About NHRMA
The Northwest Human Resource Management Association (NHRMA) has a proud tradition and history of service to the human resource professionals in the Northwestern United States and British Columbia dating from its formation in October 1939. The organization is composed of 28 chapters in the states of Alaska, Oregon, and Washington.
NHRMA (known as PNPMA at the time) became affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (known as ASPA at the time) in January of 1972. All SHRM members in these locations are automatically members of NHRMA. There are no NHRMA membership dues for SHRM members in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington.
NHRMA History
NHRMA is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Washington on January 17, 1961, as the Pacific Northwest Personnel Management Association. Its purpose is to develop and maintain the professional competence of its members, raise standards of performance in all phases of human resource management, encourage adherence to SHRM�s Code of Ethical and Professional Standards in Human Resource Management and promote excellence in the field of human resource management.
NHRMA (previously PNPMA) - recognized officially as the "Association" and as "NHRMA-SHRM" because of its national affiliation with the Society for Human Resource Management - was initially formed by a group of personnel managers headed by J.W. Rupley and Claude Arnold, Spokane, Washington; Roderic Olzendam, Tacoma, Washington; General H.G. Winsor, Seattle, Washington and Laurin E. Hinman, Portland, Oregon, to conduct a conference to address personnel management issues.
The first PNPMA Conference was held in Spokane on October 12 and 13, 1939. Since that time, the conference site has been rotated annually among cities throughout Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and British Columbia.
The initial group of Personnel Clubs, as they were known, in Portland, Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma were joined by Personnel Clubs in Longview, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia, early in the formative years of the Association. PNPMA chapters were later formed in Salem, Upper Willamette Valley, Vancouver Island, Yakima Valley, Southern Oregon Coast, Central Vancouver Island, and Boise, Idaho, in the early to mid 1950�s. Blue Mountain and Eastern Idaho chapters joined the Association in 1960 and 1961. The Association also included in its membership personnel professionals from cities in western Montana.
The Vancouver Chapter left the Association in 1961 to form the Industrial Association of British Columbia - IRMA. From 1957 to 2002, international representation was maintained with the formation of the Victoria Chapter in 1957 from the Personnel Association of Vancouver Island which became a member of the Association in 1949.
The NHRMA-SHRM organization as we know it today consists of 27 chapters in the states of Alaska, Oregon, and Washington.
Membership has grown from fewer than fifty in 1939 to more than 7,900 members today.
The first PNPMA student chapter was formed at Oregon State University in 1956. There are currently 15 student chapters in the states of Alaska, Oregon, and Washington.
PNPMA became affiliated with the American Society for Personnel Administration (ASPA) in January 1972. ASPA (now SHRM) was organized in 1949 and grew nationally in responsibility and influence over the years. The 1972 affiliation agreement between PNPMA and ASPA provided that PNPMA would maintain its regional autonomy and jurisdiction. There is no similarly constituted organizational arrangement among chapters in any other region of SHRM. NHRMA-SHRM is the only 100 percent membership region in the nation. All members are SHRM national members and vice-versa.
The PNPMA-ASPA affiliation agreement was revised in January 1982 and an ASPA area office was established. Today this is known as the SHRM Area V Office and is run by the Area V Manager. Previously services had been provided through the office of the PNPMA-ASPA Executive Director. The NHRMA-SHRM affiliation relationship has been a professionally meaningful and rewarding arrangement for both parties over the years.
The affairs of the Association are managed by a Board of Directors. The NHRMA Board normally meets twice a year with one meeting held in conjunction with the annual NHRMA Conference and Exposition.
By vote of the membership of PNPMA in June, 1992, the name of Pacific Northwest Personnel Management Association was changed to the Northwest Human Resource Management Association.
SHRM/NHRMA Relationship
Northwest Human Resource Management Association is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management, the leading voice of the human resource profession, representing the interests of more than 185,000 professional and student members from around the world.
Northwest Human Resource Management Association (previously PNPMA) is a unique, regional organization. In 1972, the Association affiliated with SHRM (previously ASPA) per an agreement that provided that NHRMA would maintain its regional autonomy and identity. There is no similarly constituted organizational arrangement among any other SHRM regions or chapters.
The affairs of NHRMA are managed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership. NHRMA works closely with SHRM and focuses its efforts on providing services to its members that compliment the extensive benefits and services provided to our members associated with their SHRM membership.
Geographically, SHRM is divided into five regions. NHRMA is a part of what is known as the Pacific West Region. The Pacific West Region consists of the states of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Each region has a regional council which is composed of their respective state council directors. The regional councils provide a structure for the sharing of best practices, channels of communication on human resource managament issues and to promote the purposes of and membership in the Society. Each regional council has an elected representative that who represents them on the Membership Advisory Council. The Membership Advisory Council serves as an interfiace between the Society�s volunteers leaders and the Board of Directors. It provides strategic input from the membership to the SHRM Board of Directors and feedback from the SHRM Board of Directors to the memership.
There is a state council located in each sate that provides a forum for chapters to discuss common issues, problems, concerns and to share ideas and successes. They facilitate information from local chapters and the state council to and from the regional councils.
NHRMA Membership
Who should join NHRMA?
* All SHRM members in Alaska, Oregon and Washington are automatically members of NHRMA
* There are no NHRMA membership dues
* Members have option of affiliating with 28 chapters located in the region
Why do businesses support NHRMA involvement?
* Professional growth and networking
* Local, regional and national training opportunities
* Understanding of current and potential HR legislation and trends
* Unified voice to contact state legislatures and Congress regarding HR legislation
* Community recognition
What are the benefits of NHRMA membership?
* 28 affiliated local chapters
* HRM Job Seminar
* Annual regional conference and exposition
* Networking opportunities
* Quarterly Association Newsletter
* NHRMA Website (www.nhrma.org)
* Leadership training for volunteer leaders
* Leadership development opportunities
* Regional awards for chapters and individuals: Distinguished Member Award, Randy Lundberg Northern Lights Award and the Robert Denomy Award for Student Leadership in HR Management
NHRMA Bylaws