Event Details

HRMA Dinner Meeting

 Racism, Civil Rights, Diversity & Inclusion: Jumping the Hurdles

Presented by Alma Scott-Buczak,

Diversity & Inclusion Director of GSC SHRM

 **This program is approved for 1 general credit by the HRCI and

for 1 professional development credit by SHRM**

For registration please go to http://hrma-nj.shrm.org/

Do we really know the differences between these concepts and where do we stand on addressing these issues?

Recent events have highlighted the varying perspectives on key issues based on the background of the individual. While these events have not directly entered most workplaces, they do give rise to basic questions about the true meaning and place for concepts including Civil Rights, Affirmative Action, Racism, Diversity and Inclusion in our workplaces.

During this interactive session we will explore the common misperceptions and true definitions of these concepts. We will collectively try to answer the question - In over 20 years of concentrated efforts have we made any progress?  Are we winning the race by jumping the hurdles or are we just tripping our way through the course to strategic effectiveness through Diversity and Inclusion? Is it time to just pack up our running shoes and go home?

Attendees will acquire a better understanding of the definitions of these concepts, as well as discuss the concept of overcoming hurdles as it applies to addressing diversity and inclusion issues. Furthermore, the participants will leave the session with action ideas for addressing a related issue they are currently facing in their organization.

Our speaker:

Alma Scott-Buczak is a Human Resources Executive with extensive Domestic and International experience in the conceptualization, design, development and implementation of creative Human Resources management programs. Her ability to use innovation, process design and problem solving to drive business solutions that meet strategic and practical challenges in both the private and public sectors has been a recognized asset throughout her career. She has provided state-of-the-art Human Resources support to a variety of functional areas in both individual contributor and team leader roles. She served as the Chief EEO/AA Officer for a Fortune 10 organization where she was instrumental in making Diversity part of the substance of how business was done. She was recently appointed Assistant Executive Director for Succession Planning and Workforce Development at New Jersey Transit. Previously she had served as their Chief Human Resources Officer for the past 12 years.  Before joining New Jersey Transit she has held significant human resources management positions with contract services, pharmaceutical and central banking organizations.

Alma has also held significant volunteer roles with the Garden State Council of SHRM at local and state-wide level including serving as the 2013 Conference Chair.  She is currently the Council’s Diversity and Inclusion Director. She has served on the board of the Council on Adoptable Children for over 15 years and is currently its President. Alma is the past Chair of the Teaneck and Vicinity Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. where she led the members through a modernization of their internal operations and community service initiatives.

For the past 7 years, Alma has also been a Trustee of Lafayette College. She has served as a Board representative on key sub committees, is a founding member of the college's Women’s Alumna Council and on the steering committee of their newly created African American Alumni group.

In both her professional and community service endeavors, Alma’ s has consistently demonstrated a keen intellect, sound judgment and an ability to support leadership’s goals/missions while retaining the trust of all employees/ volunteers through a highly developed HR expertise coupled with a high level of personal integrity.

Contact info:  ascott-buczak@njtransit.com

Non-Profit Presenter

While the unemployment rate in New Jersey is improving, more than 41% of the state’s job seekers — over 125,000 individuals — have been jobless for more than six months, giving New Jersey the second highest long-term unemployment rate in the nation. To help long-term unemployed New Jerseyans, particularly those age 45 and older, obtain jobs, the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University is launching the New Start Career Network (NSCN) in October 2015.  NSCN is a multi-year effort involving employers, nonprofit organizations, and Rutgers University to serve job seekers through web-based advising and information resources and personalized coaching.  For more information, click here.

Careers-In-Transition

Our revitalized Careers-In-Transition group, led by Terry Ebert of The Ayers Group, meets at the Hyatt at 4:30 PM.  If you are an HR professional in transition, please consider attending.  The group offers networking opportunities and a way to gain valuable insights and support that will help you in your job search.  There is no cost to attend the C-I-T group and no advance registration is required.