Central NM SHRM Newsletter: October 2025 
President's Report
October with Central New Mexico SHRM – Up, Up, and Away!
There’s something magical about October in New Mexico. We are blessed with crisp mornings, vibrant colors, and of course, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta painting our skies! What a view!
Join Us at the Hike to End Hunger
Saturday, October 18th from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
We’re proud to support this year’s Hike to End Hunger event at Pat Hurley Park. Join us for a dog-friendly, heart-heathy walk lined with food trucks, lawn games, face painting. What an amazing community event that helps raise awareness and fight food insecurity in our area. We’ll have board members helping with everything from registration and greeter stations to games and event support. Come hike, volunteer, or cheer. Every step helps!
Upcoming Luncheons & Events
We have a fantastic lineup of programs to round out the year filled with relevant insights and inspiring discussions. Registration is already open for all events!
- October 21: Maintaining Balance Over Burnout – HR’s Role in Building Resilient, Happy Employees. Explore strategies to create a culture of well-being and support for your teams.
- November 18: Navigating Compensation Challenges - Building a Sustainable, Market-Based Pay System. Learn how to balance fairness, competitiveness, and long-term strategy in compensation planning.
- December 16: Connecting the Workplace Through Laughter. Featuring Greg Schwem, a nationally recognized workplace humor speaker who shows how laughter can strengthen teams, reduce stress, and improve communication.
Fall is in the Air
The change of seasons brings new opportunities to collaborate, share ideas, and make a positive impact in our workplaces and communities. Whether you’re wrapping up annual goals or planning ahead for the new year, Central NM SHRM is here to support you with valuable learning experiences and connections that last all year long. And as we “fall back” on Sunday, November 2nd, don’t forget to enjoy that extra hour of morning sunshine — and maybe an extra cup of coffee to go with it!
We can’t wait to connect with you soon. Until then, enjoy the season, stay inspired, and keep doing great work!
Welcome New & Renewing Members
You are connected with a vast network of HR professionals, exclusive events, and resources to help you advance your career by combining Central NM SHRM and SHRM national membership.
Monthly Luncheon
Maintaining Balance Over Burnout
HR’s Role in Building Resilient, Happy Employees
Burnout is more than exhaustion; it’s a signal that something deeper in workplace culture needs care. This engaging session dives into how HR professionals can recognize early signs of burnout, understand its organizational impact, and champion resilience from the inside out.
Led by Joy E. Davis, LCSW, and Kellie Tinnin, two dynamic leaders in workplace well-being and co-hosts of The Resilient Workplace Podcast, the presentation explores practical, evidence-based strategies to transform how organizations support their people.
Attendees will walk away with actionable tools to:
- Identify and address burnout before it escalates
- Build supportive environments that empower employees to thrive
- Integrate well-being and resilience into the core of company culture
Join us for a session that goes beyond buzzwords—one that helps HR lead the charge in creating workplaces where people are not just productive, but truly well.
Mark Your Calendars!
Upcoming Events:
October 21, 2025
Maintaining Balance Over Burnout:
HR’s Role in Building Resilient, Happy Employees
November 18, 2025
Navigating Compensation Challenges:
Building a Sustainable, Market-Based Pay System
December 18, 2025
Greg Schwem – Corporate Comedian & Motivational Humorist
Connecting the Workplace Through Laughter
Legal Updates
Federal Shutdown Ripples into NM Workplaces
With the federal government now in full shutdown mode, New Mexico employers with federal contractors, grantees, or employees face tangible legal and operational consequences. More than 20,000 federal civilian employees in New Mexico could be furloughed or required to work without pay. Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, federal workers are entitled to retroactive pay once funding is restored, but that law offers no relief for contractors or subcontractors. Meanwhile, state unemployment offices will begin accepting claims from furloughed federal workers under “Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE).” For private employers with contracts tied to federal funding, delays or suspensions of federal agency operations may lead to payment disruptions, project delays, or even contract terminations.
Key Legal and HR Pitfalls to Monitor
Practical Steps for HR Teams
- Audit your Exposure - Identify which parts of your workforce or procurement chain depend on federal funding (directly or indirectly). For those roles, reexamine contract terms, notice obligations, and fallback payment provisions.
If you have any questions about the impact of the federal shutdown on your business or workforce, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at (505) 797-4889 or [email protected]. Also, please feel free to email me questions for future newsletter articles.
Let me know if there is anything else that I can provide.
Board of Directors: Call for Interest
Central NM SHRM Board of Directors 2026–2027
We are excited to begin planning for the 2026–2027 Central New Mexico SHRM Board of Directors and invite you to consider applying for a leadership role within our chapter! Serving on the board is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the HR community, expand your professional network, and help shape the future of our organization.
If you are passionate about advancing the HR profession and want to help drive the strategic goals of Central NM SHRM, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply:
Please email [email protected] by October 13th and include:
- Full Name
- Preferred Email Address
- Phone Number
- Board position(s) you are interested in
- A brief statement about why you’re a good fit for the role
Board members are expected to attend monthly meetings and events, collaborate on chapter initiatives, and maintain dual membership with SHRM National and Central NM SHRM.
We welcome new voices, perspectives, and ideas—join us in leading our chapter into the future!
Call for Speakers!
Call for Presentations – 2026 SHRM New Mexico State Conference
Theme: Navigating HR in New Mexico: People • Policy • Progress
Dates: April 20–21, 2026
Location: Isleta Resort & Casino, Albuquerque, NM
The 2026 SHRM New Mexico State Conference invites passionate HR professionals, thought leaders, and innovators to share their expertise with over 500 HR attendees from across the state. This statewide collaboration brings together SHRM New Mexico, regional HR associations, and leading voices shaping the future of work.
What They’re Looking For
Presentations that are practical, engaging, and relevant to today’s HR challenges. Sessions should provide tools and insights participants can immediately apply in their workplaces. Topics that align with SHRM/HRCI competencies and the conference theme are especially encouraged.
Preferred Topics
- Wellbeing, Inclusion & Belonging
- HR Tech & Innovation (AI)
- Leadership & Professional Development
- Employee Experience & Engagement
- Tribal, Government, and Municipal HR
- Legal, Compliance, and Ethical Decision-Making
Speaker Benefits
- Build visibility and credibility as an HR thought leader
- Amplify your influence through SHRM’s network and media exposure
- Receive complimentary conference attendance
Proposal Details
Deadline: November 25, 2025
Submit to: [email protected]
Attach:
- Completed Call for Proposal Form
- Presenter Bio + High-Quality Photo
- References/Video Sample
- Optional: Slide Deck
Final selections will be announced by December 20, 2025.
We're Excited To Share!
Join Central New Mexico SHRM and get National SHRM at 50% Off and your first Chapter Luncheon Free – Limited-Time Chapter Exclusive! (close to $200 savings!)
Through December 31, 2025, you can become a National SHRM member at 50% off and your first Chapter Luncheon Free – exclusively through Central NM SHRM! That’s right, half the cost for full access to the nation’s leading HR network, resources, and support. This exclusive offer is available to those who have never been members and to former members who have not been a member for at least 12 months.
Why This Is a Game-Changer:
50% Off Membership – Invest in your future for less Support Your Local Chapter – Every new member earns $30 for the Central NM SHRM chapter Boost Chapter Programs – Your membership powers local initiatives Win Big Together – Top chapters earn $1,000 awards for outstanding recruitment!
How to Join:
- Click on this link to https://www.shrm.org/
community/chapters/dmr-program - Enter promo code: New-MembersOnly
- Select Central NM SHRM as your chapter
- Then Check out!
Whether you're looking to level up your HR career, expand your network, or make a difference locally, this is your moment. Let’s grow together, celebrate together, and make this membership drive unforgettable!
Join Central New Mexico SHRM and then register for our upcoming meeting.
Don’t wait – this offer ends December 31st! Share with a friend!!
SHRM News
Central NM SHRM's Mentorship Program
Unlock new opportunities and grow your HR career with Central NM SHRM's Mentorship Program! Whether you're an experienced professional looking to give back or an emerging HR leader seeking guidance, this program connects mentors and mentees to share insights, career pathways, and industry knowledge.
We are now accepting applications for both mentors and mentees!
CLICK to learn more about Central NM SHRM MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Central NM SHRM Job Board
Did you know you can post job openings and use JobBlasts on the Central NM SHRM website?
Visit our page to look at the newest job posts and post your job opening today https://centralnmshrm.org/classifieds.php.
Central nm shrm job board
Sponsorship
This October, we’re proud to welcome Glove Benefits as our sponsor! Glove Benefits isn’t your average benefits firm; they empower employees to become informed healthcare consumers by giving them the freedom to choose the plans that truly fit their lives. From direct primary care, prescription alternatives, billing negotiation support, to full compliance and enrollment services, Glove Benefits does healthcare differently. Join us in thanking them for supporting our work this month!
Spotlight Your Organization — Become a Central NM SHRM Sponsor
Each month, Central NM SHRM highlights a local organization at our events and in our communications. As a sponsor, you'll gain valuable visibility, speaking time, and access to an engaged HR audience.
We currently have openings for upcoming events!
CLICK TO Learn more and sign up to sponsor
Grow With Us!
We're excited to have you join our Central NM SHRM community of HR professionals, where you'll find opportunities to grow, connect, and make an impact.