Message from the president.

I just wanted to share with you an evening of which all of us who have been involved with the Society can be proud.

The National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR) was established in 1992 to honor individuals of distinction in the field of HR, where, in an annual induction of Fellows, men and women are honored for their professional achievements. Past recipients include the Honorable William Brock, former Secretary of Labor, Dr. Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Professor, Harvard, as well as distinguished HRPS colleagues such as Dave Ulrich, Lee Dyer, Fred Foulkes, Ram Charan, and Ed Lawler.

Occasionally, the Academy also recognizes "Honored Organizations" and this year The Human Resource Planning Society was pleased to be a recipient of that award. Some of the letters of support from former Fellows included two to which I would like to refer... one from Cliff Ehrlich, former SVP of Marriott International, who wrote:

HRPS was a catalyst in this evolution (for HR to grow beyond its administrative origins) and boosted it by developing and emphasizing HR planning systems and techniques that are so common today we lose sight of the time when they did not exist. HRPS helped us see beyond the functional specialties of our profession to the wider world of HR management strategies and practices...it has elevated the contributions to our profession.

And Lee Dyer of Cornell writes:

The Society's outreach programs and Annual Meetings emphasized strategic issues long before many people in the field had even heard of HR strategy and, thus, did much to spread the word.

And finally I thought you would appreciate the specific wording that was presented with the Award describing the Society and its contributions:

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its founding the National Academy of Human Resources is pleased to recognize The Human Resource Planning Society as an "Honored Organization."

HRPS, through its global network of strategic human resource executives and leaders, is a preferred provider of leading-edge HR knowledge and best practices.

This international society for HR leaders from the world's leading companies provides a network to explore strategic issues of critical importance to their organizations. HRPS accomplishes its mission through conferences, educational programs, research, publications, certification, local and international affiliates and a web site that encourages and facilitates global electronic interaction among members.

Their publication, Human Resource Planning, is recognized throughout the profession for its relativity to what is actually going on in human resources management. The well-documented and clearly written articles covering a wide range of HR-related issues are must reading for HR professionals.

HRPS conferences, conducted throughout the year in major cities, focus on specific, timely topics where corporate case studies and best practices are showcased. Of particular interest to busy HR professionals is their series of executive teleconference briefings that cover trends and recent research topics. The presenters are well-known HR analysts and researchers.

The Fellows of the NAHR acknowledge the many contributions The Human Resource Planning Society has made to the field of strategic human resources. For twenty-five years HRPS has worked effectively to expand the scope of the profession by creating a global network of individuals committed to improving HR organizational performance through the application of strategic human resource management practices in the world's very best organizations.

Thanks to all of the volunteers and staff over the past 25 years who have made HRPS a special opportunity and experience for us all. And a special thanks to Jim Walker, our founder, who had the vision to see beyond the trees.

The Human Resource Planning Society