MARCH 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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MEETING & REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Please register by Thursday, March 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

What We Don’t Always See

Leadership is rarely about what’s visible. It’s about perception — how we interpret, respond, and influence the conversations around us. That idea felt especially relevant watching Team USA bring home hockey gold at the Olympics. Performance at that level is shaped long before the spotlight — through preparation, awareness, discipline, and the trust built between teammates.

In many ways, HR works the same way. Culture is shaped in conversations. Trust is built in small moments. Outcomes are influenced by the lens through which we interpret what’s happening around us.

That’s why our March program hits at the heart of what we do. Ryan Page of Gallagher will present “The Invisible Filter: How Perception Drives Every Conversation.” Using the Fascinate System, Ryan will break down how our communication style shapes how others see us — and how understanding seven key archetypes can help us sharpen influence, strengthen empathy, and improve team dynamics. You’ll leave with practical tools you can immediately apply in your workplace. Thank you to Gallagher, our lunch sponsor, for supporting this session.

Please mark your calendar for our May Legal Seminar, consistently one of our most valuable programs of the year. We are also preparing for our Annual Silent Auction, benefiting the SHRM Foundation and local VSHRM scholarships. If you or your organization would like to donate an item or experience, your support directly invests in the future of our profession.

In April, we’ll be offering a special Guest Promotion — members may bring one non-member guest to our monthly meeting at no cost. It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce a fellow HR professional or people leader to our local HR community and the value of VSHRM.

Congratulations to SHRM Michigan, recognized by the SHRM Foundation as the top fundraising state. What an outstanding achievement — and a testament to the strength of our HR community.

Thank you to our dedicated Resource Partners for their continued partnership and support of VSHRM.

I look forward to seeing you in March.

Wendy Yelsik, PHR, SHRM-CP

Human Resources Director | Fabiano Brothers, Inc.

President, Valley SHRM

📱 (989) 621-4819

🔗 LinkedIn

VSHRM is proud to welcome Marsh McLennan Agency as a new Resource Partner, and we're excited to spotlight their commitment to supporting HR professionals across our region.

At Marsh McLennan Agency, organizations gain a trusted partner dedicated to strengthening the employee experience through comprehensive HR, benefits, and workforce solutions. With a long-standing legacy of helping clients navigate uncertainty, Marsh brings together deep expertise in human resources, risk management, and employee well‑being to support employers in building engaged, resilient teams. Their specialists provide everything from strategic HR consulting to data‑driven insights that help employers adapt confidently to evolving workplace demands.

Marsh’s HR and employee‑focused services are designed to meet organizations wherever they are—whether they need scalable HR support, compliance guidance, recruiting assistance, or programs to boost morale and productivity. Acting as an extension of internal HR teams, Marsh delivers proven best practices, modern HR technologies, and compliance expertise to help organizations streamline operations and reduce risk. This holistic approach ensures employers have the tools, resources, and expert guidance needed to support their people and create a healthier, more productive workplace.

Marsh McLennan Agency is a leading provider of employee health & benefits, business insurance, retirement & wealth, and private client insurance solutions across the US and Canada. Marsh is a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective.

For more information, or to connect with Marsh McLennan Agency, reach out to Danielle Leach, Vice President, Employee Health & Benefits, via email or phone at 248.633.7303.

VSHRM is proud to welcome American Society of Employers (ASE) as a Resource Partner, and we’re proud to highlight their dedication to empowering HR professionals throughout our region.

Human Resources leaders today are asked to do more with less margin for error. That’s where American Society of Employers (ASE) comes in. ASE is a trusted partner for Everything HR, built specifically to support employers who want to stay ahead of change, reduce risk, and strengthen their people practices. As a non-profit, membership-based organization, everything ASE does is driven by the real needs of its members with customized solutions for their members. ASE helps HR teams recruit, develop, and retain talent across the full employee lifecycle, while navigating compliance with confidence. From changing legislation to complex workplace issues, members rely on ASE for practical guidance, trusted insight, and timely support.

In 2024, the Employers Association of West Michigan (EA) merged into American Society of Employers (ASE) bringing together two organizations with more than 200 years of combined experience serving employers. Founded in 1902, ASE has long partnered with EA (founded in 1916), working side-by-side to help organizations meet everyday HR challenges. Today, ASE continues that legacy by delivering:

• Expert HR information and real-world guidance
• Training that keeps leaders current and confident
• Member benefits and discounted services that add real value
• Support that helps HR teams protect the business while supporting people

ASE serves organizations across 48 states and is an affiliate of the Employer Associations of America (EAA). When an organization joins ASE, the goal is simple: serve all employees by strengthening the HR function that supports them.

If you’re an HR professional looking for a trusted resource, a strong peer network, and practical solutions that work, ASE is worth knowing.

🎉 Join us in welcoming our newest VSHRM members! 🎉

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

• Alicia Shivers – Saginaw Valley State University
• Amy Ames – Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!

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 February Gift Card Drawing is…

(drum roll, please 🥁)

Gina Kellogg - from Jolt Credit Union

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.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency:

New Tax & Benefits System (MiUI)

As Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) moves closer to the launch of its modernized MiUI platform, employers and third‑party administrators are entering the final stretch of preparations. Tax functionality went live on Monday, February 23. Check out LEO's - MiUI Minute HERE!

Check out the latest Minutes—covering MiUI account initiation, registration steps, and the key details you’ll need to make the transition smooth and successful.

For more information, you can also view the LEO Michigan Employer Advisor resources. Or visit the MiUI University for more!

COLLEGE RELATION NEWS

📱 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:

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VSHRM FINANCIALS

Submitted by Patty Alfano, VSHRM Treasurer