 Virtual
  • Student $10.00 | Free Online!

🎈Flint Watch Party

  • Location: Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, Kommareddi Room, 1026 East Kearsley St.
  • Host is Julie Bellamy. Please email rsvp@vshrm.org if attending in Flint.
  • Bring your own lunch
  • Registration is free
  • Parking available on location

🎈Mt. Pleasant Watch Party

  • Location: Grawn Hall, Room 150E, CMU
  • Host is Dr. Amy McGinnis
  • CONTACT AMY AT (989) 860-6598 or amy.beth.mcginnis@cmich.edu if attending in Mt. Pleasant.
  • Registration & Lunch is free
  • Parking: Metered spots nearby or guest pass ($5 recommended) for CMU Lots 1C or 2C off Douglas.
  • Guest parking info: CMU Guest Permit

Please register by Thursday, February 5th. Registrations received after this date are subject to an additional $10 late fee.


This meeting is part of the 2025-2026 Fast Pass! If you have VSHRM's Fast Pass and attending this meeting, please register today!

Valley SHRM is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification activities.

President's Message

Warm greetings,


As we move into February, I’m proud to reflect on the incredible momentum happening across VSHRM—proof that not even well-below-average temperatures (or the courage it takes to brave them) can slow down this HR community. 

That momentum was clearly on display at Elevate HR: Mind, Tech, & Trust, where feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. More than 90% rated the program as excellent, with many sharing that it exceeded expectations and stood out as one of our strongest January programs to date. Participants highlighted the engaging and relatable speakers, practical takeaways they could immediately apply, meaningful networking opportunities, and a well-organized experience from start to finish.


We are grateful for the continued support of our resource partners and event sponsors, whose involvement helps strengthen our chapter and supports the programming we’re able to offer throughout the year.



We currently have an open Secretary position on the VSHRM board and welcome interest from members who may be considering board involvement. If you’d like to learn more about serving in this role or future opportunities, please reach out to a member of the VSHRM board.


Looking ahead, I hope you’ll join us for our February Monthly Meeting at Horizons, presented by our Gold Resource Partner, Brown & Brown. This session will focus on benefit strategies, offering timely insights and practical ideas you can take back to your organizations.



Please also save the date for our Legal Update on May 12, 2026, along with our Annual Silent Auction. These events continue to be highlights of our year—providing valuable legal updates while supporting our chapter and the work we do together.


Finally, we’re excited to share another milestone: VSHRM has reached 1,000 followers on LinkedIn. This growth reflects the strength of our community and the engagement of members who continue to support, share, and amplify the work of our chapter.


Thank you for being such an engaged and supportive part of VSHRM. Whether you’re joining us in person, connecting online, or cheering us on behind the scenes, your involvement truly makes a difference. I hope to see many of you at our February meeting—and until then, stay warm and take care!


Think Safe. Be Well.

Wendy Yelsik, PHR, SHRM-CP

Human Resources Director | Fabiano Brothers, Inc.

President, Valley SHRM

📱 (989) 621-4819

🔗 LinkedIn


COLLEGE RELATION NEWS


SHRM FOUNDATION


GRANTS & AWARDS AVAILABLE


Before applying, be sure to review 10 Tips for Applying for SHRM Foundation Scholarships to strengthen your application.


For more information on these scholarships and awards, visit the SHRM Foundation.


Questions about the SHRM Foundation or need assistance with fundraising ideas for your chapter, feel free to reach out!

Call: 734.576.0867

Email: sragland_keys@jovie.com


Apply Today, Invest in Your HR Career, and Help Strengthen the HR Profession Across Michigan!


Deadline is March 13, 2026!


Health and Benefits Strategy Survey Results

This survey highlights a benefits landscape increasingly shaped by rising costs and shifting employer priorities. The full report explores how these changes are redefining benefits strategies for the year ahead.

Click for FULL REPORT: Employer Health & Benefits Strategy Survey Results

ASE Compensation Survey

Competition for talent is fierce. To effectively compete for that talent your compensation plans must be competitive and in line with the market.  To help you remain competitive, VSHRM and ASE have partnered allowing you to participate in ASE’s highly regarded Compensation Survey.  Survey closes on 2/20/26.

GET FREE REGIONAL COMPENSATION DATA! LEARN MORE HERE- https://www.aseonline.org/Survey-HR-Resources/Survey-Data/Compensation-Survey-VSHRM

MISHRM Legal Conference!

Don’t leave compliance to chance. The SHRM Michigan Legal Virtual Conference equips HR professionals with timely legal updates, practical solutions, and expert-led strategies for navigating today’s workplace issues. Gain clarity, minimize risk, and return with tools you can put to work right away.


Learn more about:

  • Preventing & Responding to Discrimination or Harassment in the Workplace
  • Preparing for Change: Essential 401(k) Plan Amendments for Year End Compliance
  • Building Defensible Workplace Investigations: When to Act, How to Execute, and Case Closure
  • Navigating the Legislative Landscape: Key Update & Strategies for HR Professionals


Join SHRM Michigan on

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 8:30AM - 11:30AM.

Register for the conference HERE!

Training Opportunity in Flint!

The Talent Horizon Summit will dive into the future of the regional talent landscape and equip human resources, talent professionals, and educational partners with the knowledge to help grow and retain area talent.


Learn more about:

  • How talent trends will shape business priorities in 2026
  • Tools to retain, develop, and upskill your workforce
  • Partnering to build a stronger regional talent ecosystem


Join Flint & Genesee Education & Talent on

Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 8:30AM - 12:00PM.

Register for the summit HERE!

🎉 Join us in welcoming our newest VSHRM members! 🎉


We're thrilled to welcome these professionals into the VSHRM community:


  • Cara Petoskey Hausbeck Pickle Company
  • Makennha Squires Mid Michigan Community Action Agency


Your expertise and passion for HR make our network stronger, and we can't wait to collaborate, learn and grow together. Here's to building meaningful connections and driving positive impact - welcome aboard!

The winner of the January Gift Card Drawing is…

(drum roll, please 🥁)


Abigail Bernstein - from SK Siltron

Congratulations! 🏆


Thank you to everyone who participated—your involvement makes these drawings exciting. Stay tuned for February's chance to win!



👉 To be eligible for the drawing, meeting attendees must respond to the survey and provide their name.


📱 VSHRM Now Offers Text Updates!



Stay in the loop with the latest VSHRM news, events, and reminders—right on your phone!

Sign up for our text list here:


https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/amKEpE4

After signing up, you’ll receive an automated message from VSHRM asking you to confirm your subscription. Be sure to text back “YES” to complete the process and start receiving updates.



We’re excited to keep you connected—fast, easy, and direct!

Heads-Up for Employers:

2026 Law Changes to Watch

A recent blog by Jack Mahon, Associate of Dykema, outlines major 2026 changes affecting Michigan employers, including minimum wage increases, expanded paid sick leave requirements, new limits on employment contracts, and key legislative risks to watch.


Read the full article HERE


An external resource for VSHRM’s HR community.


VSHRM + SHRM Together

Our transition to the Dual Membership Release (DMR) with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) happened December 8, 2025!


We know this change may raise questions about how it affects you and your VSHRM membership—so we’ve launched a dedicated DMR page, on our website, to help answer any questions you may have.

We are in our membership renewal period currently! If you haven't renewed yet, you may be contacted by a member of our Board of Directors. If you have questions about your membership, or the renewal process, feel free to connect with Wendy Yelsik, Board President, or Robert Dotson, Membership Chair, for assistance.


Have a question? Scan the QR code to ask!


VSHRM + DMR FAQs

VSHRM FINANCIALS

Submitted by Patty Alfano, VSHRM Treasurer

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