From:        Mary Eckenrod, HRPS Board Chair and Walt Cleaver, HRPS President & CEO

Subject:     Exciting changes ahead for HRPS

We are pleased to announce to our Human Resource Planning Society (HRPS) colleagues some exciting news that will assuredly take our Society to the next level. Approximately one year ago, the Executive Committee and the Board, along with Walt Cleaver (HRPS President & CEO), agreed to explore ways in which HRPS could leverage our key strengths, enhance our capabilities and resources in a number of areas (such as technology, public relations, marketing and publishing), and best position us for continued success. After a careful review of our existing operations, the HRPS Executive Committee – along with our President & CEO – determined that our current capabilities were not in line with our strategic goals.

After a considerable amount of research and careful consideration of a variety of alternatives, we are pleased to announce that we have selected SmithBucklin Corporation, an association management firm, to manage our organization and to build upon our firm foundation. SmithBucklin Corporation is the world’s largest association management and professional services company, providing flexible, tailored full-service management and project-based services to more than 225 professional societies, associations, technology user groups and government institutes/agencies. SmithBucklin also provides global reach and services through an international partnership. 

Partnering with an association management company is attractive to HRPS for a number of reasons. Most important, there are new capabilities that will allow us to enhance value for all members – including our affiliate colleagues – through increased resources, networking opportunities and a more robust knowledge repository. In addition, we will have cost-effective access to many other resources on an as-needed basis, including the latest technology solutions.

Walt Cleaver will continue to serve HRPS as President & CEO, reporting directly to the Board. HRPS will remain an independent legal entity and retain its own identity and current policies regarding the activities of the Board and our members.

We anticipate that the transition to our new headquarters office will take place by July 1, 2008. Please continue to contact the HRPS staff at the current office in New York City until further notice. We will send you updated contact information for our Chicago office as soon as possible.

Moving forward, we are confident that the partnership with SmithBucklin, their unparalleled expertise and their breadth of resources will help us expand our reach and allow us to provide best-in-class programs and services to our members and the HR profession.

We will continue to keep you up-to-date on our progress. In the meantime, please click here for more details on this upcoming change. Should you have additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to either of us.

Best regards,

Mary Eckenrod, HRPS Board Chair and

Walt Cleaver, HRPS President & CEO