As the congressional recess began last week, Members of Congress made a mad dash out of DC. For members of the Congressional Black Caucus, their destination was Tunica, Mississippi. Every August, Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) hosts his Annual Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute’s (CBC Institute) Public Policy Conference in his home district.
The conference brings together stakeholders from local municipalities, state governments, the U.S. Congress and federal agencies to discuss current public policy challenges and potential solutions.
SHRM’s Senior Vice President Membership, Marketing & External Affairs, Bob Carr and Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC)
SHRM has been a proud supporter of this event for the past six years, which provides an opportunity for SHRM to engage with lawmakers (22 attended this year to be exact!), discuss pressing HR policy issues and position SHRM and our members as thought leaders on trending workplace policy issues.
Policy sessions were focused on issues important to the Caucus, which coincidentally are also the issues keeping HR professionals up at night. Topics included ACA implementation, retirement security, and skills shortages. SHRM’s Senior Vice President Membership, Marketing & External Affairs, Bob Carr, spoke to over 400 attendees during the conference highlighting the importance of HR and the complex workplace laws that HR navigates every day, and urged participants to “give your HR professional a hug next time you see them.”
Just as HR is dedicated to cultivating the best and brightest in their organizations, so too is the CBC Institute. The Institute hosts an annual Political Leadership Boot Camp which is designed to develop the next generation of policy leaders who will shape public and private-sector policies, political campaigns, and issue advocacy.
While getting to and from Tunica, MS is no easy feat (just ask @SHRMKellyH!), the trek is worth the relationships built and discussions had during this event. Whether it’s talking workplace issues with Rep. Ben Lujan (D-NM), explaining SHRM’s mission while grabbing coffee with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) or having lunch with Rep. Jim Clyburn, Tunica, MS always promises new friendships, great conversation and an opportunity to showcase the value and importance of human resource management.
Kathleen Coulombe is Senior Associate, Government Relations at SHRM. She is on Twitter at @KCnSHRMGA.
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