2008 AWARDS
Rising Star: The NOARK member who has demonstrated the potential to be an impact on the HR community.
2008 Recipient - Danielle Wood, University of Arkansas
The Rising Star Award has been established to recognize a member who has recently decided to jump into NOARK with both feet. This year’s recipient, Danielle Wood, University of AR, certainly meets this criteria. She was elected to the NOARK Board of Directors in 2008 and has agreed to serve another year. One of her most outstanding attributes is her desire to get as many NOARK members as possible involved in her committee. She knows how to fully engage those she works with.
It is important to highlight her monthly “Diversity spotlight” in which she has asked members of her committee to speak before the membership. The plans for the Diversity Conference are well on their way, and again each member of her committee is heavily involved in the planning.
NOARK is delighted to recognize Danielle Wood as the 2008 Rising Star Award winner
Committee of the Year: The NOARK committee that has made the biggest impact toward “Advancing the Profession” and “Serving the Professional”.
2008 Recipient - Workforce Readiness – Gretchen Laffoon, Chair
Rogers/Lowell Chamber of Commerce
Committee Members:
Beverly Morrison
Carol Jones
Colleen Lightwine
Jean Madden
Phyllis McGinty
Rhonda Stamps
Shelia Bowen
Missy Ross- Cole
Cathleen Hoffman
NOARK strives to be an organization in which everyone who wants to be involved can find a place to contribute. Therefore it is only suiting that an award be established that recognizes a group of individuals who have come together to become a cohesive team. A team that works together for a common goal. A team that is eager to support one another thru both good times and bad.
The Awards Committee identified one committee that met the criteria. In addition the work of this committee has certainly served to meet the mission of the Society in Advancing the Profession.
This year the Committee being recognized came together to not only represent NOARK in the most positive of ways. It also committed its time and resources to helping many in our community get on a path to better themselves. Two outstanding highlights from 2008 were the NOARK Fashion Cents and Shadow Day.
Congratulations to the Workforce Readiness Committee
NOARK Member of the Year - Awarded to the member whose contributions and participation made a high impact on the NOARK organization.
2008 Recipient – Craig Parrish, BNSF Logistics
A recipient for this award has not been selected for several years. However, in 2008 there is an individual who has quietly, consistently and persistently worked behind the scenes to move NOARK into the 21st century. The member selected as the 2008 Member of the Year is Craig Parrish.
Craig took on a HUGE project, that most of our members felt was beyond their capabilities. Craig accepted the challenge to manage all aspects of our webpage. Just a few of the tasks he single handedly accomplished included being involved in the design, selecting an organization to host the page, working with programmers to ensure our expectations were met, and testing the pages. In addition he took the necessary steps to ensure members could register and pay on-line. The new design allows us to more accurately track our membership, as well as providing us a tool to survey our members. He actively updates the page anytime we request that something be posted.
Credit has to be given to Craig and the website for the recent recognition provided to NOARK by SHRM as a “Super Star Membership” Chapter, due to our increase in membership. One of the keys to the continuing growth of our chapter is the ability to reach out and communicate in a timely manner. Today that means the use of technology.
Because of his profound commitment to establish a web site that meets our needs, our 2008 Member of the Year is Craig Parrish of BSNF Logistics.
Pillar Award: Not awarded every year, this award goes to a long-standing member of NOARK who consistently makes an impact on the HR Community through their active participation.
2008 Recipient – Ed Wheeler, PHR City of Bentonville
This year’s award recipient is one that will be hard to match by others. Certainly his contributions to NOARK, ARSHRM, and the HR Profession are many and highly valued.
Ed Wheeler has been a mentor to so many NOARK members. He is always there to assist anytime he needed. He is an individual who meets and exceeds the criteria for this award.
Awards:
HR Professional of the Year—2001
NOARK Member of the Year---1998
Staffmark “Corporate Services Employee of the Year”—1998
NOARK Offices:
Certification Chair—1996
President-Elect-1998
President-1999
Past President-2000
State Conferences:
Co-Chair---2002
Programs Chair—2004
Registration Chair-2008
State Council:
Chapter Advocate Director
Technology Director
WF Readiness Director
Represented NOARK while Chapter President
HR Professional of the Year: The purpose of the award is to recognize an individual that has shown outstanding service and has promoted the profession of Human Resources Management.
2008 Recipient – Cathleen Hoffman, SPHR Daisy Outdoor Products
Cathleen Hoffman was selected for this honor because she is an individual who has gone above and beyond in so many different ways in her service to NOARK and promoting the profession of Human Resources. She is an individual who accepts every challenge and strives to perform her duties with passion. She has served on a variety of committees including Diversity, Membership, and Workforce Readiness. Any time there is an opportunity to attend a community function where there may be a link for NOARK to be a partner, she is there.
She has served on the NOARK Board of Directors as President Elect and President, and has also served as the ARSHRM Workforce Readiness Chair.
Congratulations to a most deserving HR Professional – Cathleen Hoffman.
