Your immediate superior (boss) has asked you to investigate and provide a report (of no more than 2,500 words excluding Summary and References) on the relative merits of joining a local or international human resource professional association. Make sure you directly address the intended recipient of your report; the current immediate superior you report, or have reported to in the past or wish to report to. Some well established international professional human resource associations are listed and summarised below, but there may be others worth considering. Specifically and deliberately, ascertain the benefits and deficiencies or each of these bodies, including an analysis of what each offers and membership requirements, and evaluate hem against your criteria for selection.

From your perspective decide which of these organisations meets your particular professional and personal requirements. Given the choice, which of these professional organisations would you join? Justify the reasons for the decision you make in relation to your career stage, other aspects from Noe (see below), and your aspiration. Demonstrate that you are acquainted with these professional organisations.

The first essential step towards success in this assignment is to closely and refer to and personally apply the development planning process from pages 368 to 375 in Chapter 9 “Employee Development and Career Management” (6th Ed.) of Raymond A. Noe’s ‘Employee Training & Development’, to ascertain your development plan and decide what future you are planning as an HR professional. Where possible connect to the human resource management concepts and practices learnt in the MSHRM program.

NOT RELATING THE ISSUES DISCUSSED IN THE RELEVANT NOE CHAPTER TO YOUR CAREER ASPIRATIONS WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC FAIL GRADE.

1 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) http://www.shrm.orgSHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China and India.

2 Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

http://www.cipd.co.uk CIPD is a UK based professional body for those involved in the management and development of people. The organisation has over 135,000 members, and achieved chartered status in 2000. Membership of the CIPD is highly respected and widely accepted by employers as a requirement of practice. CIPD’s mission is to:

• to lead in the development and promotion of good practice in the field of the management and development of people, for application both by professional members and by their organisational colleagues.

• to serve the professional interests of members.

• to uphold the highest ideals in the management and development of people.

3 Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI)

http://www.ahri.com.au

AHRI is the national Australian association representing human resource and people management professionals and currently has more than 12,000 members. AHRI has more than 60 years experience in providing specialist education, professional development and membership services. AHRI leads the direction and fosters the growth of the HR profession through actively setting standards and building the capability of the profession. Through its international affiliations and close association with industry and academia, AHRI ensures that its members are given access to a soundly-based professional recognition framework. The AHRI vision people leading business recognises the changing requirements of Australian business against a background of considerable economic challenge. It also acknowledges the continuing opportunity for the HR profession to actively contribute specialist knowledge for the delivery of people management solutions to business. AHRI offers practical, relevant and cost-effective ways to obtain a professional human resources qualification through its two education courses; the Foundations of HR and the Professional Diploma of HR.

4 Arabian Society for Human Resource Management (ASHRM) http://arabinfomall.bibalex.org/En/OrgData.aspx?orgid=1640§ionid=3

Founded in 1991, the Arabian Society for Human Resource Management (ASHRM) is a society dedicated to the management and development of human resources and the exchange of information and expertise in this area. ASHRM is a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of the human resource management professional in the Arab World by providing the most essential and comprehensive set of resources available. In addition, ASHRM is committed to advancing the human resource profession in the Arab World and the capabilities of all human resource professionals to ensure that HR is an essential and effective partner in developing and executing organizational strategy. Membership in ASHRM is open to all business and personnel management professionals, students pursuing a degree related to human resource management, and individuals whose interests conform to the objectives of the organization. The diversity, creativity and motivation of this membership are key to ASHRM’s success since its founded in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia 1991.

5 The Human Resources Forum (THRF) (Dubai)

http://www.thrf.ae/

The Human Resources Forum (THRF) was founded in the mid 1970’s by a number of enthusiastic HR Managers who were keen to network, share experiences and seek continuous professional development. The Forum is open to anyone who is connected with Human Resources and wishes to pursue those objectives. The Human Resources Forum currently has over 300 members representing over 150 companies from most business sectors across the Emirates. The THRF is an organisation member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development in the UK and will encourage the attainment of professional standards for those that seek them. Although its status is a Forum of professionals, the managing committee recommended its registration as a professional body with the Department of Economic Development in early 2002.

6 Other international or local professional human resource associations

Such as the Association for Talent Development (ATD, formerly ASTD, https://www.astd.com), the Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD, www.aitd.com.au), the Institute of Recruitment Professionals (https://www.rec-irp.uk.com), International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM, http://www.ihrim.org), and WorldatWork, US total rewards organisation (www.worldatwork.org). Select one if it is appropriate to your personal goals and career analysis