New Organization Boosts KC!
May, 2000

There's a new association in town. It's a teeny tiny group with only six members. Everyone in the group shares a burning, if not fanatic, interest in maximizing the 'people' side of area business and industry.

These six members represent some 1200+ KC area professionals who work in the fields of Training, Human Resources, Quality, Communications, Productivity and Organization Design. Oh yeah, last month this little group gave itself a name: The KC "Human Performance Resources Network"(HPRN)

So, what's the big deal?

Well, imagine if you could get all of the business leaders in the city to sit down each month and work on a shared vision for promoting and creating maximum employee job satisfaction and organization effectiveness in the greater KC area. Next, imagine if they had the vision, power and backing to make it happen! Not a bad thing you say. HPRN's plan is to be bullish on promoting employee and organizational effectiveness.

The group started out in March as an informal get together of the presidents of HRMA, ASTD and the Heartland OD Network. We were soon joined by the presidents of AQP, ISPI, and the National Speakers Association who brought their creative ideas, and their members, into the fold.

HPRN has already reviewed some thirty ideas for linking all six organizations for the common good of its members, their host employers/employees, and the overall KC business scene.

Some startup actions that are now being implemented include:

• Each member organization will post 'links' to each other's sites on their web pages creating a master web of area resources.
  
  
• Develop a HPRN brochure for distribution at each associations meetings and publication on each website.
  
  
• Create a common 'calendar' of events for publication on member websites, in KC media, and to use as handouts.
  
  
• Host at least one co-sponsored  'mega' meeting.
  
  
• Merge all member association job lines. (Initially provide links to all member associations).
  
  
• Create a series of guest articles in each other's member newsletters. (You're reading one now!)

We believe there are tremendous benefits that can emerge from the shared interests of these groups. And we hope you do too! Please let your chapter leadership know of your ideas and suggestions for HPRN.

Charlie Huddleston, President
Heartland Organization Development Network
odworks@supertoolbox.com