Community Affairs 

Welcome to our Community Affairs web page of the Southern Connecticut Chapter of SHRM. In this section, we intend to keep you informed of our involvement in our local community. We will cover our efforts regarding our support of INROADS, scholarships, internships, volunteer projects and mentoring.

Our Community Affairs Chairperson is Marlene Battista, 203.984.6221, Marbattista@optonline.net. Please contact Marlene if you are interested in volunteering, have an idea for a community affairs project or if you just want to get involved.

MISSION: 

• To share our expertise in the area of workforce readiness with members of the community who are lacking the career knowledge and job search skills needed to find fulfilling employment.
• To increase awareness of our chapter in the community by participating in charitable events.

ACTIVITIES --2009

SOCT SHRM and INROADS Celebrate Intern Achievements

The Southern Connecticut Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SOCT SHRM) and the Stamford office of INROADs recently joined forces to recognize the achievements of local, minority youths who are employed as interns in local corporations. SOCT SHRM annually awards $1,750 in college scholarship money to INROADS participants. Candidates must submit a detailed application which is evaluated and judged by members of SOCT SHRM’s board of directors. The recipients of the 2009 scholarship awards are Crystal Davis of Shelton, Jasmine Grant of Riverdale, NY, and Matt Pacheco of Hamden.

Pictured left to right: Margaret Judge, President, SOCT SHRM; Award recipients Matt Pacheco, Jasmine Grant and Crystal Davis; Dr. Nara Venditti, Diversity Committee Chairperson and SOCT SHRM Board Member.

Click HERE for Press Release

ACTIVITIES--0ur Achievements

Community Affairs has had a fantastic year!  Many members of SOCT SHRM have volunteered their time and shared workforce readiness with members of our community who are  lacking the career knowledge and job search skills needed to find fulfilling employment.  We have partnered with The Norwalk School to Career programs and provided dynamic and interactive Career Identification, Job Search, and Interview skills workshops.  For the 2008-2009 school years, we have been asked back, and are looking for volunteers.  If you are interested, please contact Marlene Battista at 203.984.6221, or Marbattista@optonline.net 

We were thrilled to donate $1,600 by sponsoring a silent action to benefit the George Washington Carver House a Community Action Agency that services our local area. 

During our Holiday event, we held a toy and baby supplies drive to support Malta House.  Malta house is a residence that serves homeless women and their children and offers women the opportunity to strengthen their talents to serve their children.  Malta house empowers women through educational programs and challenges them to succeed through overcoming life’s obstacles, good decision making, creating a life plan and developing leadership skills for the future.

We would like to thank our members and colleagues for their support as we would not have had such a successful year without your participation and support.  If you would like to volunteer on our committee and serve in our workforce readiness and community outreach programs, please contact Marlene at the number listed above.

Resume Writing and Interview Skills Workshop

Last year, we began an exciting partnership with Norwalk School to Career, which is part of the Guidance Dept. at Norwalk High Schools, to provide workforce readiness assistance to high school students.

With the help of a dedicated committee of volunteers, we developed and delivered resume writing and interview skills workshops to over 40 non-college-bound students at Brian McMahon and Norwalk High Schools, The students appreciated the real-world perspectives they gained, as well as the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns.  The workshops were a great success and we are looking forward to expanding our offerings at both high schools throughout the current school year.  

We need volunteers who are interested in helping to develop or deliver career-related upcoming workshops.  If you are interested, please contact Marlene Battista. 203.984.6221, Marbattista@optonline.net 

RAFFLE FUNDS

Money collected as the result of SOCT SHRM raffles goes to support the Chapter’s scholarship funds as well as administrative costs. Donations may also be used for new member orientation forums, Special Interest Group breakfast expenses in addition to decorations for some of our functions.