Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources will hold its annual Fall Conference on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 18 and 19, in Springfield.
The conference will open with a keynote workshop: “Recruitment Strategies for Greater Diversity.” Led by Eden-Reneé Hayes, CEO of Pluralism Solutions, the session will highlight how diversity, equity and inclusion foster genuine relationships and inspire sustainable growth.
The afternoon will feature a roundtable discussion on recruitment best practices, moderated by Pittsfield Human Resources Director Michael Taylor. Facilitators will lead participants in small group discussions.
Jerry Posner, an accomplished training specialist and personal strategic coach, will lead an afternoon workshop, “Cooling Hostility,” which will provide practical tools, techniques and strategies for deescalating potentially hostile situations.
Thursday will conclude a networking reception, followed by an optional trip to the Big E, New England’s largest annual fair. Trip tickets are limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who wish to participate must register using the conference registration link. Transportation to and from the fair will not be provided, and carpooling is encouraged.
The conference will resume on Friday with a networking breakfast at 8 a.m.
The morning will feature a panel discussion on employee wellness and morale, moderated by East Longmeadow HR Director Audra Staples, and featuring Danvers Assistant Town Manager and Communications Director Jen Breaker, Springfield Assistant HR Director Caitlyn Julius, and Tyngsborough Town Manager Colin Loiselle.
The program will conclude with a workshop on employee resource groups, which will discuss how the groups help foster supportive and inclusive workplaces.
The agenda also includes networking activities, a morning yoga class, and a legislative update by MMA Legislative Director Dave Koffman.
Registration and a welcome breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18.
The conference will be held at the Marriott Springfield Downtown.
The registration fee is $200 for the full conference, or $125 for Thursday only.
Click here to book your hotel room under our group rate. The deadline to reserve hotel rooms is Wednesday, August 27. Please contact the Marriott Springfield Downtown directly if you wish to cancel your reservation.
Thursday, September 18
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Conference registration and welcome breakfast
9:30-9:45 a.m.
Welcome remarks and opening announcements
9:45-10:15 a.m.
MMA Legislative Update
• Dave Koffman, MMA Legislative Director
10:15-11 a.m.
HR Open Mic
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Keynote: Recruitment Strategies for Greater Diversity
• Dr. Eden-Renée Hayes, Pluralism Solutions
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Lunch
1:30-2:45 p.m.
Recruitment Discussion Roundtable
2:45-3 p.m.
Healthy snack break
3-4:30 p.m.
Cooling Hostility Workshop
• Jerry Posner, Training Specialist and Personal Strategic Coach, The Posner Group
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Free time
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Reception
6:30 p.m.
Dinner on your own and Big E Trip
Friday, September 19
7-8 a.m.
Rooftop yoga
Amy Bourque, Transform at Amy Bourque Yoga Studio
8-9 a.m.
Breakfast
9-9:05 a.m.
Opening announcements
9:05-10:30 a.m.
Employee Wellness and Morale Panel
Panelists:
• Caitlyn Julius, Assistant HR Director, Springfield
• Jen Breaker, Assistant Town Manager and Communications Director, Danvers
• Colin Loiselle, Town Manager, Tyngsborough
Moderator: Audra Staples, Human Resources Director, East Longmeadow
10:30-10:45 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m.-12 p.m.
Employee Resource Groups Panel
Panelists:
• Albert Pless, Director of Equity and Social Justice, Reading
• Tatiana Swanson, Human Resources Director, Needham
Moderator: Jillian Harvey, Chief Equity Officer, MMA
12 p.m.
Closing announcements and adjournment
Location
Marriott Springfield Downtown, 2 Boland Way, Springfield
Contact
MMA Member Program Coordinator Martin Davis