The Texas Municipal Human Resources Association (TMHRA) is an affiliate of the
Texas Municipal League.
This conference, sponsored by TMHRA, will provide timely information to address the growing needs of human resources professionals, as well as any other professional charged with the task of providing guidance for a human resources department. As the need to optimize productivity while decreasing liability becomes more important, the types of information delivered through these seminars become increasingly more useful to those who are serious about maintaining effective organizations.
Who Should Attend?
city managers assistant city managers human resources directors human resource managers compensation managers benefits managers risk managers personnel professionals police chiefs attorneys city secretaries fire chiefs any person dealing with employee relations YOU!
Tentative Agenda
(Speakers and sessions are subject to change.)
8:00 — 8:30 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 — 8:45 a.m.
Welcome Colleagues
TMHRA President Tadd Phillips, Director of Human Resources, City of McKinney
8:45 — 10:15 a.m.
Opening Session
Getting Better All the Time (Handout)
Patrick Ibarra, Co-Founder and Partner, Mejorando Group, Glendale, Arizona
The future has arrived, and with it, an emerging and transformational role for local government, especially human resource professionals. Today, visionary leaders realize that playing it safe is no longer playing it smart. Increased scrutiny, expanding regulations, a shifting political landscape, and significant workforce challenges add up to a valuable opportunity for leaders to transition to a new way of doing the public’s business. This session will provide a powerful combination—a sound strategy, along with a series of integrated tactics designed to disrupt the status quo and optimize your capabilities in your role for the 21st century.
10:15 — 10:30 a.m.
Break
10:30 — 11:45 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Employment Law Track
The Impact of Social Media on Recruiting, Hiring, Disciplining, and Firing (Handout)
Sheila Gladstone, Principal, Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, PC, Austin
Sheila will offer a legal perspective on the current do’s and don’ts of using social media in employment processes and practices.
- Employee Benefits/Relations Track
Leadership Development: Building Self Awareness and Authenticity (Handout)
Susan Hampton, Hampton and Associates, Bedford
Susan will present an introduction to the attribute index tool and decision making action rules for leveraging natural talent to achieve peak performance.
- Human Resources Strategy and Best Practices Track (repeated at 2:30 p.m.)
How to Mitigate Risk Through Human Resources Best Practices (Handout)
Darrell Adkerson, Director-Shareholder, Adkerson, Hauder & Bezney, PC, Dallas
Darrell will share his thoughts on using human resources best practices as a tool for reducing risk exposure at your city.
11:45 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 — 2:15 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Employment Law Track
Volunteer, Contractor, or Employee? The FLSA vs. the IRS (Handout)
Lawrence Provins, Assistant City Attorney, City of Pearland
How do you distinguish between volunteers, contractors, and employees? Lawrence will provide guidance on applying FLSA and IRS regulations to determine the answer.
- Employee Benefits/Relations Track
How to Comply with the Affordable Care Act: Who Knows What that Means? (Handout)
Jared S. Pope, Attorney, IPS Advisors, Dallas
Jared will present an interpretation of the law as it relates to your city’s compliance with its implementation in 2014.
- Human Resources Strategy and Best Practices Track
The Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) IMAGE Certification Process (Handout)
Joseph Black, Special Agent, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Dallas
Learn from Joseph how to implement technology and become more efficient as you comply with I-9 certification.
2:15 — 2:30 p.m.
Break
2:30 — 3:45 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Employment Law Track
What’s the EEOC Up To? (Handout)
Julia Gannaway, Partner, Lynn Ross & Gannaway, LLC, Fort Worth
Julia will tell you what she thinks the EEOC is up to these days, as we hear they are ramping up…
- Employee Benefits/Relations Track
Employee Assistance Program: A Benefit Times Two (Handout)
Samuel Friedman, LPC, Account Manager, MHNet Behavioral Health, Plano
Sam will discuss the value to the employee AND the employer of having an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), as well as evolving EAP trends and uses.
- Human Resources Strategy and Best Practices Track (repeated from 10:30 a.m.)
How to Mitigate Risk Through Human Resources Best Practices (Handout)
Darrell Adkerson, Director-Shareholder, Adkerson, Hauder & Bezney, PC, Dallas
Darrell will share his thoughts on using human resources best practices as a tool for reducing risk exposure at your city.
3:45 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Employment Law Track
Accident Review Policies: Help or Hindrance? (Handout)
Darrel Noga, Partner, Fee Smith Sharp & Vitullo, LLP, Dallas
Do you have an accident review policy at your city? Darrel will provide insight on how this may help OR hurt!
- Employee Benefits/Relations Track
What’s in Your Toolkit? Consulting Tools for Human Resources Practitioners (Handout)
Susan Hampton, Hampton and Associates, Bedford
Susan will provide human resources tools for your hip pocket. She’ll focus on strategic development planning, post-event/project feedback, team building, and communication, plus a bonus tool for your kit.
- Human Resources Strategy and Best Practices Track
Developing World Class Leadership (Handout - 20mb)
Tom Hart, City Manager, City of Grand Prairie
Tom will share his perspective on leadership development and how it ensures a city’s success.
5:00 p.m.
Meet and Mingle Reception
Extra tickets may be purchased for guests who want to attend the receptions (see Registration Form).
8:00 — 8:30 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 — 10:00 a.m.
General Session
Going the Distance (Handout)
Julie Burch, JLH Presentations, Flower Mound
Because we constantly face challenges in our lives to be the best of the best, Julie will help us see how to achieve our highest goals. You will laugh, think, and be moved as Julie suggests that, in life, it’s not about winning or the losing, but it’s by going the distance that we achieve our dreams.
10:00 — 10:15 a.m.
Break
10:15 — 11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Employment Law Track (repeated at 2:15 p.m.)
The Guts and Glory of Managing FMLA, ADAAA, and Workers’ Compensation (Handout)
Julie Ross, Partner, Lynn Ross & Gannaway, LLC, Fort Worth
Julie will discuss the ins and outs of these three BIGGIES and how they work together, as well as bump against one another, in workplace application.
- Employee Benefits/Relations Track (repeated at 2:15 p.m.)
Realigning Compensation Plans After the Recession (Handout)
Debbie Owen, Technical Director, CPS Human Resource Services, Sacramento, California
Debbie will share her perspective and expertise on what needs to happen with compensation plans in our (hopefully) post-recession employment environment.
- Human Resources Strategy and Best Practices Track
Meet and Confer: Run and Hide, or Get Prepared? (Handout)
Elizabeth Provencio, Partner, Denton Navarro Rocha & Bernal, PC, San Antonio
Liz will give you helpful information and an insightful approach to prepare for meet and confer in your city’s civil service arena.
11:30 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.
Lunch and TMHRA Awards Ceremony
1:00 — 2:15 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Employment Law Track
Electronic Information, HIPAA, and the HITECH Act: You Can Fine My City, but Don’t Put Me in Jail! (Handout)
Melinda Galler, Director of Human Resources, City of Lewisville
Melinda will share her experience with implementing technology-related tools for electronic information management in the human resources environment.
- Employee Benefits/Relations Track
Best Practices in Wellness Programs: A Panel Discussion (Handout)
Jill McAdams, Human Resources Director, City of Bedford; Michelle Du, Wellness Coordinator, City of Austin and Robbie Neill, Director of Risk Management, City of Garland
Wellness programs aim to improve the health of your employees and their families while reducing your health-related costs as an employer. Low employee engagement is the biggest obstacle to behavior change, and unhealthy behaviors cost companies billions. Panel members will discuss programs and initiatives that that they have successfully implemented and that you may be able to use in your city to show your employees you value their health.
- Human Resources Strategy and Best Practices Track
Why Finance and Human Resources Need to Be Buddies!
Mindy Patterson, Director of Finance, City of Abilene
Mindy will offer her perspective on the value she derives from partnering with human resources in financial management strategies.
2:15 — 3:30 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Employment Law Track (repeated from 10:15 a.m.)
The Guts and Glory of Managing FMLA, ADAAA, and Workers’ Compensation
Julie Ross, Partner, Lynn Ross & Gannaway, LLC, Fort Worth
Julie will discuss the ins and outs of these three BIGGIES and how they work together, as well as bump against one another, in workplace application.
- Employee Benefits/Relations Track (repeated from 10:15 a.m.)
Realigning Compensation Plans After the Recession
Debbie Owen, Technical Director, CPS Human Resource Services, Sacramento, California
Debbie will share her perspective and expertise on what needs to happen with compensation plans in our (hopefully) post-recession employment environment.
- Human Resources Strategy and Best Practices Track
Legislative Update Roundtable
Julie O’Connell, Human Resources Director, City of New Braunfels; Kevin Russell, Human Resources Director, City of Georgetown; and Mark Washington, Human Resources Director, City of Austin
These TMHRA board members will provide insight and updates on the current state legislative session as it pertains to the human resources arena.
3:30 — 3:45 p.m.
Break
3:45 — 5:00 p.m.
General Session
Health Care Reform: What the Future Holds (Handout)
Den Bishop, President, Holmes Murphy
As the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act (PPACA) speeds toward its January 2014 full implementation, what does this mean for you, your employees, and your health care plans? This session will use what’s actually written in the law to forecast its impact in coming years.
6:30 — 10 p.m.
Join us for a NIGHT OF BOWLING & BILLIARDS at Main Event Entertainment in Frisco. Free shuttle service from hotel starts at 6:00 PM.
Dinner, drinks, bowling, billiards and laser tag. Join in the FUN!
Sponsored by: TMHRA, Holmes Murphy & Associates, CPS HR Consulting, TMLIEBP, The Standard, Lincoln Financial & Airrosti
8:00 — 8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:30 — 9:00 a.m.
TMHRA Business Meeting
9:00 — 10:00 a.m.
General Session
Anything and Everything Update – Part I (Handout)
Bettye Lynn, Partner, Lynn Ross & Gannaway, LLP
A terrific benefit of attending the TMHRA Annual Conference is the opportunity to sharpen your saw on employment law. This always popular session is presented by longtime TMHRA friend and colleague, Bettye Lynn. The session will cover court cases of note around the country that have either established case law or are worth watching to see their outcomes and impact on employment law and human resources best practices.
10:00 — 10:15 a.m.
Break
10:15 —11:00 a.m.
Anything and Everything Update – Part II (Handout)
Bettye Lynn, Partner, Lynn Ross & Gannaway, LLP
11:00 a.m. — Noon
Closing Session (Handout)
Patrick Ibarra, Co-Founder and Partner, Mejorando Group, Glendale, Arizona
As the annual conference draws to a close, and you've had the opportunity to network with colleagues, catch up with old friends, and get re-energized about applying the wonderful tools and techniques you learned at the conference in your workplace, you will face a challenge: on Monday, you return to work with the possibility of your energy fading. What do you do to remain vigilant in your role as a catalyst for change and help your organization’s workforce get better all the time? Patrick Ibarra will translate the TMHRA Annual Conference and provide a series of targeted actions you can immediately pursue to accelerate your personal speed limit and drive positive change back at work.
A Special Thank You to the Conference Program Committee!
Ronnie Kidd, Chair Kevin Russell, Co-Chair Jill McAdams Debbie Maynor Craig Barnes (Awards) Lisa Norris Cheree’ Bontrager Julie O’Connell Martha Butz Tadd Phillips Melinda Galler Mark Washington (Sponsors) Bonita Hall Lavern Gaines (TML)
General Information
REGISTRATION FEE
The fee includes all conference sessions; Wednesday continental breakfast, lunch, and evening reception; Thursday continental breakfast, lunch, and evening reception; Friday continental breakfast; and all scheduled refreshment breaks. A one-day registration fee for Wednesday or Thursday is also available. Please see the registration form for specific rates.
CANCELLATION AND SUBSTITUTION POLICY
If you are registered and cannot attend, we encourage you to send a substitute. If you cannot send a substitute, a $45 cancellation fee will be assessed if written cancellation is e-mailed to acct@tml.org by April 19. No refunds will be honored after April 19.
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS
The conference will be held at the Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel, Convention Center and Spa, located at 7600 John Q. Hammons Drive in Frisco. To make reservations, please call the hotel toll-free at 800-921-1443 or 972-963-9175 and ask for the TMHRA Annual Conference room block. A rate of $145 single/double per night is available until April 19 or until the room block is full.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT
Elected officials can earn credit hours toward a Texas Municipal League Institute certificate for participation in the TMHRA Annual Conference. CEU forms will be available on site.
SEMINAR MATERIALS
TMHRA does not provide handouts of speaker papers or printed materials of any kind at the seminar. Instead, TMHRA will put all speaker papers on the TMHRA Web site at www.tmhra.org (under "Seminar Materials") for attendees to download in advance, if they so desire.
CONFIRMATION/BADGE
Your confirmation and conference badge will be mailed to you in advance. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR CONFIRMATION AND BADGE TO THE CONFERENCE.
SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS:
On the registration form, let us know if you need special assistance of any kind. WE WANT TO HELP! Thank you.
DRESS CODE:
The conference dress code is CASUAL. Remember, the weather will be hot outside, so dress for comfort. Be sure to bring a sweater or jacket to the sessions, in the event the rooms are cool.
QUESTIONS?
You may contact the TML Affiliate Services Department in the following ways:
- Phone: 512-231-7400
- Fax: 512-231-7494
- E-mail: tmhra@tml.org
- Write to: 1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400, Austin, Texas 78754-5101
REGISTER NOW
