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Dear ASHHRA Members,

I am thrilled with our progress as we approach the end of the first quarter of 2011. We had a great face-to-face board meeting in Washington, D.C. and I am happy to report that we are working hard on the goals for this year, and in line with our three-year strategic plan. Early indications of attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors for our annual conference are way above the norm. ASHHRA was presented an award by the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense David L. McGinnis for our organization's commitment to the support of the National Guard and Reserves. (There is more to come on this honor in a later report.) In all, we are off to a great start for 2011.

We, as your ASHHRA Board members, felt that one of the things we needed to communicate this month, in light of the heavy emphasis on ethics and sound business practice, is our current ASHHRA board practice.

Please note that ASHHRA Board member participation is entirely voluntary, without any form of compensation from ASHHRA, AHA, vendors or any other source. Board members complete a comprehensive conflict of interest statement annually, which is reviewed and approved by AHA. As has always been the case, service generously rendered by ASHHRA Board members has been and will remain voluntary by colleagues who have been willing to "give back" to the profession. We remain appreciative of that generosity, and the same generosity demonstrated throughout ASHHRA, as regional and chapter leaders serve in the same voluntary way.

ASHHRA Board member travel is done in a fiscally responsible manner by utilizing AHA travel services, coach airfare, and by limiting the amount of travel annually by frequently utilizing conference calls for Board meetings.

The ASHHRA Board fully embraces the principles of stewardship and accountability to our membership and remains willing to openly engage in dialogue with you to ensure that professionalism and ethics are safeguarded within our association. We appreciate and safeguard the trust that you have placed in us.

Please know that in the wake of the economic crisis, as a board, we evaluated and made adjustments to ensure the financial viability of the organization. We have cut back to two face-to-face board meetings this year, instead of the usual three, as an example of our awareness to the economic uncertainty.

Thanks for your continued support, and I will report on progress toward our goals next month.

Robert Walters, SPHR
Corporate Director, HR Operations
Health First, Inc.
3550 North Harbor City Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32932-0069
(321) 434-1957
bob.walters@health-first.org