MEETING MINUTES – August 13th, 2003

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Association held on at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville.  Should you have any questions, comments or corrections, please contact Bridget Downey, PHR, our Chapter Secretary.

Chapter Business:
The meeting was opened by President Lorraine Poe, SPHR, who gave a special welcome to the members of the Western North Carolina Institute of Management Accountants.  Each year we work together to plan a joint meeting, which is not only enjoyable, but also a great learning experience.

Frank Pomeroy introduced Brian and Kelly Bowman of Asheville Jobs.com, our featured vendor for the month.  Their group hosts a site for local job searches, similar to what Monster.com does on a national scale.  Next month they open Greenville Jobs Today, and are hoping to begin similar services in Knoxville and Charlotte.  This is a cost-effective means of recruiting.  Listings begin at $60.00. 

¶As a special offer to WNC Human Resources Association members, new clients will receive a 50% discount.¶

Members attending today’s meeting were asked to participate in a survey on the top ten issues in HR. 

Bettina Hall introduced Ann Raven from the WNC Alzheimer’s Association.  She spoke briefly about the effects of Alzheimer’s on their caregivers – our employees, and distributed information on the increasing costs businesses incur as a result of Alzheimer’s.  Employers with employee caregivers can refer them to the local chapter for assistance.  They also provide programs for employees that explain Alzheimer’s and the ways the WNC Alzheimer’s Association can help.  For more information, call 828-254-7363.

Kay Cook of Beverly Healthcare announced a fundraiser to be held October 11, 2003 – the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk.  Last year this event raised over $120,000 to help those affected by Alzheimer’s.  For more information call 828-254-7363 or e-mail the Western Carolina Chapter at alzwnc@bellsouth.net.

Bettina Hall provided information on our Chapter’s Fall Workshop, to be held on October 7, 2003.  Today’s attendees received an advance copy of the workshop flyer.  This will be a concise 1-day learning experience, and will include Legal Updates, a panel discussion with some of Asheville’s Top Executives, a Vendor Fair, and much more.  The Fall Workshop has become a bigger event each year.  If participation continues to increase, we will be able to offer even more in coming years.  If this year’s program is well-attended, it will give us the opportunity to invite some of the more popular speakers from outside the area.

Frank Pomeroy noted that he has openings for vendors and sponsors for the Fall Workshop, but members need to act quickly as these are limited.

Donna Cator and Laura Russell announced that the School to Work page is up and running on our Chapter Web Site.  The programs featured on the site give employers the opportunity to grow their own employees.  Through the school system, interns can be assigned to your business at no cost to you.  The school system pays the insurance for these students, so any risks to the employer are minimized.  The School-to-Work page also has links to financial aid available to adults seeking to return to school.

Lisa Claxton and the Newsletter Committee have gathered information, and are putting together the next newsletter.  The newsletter will feature an article by Lisa on the Supreme Court’s latest rulings on diversity goals.  Lisa presented another legal update – this congress will address changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), but take no action on comp time for private employers.

The JobLink Career Center has moved to The Maple Building at the AB Tech Campus.  Call them at 828-250-4761 for additional information.

Program Highlights:
Jo Ann Kryse of Blue Ridge Metals and the Institute of Management Accountants introduced today’s Speakers.  Jim Bross is the Vice President and CFO for Rutherford Hospital, Inc. and is responsible for managed care operations, business office services, accounting and information systems.  His talk today focuses on employer and healthcare provider relationships; health plan contracting options; and health management initiatives based on employer-provider partnerships.  Mr. Bross was joined by Myrna Harvey, COO of Crescent PPO.

Mr. Bross spoke about the increasing financial pressures all Hospitals and Healthcare Providers are facing.  Rutherford Hospital is now down to a .6% operating margin.  In addition to pressures to improve services at reduced costs, the hospital also struggles with the same issues as other employers – affordably providing benefits for its own employees.  The approach Rutherford Hospital has used is to become part of the Rutherford Health Plan, an employer co-op.  This is a partnership of employers, physicians, and hospitals.  This organization is 100% employer-governed, but the physicians retain an active voice.

Mr. Bross gave three reasons for keeping healthcare decisions local:

            To Maintain the community’s economic viability,

            To Maintain a viable hospital and physicians

            To serve as a benefits provider for employers.

For more in-depth information, Mr. Bross would be happy to speak with any of our members.  He can be reached at JBross@rutherfordhosp.org.

Myrna Harvey of the Crescent PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) discussed how a PPO works.  They hope to be able to offer a small business product in the future.  Currently they are working on several Health Management initiatives.  They are looking at the link between obesity and cancer.  Ms. Harvey noted that 90,000 cancer deaths per year could have been prevented by maintaining a healthy weight.  Their Health Management initiatives include data analysis, education, and wellness/prevention programs.

Chapter Announcements:

The EEOC is hosting a workshop on October 30, 2003 at a cost of $295.

The SHRM State Conference will be held on September 22 & 23, 2003.  Please let Lorraine know if you plan to attend.

Erma Rhodes of Work First announced that The Harry W. Clark Memorial Scholarship Fund Annual Golf Tournament will be held at the Kenmure Country Club again this year.  Teams are $550, and volunteers are needed. 

Ryan Pickins of Mars Hill College is looking for companies to host interns.