HR Open Forum

by Lisa Haney (Human Resources Manager, TNWB)


April 23 - 25, 2008 marked the first Human Resources Open Forum (HR Forum) for Human Resource professionals within the Courts. The idea of the open forum was introduced to me when I attended the 2006 AO/FJC Bankruptcy Operational Practices Forum in Washington, D.C. and my court, Tennessee Western, decided to host a similar program for HR court professionals, when neither the AO nor FJC were able to run with this idea at this time.

If you are not familiar with the open forum concept, let me briefly explain. It is a process by which the participants submit topics to establish breakout sessions for the agenda once on site for the program. We were fortunate to have Bob Fagan and Judy Roberts (retired expert FJC employees) now with Bob Fagan and Associates, Inc., guide us through the process. This agenda setting process allowed the HR professionals of the Bankruptcy Courts to come together to discuss issues with those interested in the same subject matter in small group settings. I had seen the open forum process work with 300 - 400 people, but would it work with the 90 or so HR professionals who were attending? I would soon find out!

For this initial pilot HR conference, we did decide to limit attendance to one HR Representative from each bankruptcy court and we also opened it up to all HR staff in the 6th Circuit court units. We did have a wait-list, so if dropouts occurred, courts who had requested more than one staff attend, were able to send an additional person.

We were honored to have the Honorable Julia Smith Gibbons, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Honorable David S. Kennedy, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Tennessee, welcome the group and recognize the professionalism and dedication of HR leaders in the courts.

In addition to the open forum sessions, I wanted to have a few established sessions on issues and changes that all of us will be facing in the near future. First up was Stan Sargol, Special Assistant, Bankruptcy Court Administration Division (BCAD), who discussed the proposed Bankruptcy Staffing Formula and other pertinent budget issues. Pat Tuccio, Chief, Advisory Services, Court Personnel Management Division (CMPD), was on hand to discuss The Court Compensation Study. Chris Mays, Division Chief, Business Technology Optimization Division (BTOD) provided us with valuable information on the upcoming changes to the Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS).

Bob and Judy successfully led us through the agenda building process and once the agenda was together - I could finally breathe! We ended up with 17 sessions and a few sessions being held twice. During the break out sessions, we discussed issues such as performance standards, retirement, EDR, worker’s compensation, small court issues, IDP, HR Councils and AO processing and paper flow. We decided to keep the last morning open in order to manage any late-developing issues or subjects that were requested as repeats. That morning, however, the group requested we remain as a large group and tackle the remaining topics with AO assistance and Bob and Judy setting the pace and ensuring no question was left unanswered. Please visit the HR Forum website for notes on the sessions http://156.125.90.228/COBWEB/conference/index.htm

My initial goals for the program were:
1. To allow the attendees to meet and communicate face-to-face. Technology is a great resource, but it can’t replace putting a face with a name, renewing old friendships and making new ones. Not to mention - good food, great music and the chance to unwind!
2. To learn from each other’s experiences. Between all those attending, there is so much talent, knowledge and experience that we are a valuable resource to each other.
3. To gain a better understanding of our future role within the Court system, especially with the HRMIS changes, compensation changes and staffing/budget changes.

So, do I feel that the goals that I set for the program were accomplished? Yes, I do! However, it was only successful because of those who planned, organized, presented, facilitated, scribed and attended! Thank you to all of those who participated in one way or another; your participation and support made for a great program! I’m looking forward to the next HR Open Forum.

On that subject, I’ve had numerous requests to schedule another HR Forum in the next 12-18 months. TN-W is willing to assist any Court with the knowledge we’ve learned in how to produce and manage one of these conferences. The district and probation representatives also were interested in one specific to their needs. So -- any takers?

For more information please contact me at Lisa_Haney@tnwb.uscourts.gov