1. The Award of Excellence recognizes exemplary HR professionals who demonstrate leadership in the HR profession and their organization through strong HR practices and innovative programs leading to the achievement of business results.
2. The Rising Star Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated early leadership qualities in human resources through personal performance and commitment to professional, volunteer and educational opportunities. Rising stars are the future of the profession. 
3. The HR Team of the Year Award recognizes an HR Team that played a key role in driving the performance and reputation of an organization, are catalysts for organization-wide change and serve as trusted advisors on organizational strategy.
4. The Honorary Membership Award may be conferred on a person who has made outstanding contributions to the field of human resources or to the Association. Honorary Membership Nominations require the approval of the Board of Directors. One award may be presented each year.

The deadline for submission is 12:00 noon on Friday, May 6, 2022 – Nominate today!

We are accepting Expressions of Interest for the 2020/21 term for the Board of Directors. 

Details on the positions up for nomination, time commitment, and the Expression of Interest Form are available in the Members Only Section of this website under the Reports & Messages menu option.  Once on the Reports & Messages page, the link to the nominations information is near the top of the content.

Express interest, using the Expression of Interest Form, by October 9, 2020.  

A reminder that opportunities to serve on the Board are mandated by the Association's bylaws as outlined on the nominations page.

Click here to find out more.

This is the first time ever these global HR leaders have met online to discuss how HR professionals will play key roles in the recovery from this pandemic both at the corporate and social levels.

Two main areas that were addressed:

1. What is needed to ensure workplaces recover from the pandemic and set the course for healthy, thriving workforce?
2. How as a profession can we ensure all organizations are in the best situation to start up again?

Click here to listen, learn, and share the conversation with your co-workers, peers, and members.

Click here to read the summary report of the live stream.

Moving forward, it is HR’s responsibility to focus on communication, empathy, resilience, agility, and leadership.

We had another great year at CPHR Nova Scotia! In 2019, we saw the creation of a new strategic plan:

1. Growing and Retaining Membership

In 2019, CPHR Nova Scotia continued to target business leaders and potential CPHRs. Our strategic partnerships and sponsorships gave us a platform to showcase the value of HR. This level of outreach helped us elevate our brand awareness and helped to increase demand for CPHRs in the workplace.

We have also been connecting with students across Nova Scotia – educating them about the HR industry, the CPHR designation and becoming a member of CPHR Nova Scotia. This year, we attended numerous information sessions to spread the word. We also added a new additional accredited post-secondary program:

- (NEW!) Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University: Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Human Resources and Industrial Relations

- (pre-existing) Nova Scotia Community College: Advanced Diploma in Human Resources

We launched several new pathways to the designation but in particular we saw early success from our new Senior Designation Pathway and we’re thrilled to have had three influential HR Leaders successfully acquire the designation through this pathway. Congratulations to Jennifer Swinemar-Murray, CPHR, Craig Sampson, CPHR and Doug Stephens, CPHR.

Our membership grew by over 50 new members within the first two months of the fiscal year and with the addition of the Sobey School of Business HR Major acquiring accreditation, we expect a big spike over the first few months as it rolls out.

2. Enhancing Our Value Proposition:

Our branding platform for CPHR Nova Scotia and the CPHR designation continues to grow and be recognized by our stakeholders. We marketed the designation nationally with preflight videos on all West Jet flights this fall and winter (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUU4lRRqvtt_Rl87AM049BA?view_as=subscriber). Strategic sponsorship with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, the Cape Breton Chamber of Commerce and Cape Breton Partnership has put the profession in front of our community and business leaders.

Through the Nick’s Listening Tour it was quickly realized that members wanted our Dinners to be relaunched. We have done so under the branding of PDND (Professional Development Network Dinners). Join us at our first one on March 31, 2020. (https://cphrns.ca/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1297981&group=)

A brand new punchier and more frequent Mentoring program was launched. Early feedback so far has been favourable.

In the New Year, we will be launching a completely overhauled eNewsletter which will be sent out every two weeks beginning January 8, 2020. It will result in improved communications, more regular communications and a non-dues revenue stream with subtle industry specific ads.

3. Strengthening Our Collective Brand:

Our Communications strategy is thriving with the addition of Social Media. Our social reach is now over 14,000.

1. https://twitter.com/CPHRNS
2. https://www.instagram.com/cphrns/
3. https://www.linkedin.com/company/cphr-nova-scotia
4. https://www.facebook.com/cphrns
5. https://g.page/CPHRNS?share

Increased our rapport with many provincial leaders and organizations through strategic partnerships including: Teamworks, all levels of government, IFEBP, GPTW, Virgin Pulse, Pathways, Halifax and Cape Breton Chamber of Commerce, Cape Breton Partnership, IRCC, NS Immigration, many law firms, HRW (informal HRM HR group), and HRC (informal HR Hospitality Group).

CTV Live at Five included an interview with us on our position with an international HR News story.

CPHR Nova Scotia participated in our third annual “Day on the Hill” (Parliament Hill) to reinforce that CPHR Canada is the national voice for HR and advocate for employers and government alike to recognize and hire designated HR professionals. We had the unique opportunity to increase our political clout in a productive meeting with the Speaker of the House, Honourable Geoff Regan.

• Looking forward to 2020:

As we continue to move forward with our goals and our mission in 2020, we look to you, our members, to be ambassadors of our Association. CPHR Nova Scotia’s presence and impact in the HR industry is supported by you – help us share our message, extend our brand and carry on the important conversation around the value of the profession and designation by supporting your peers and educating your colleagues.

Thank you to our board, staff, committees, strategic and education partners, suppliers, sponsors and members – our past successes, ongoing achievements and driving force in the HR industry couldn’t be possible without your dedication and support!

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and look forward to welcoming 2020 together.

Sincerely,

Nick Beynon.

“You may think your job as an HR professional is less important because of this technology, but, if anything, it’s doubly critical.”

Alex Benay discussed his opinions, predictions and suggestions on the impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace. His webinar was held on December 11, with host Richard Cloutier, senior reporter for Global News Winnipeg and the co-host of 680 CJOB.

“Odds are that 50 years from now, AI will have replaced a lot of jobs,” Benay said. “The problem is also the opportunity.”

Benay is no stranger to the world of AI, being Canada’s former chief information officer and now a partner at KPMG Canada. He works with the public sector to implement technology solutions like AI, data security and digital integrity.

When it comes to implementing AI into business, Benay says it all falls back on values. We have to understand our organization’s values and ethics before we dive into AI. Your data is only as good as your organization and these kinds of tools can bring out the flaws.

Benay also notes that managers should consider the ethical side of things before implementing AI. Are you taking decisions out of the hands of humans and, if so, should you be? Openness and transparency have to be part of the AI conversation.

With the speed that the technological world is accelerating at, Benay says it’s crucial that HR professionals understand how AI affects their profession. It’s upon us to make sure that we at least try to know what’s going on in the world of AI.

“You have to accept that you are an expert at nothing in this day and age. The second you do that, it opens up the collaboration space even more.”

Don’t miss your chance to view the Alex Benay webinar on: Artificial Intelligence at Work.

We are accepting Expressions of Interest for the 2019/20 term for the Board of Directors. 

Details on the positions up for nomination, time commitment, and the Expression of Interest Form are available in the Members Only Section of this website under the Reports & Messages menu option.  Once on the Reports & Messages page, the link to the nominations information is near the top of the content.

Express interest, using the Expression of Interest Form, by October 4, 2019.  

A reminder that opportunities to serve on the Board are mandated by the Association's bylaws as outlined on the nominations page.

Click here to find out more.

Do you have an upcoming meeting, training session or celebration? Consider renting our bright and open Training Room for your next event.

These spaces are available during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm).

Training Room

• Mobile tabling allowing for a variety of layouts with up to 25 people
• Audio visual system
• Laptop hook up
• Teleconferencing
• Welcoming main lobby and washroom facilities
• Free WiFi
• Free Parking
• On-site administrative staff
• Free coffee, tea and water service
• Fully equipped wet bar – food and other refreshments not supplied
• Easy access to and from downtown

Full Day (8 hours): $200 Members / $400 Non-Members

Half Day (4 hours): $100 Members / $300 Non-Members

Office Space

• Two Desks with seating for up to four people
  
• Teleconferencing
• Welcoming main lobby and washroom facilities
• Free WiFi
• Free Parking
  
• Free coffee, tea and water service
• Fully equipped wet bar – food and other refreshments not supplied
• Easy access to and from downtown

Full Day (8 hours): $50 Members / $200 Non-Members

Half Day (4 hours): $25 Members / $100 Non-Members

To book your rental or for information on availability, please call (902) 446-3660 or email.

Visit the calendar of events for more information for each session.  Events will be posted to the calendar of events as they are confirmed.

Sept 12 - Managing the Difficult Employee (registration is open)

Sept 18 - Hot Topics in HR Roundtable - Members only (registration is open)

Sept 25 - Attendance Management (registration will open soon)

Oct 11 - Performance Management & Progressive Discipline (registration is open)

Oct 18 - Social Media and the Workplace (registration is open)

If members are interested in a particular HR topic for PD, see the June 6 eNews for information on how to let us know (in your inbox or in this news feed when logged in as a member).

As part of our Member Benefits Program, members have the opportunity to access hundreds of offers through our discount partner Perkopolis!

Once logged in to our website, members should visit the Benefits and Affinity page in the member only section for more information on how to register for this member benefit. 

Conference Was A Success!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 17th conference last week.

Overall participant satisfaction was 89%!

A special thank you to our Gold Sponsor Saint Mary's University Sobey School of Business,

our Silver Sponsors CareerBeacon and Perkopolis,

our Bronze Sponsors Ultimate Software and The Personal,

our Recognition Luncheon Sponsor Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia,

and our other program sponsors.

What some delegates said about the Conference!

'....great topics related to today's workplace.'

'Fantastic keynote speakers, relevant topics, and learning opportunities.'

'Well organized, well thought.  Thank you.  Will recommend to other co-workers.'

'Relevant topics, impressive speakers.'

'The speakers and topics were very good.  Lots of take-aways.'

'Keynote speakers were all engaging, inspiring, and thought provoking.'

'Another great conference.  Well done!'

'Wonderful job - loved the variety of topics.'

'A lot of great speakers and topics.'

'Some fascinating speakers...'

'Really great keynotes....great topics.'

'...a fabulous conference.'

HRANS and other members of CPHR Canada nationally launched a designation name change to Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) in October 2016. This new designation has been positively received across Canada in all jurisdictions where it is now being used.

To coincide with this new designation name and rebrand, we will operate under a new business name, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Nova Scotia (CPHR Nova Scotia) to support it with increased brand awareness. The Board of Directors resolved that it would be in the best interest of the Association to operate under the new name to bolster the new brand and its awareness in the communities we work. A number of other member associations have aligned their names to the CPHR brand as well.

Keynotes

The Purpose Effect with Dan Pontefract

Purpose ought to be thought of as a three-way relationship between an individual's personal sense of purpose in life, the organization's purpose, and a person's purpose in their role at work.  When all are well aligned, everyone benefits.  Dan is the best selling author of Flat Army and The Purpose Effect. Previously, as Head of Learning & Collaboration with TELUS, he was responsible for the overarching learning, collaboration, and leadership development strategy.  

Building a Breakthrough Mindset with Warren Macdonald

If we can't see where it is we need to go, what are the chances of getting there?  If your team can't see where you are going, what are the chances that they will come onboard?  In navigating change, we address the foundation and root cause of why we often get stuck or become disengaged.  Warren Macdonald's Life's boundaries were redefined when he became trapped beneath a one-ton boulder in a freak rock fall during a climbing expedition.

Workplace Safety Leadership with Stuart MacLean

Stuart MacLean is the CEO for WCB Nova Scotia.  Throughout his career, Stuart has come to know first-hand the impact of workplace injuries and fatalities on workers and their families. He is a true safety champion with an unwavering passion for preventing workplace injury.  Under his leadership, time-loss injury has reached an all-time low in Nova Scotia. 

The full line-up of concurrent educational sessions has also been announced.  Visit the event listing to learn more.