The history of Human Resources
Professionals Association of Northwestern Ontario is one that is very storied
and interesting. The Association as it is today, has not changed greatly in
the area of direction and purpose. The Association has the same common goals
now as it did in its first years of existence. However, it has expanded to
meet the changing needs of the members and the needs of the Human Resources
profession. The Association has continually grown in size and grown in its
influence on the profession as a whole.
The Association was first formed in the early 1950’s, and
was named "The Lakehead Guidance and Personnel Association." The
membership consisted of Guidance Teachers from the Secondary School System
along with Personnel and Industrial Relations Practitioners.
In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, many Personnel and
Industrial Relations Practitioners in the Thunder Bay and surrounding area
discussed the idea of an association that was exclusive to the Personnel
field. It wasn’t until 1972 that the Association evolved to become exclusive
to Human Resources Practitioners and Professionals. The Association was
renamed the Personnel Association of Northwestern Ontario (PANO). The
inaugural meeting of the new association was held on January 14, 1972 in the
Faculty Lounge at Confederation College. Twelve professionals from around the
city and surrounding area attended the first meeting, however the association
had over twenty-five members signed by this time. Those members in attendance
at the inaugural PANO meeting voted on the Executive Board. The first
ever-executive board of PANO was as follows;
President - Cliff Roach (Canadian Car)
1st Vice President - Richard Wilson (City of
Thunder Bay)
2nd Vice President - John Chipman (Lakehead
University)
Secretary-Tresaurer - Lorne Firman (Lakehead University)
Directors - Ken Eoll (Steep Rock Iron Mines), G. Bicknell
(Great Lakes Paper Co), Guy Robinson (McKellar General Hospital)
The first item discussed after the election of officers,
was the adoption of a Constitution. It had been drafted earlier by the same
Committee who had been working to institute the Personnel Association. It was
moved by Dr. Chris Jecchinis and seconded by Mike O’Brien that the
constitution be accepted as proposed. The motion carried and the first
Constitution of the Personnel Association of Northwestern Ontario was adopted.
The next area of discussion was the issue of Membership.
Mike O’Brien was elected Membership chairman, and would work with Tom Rainey
and Dr. Chris Jecchinis on a Membership Committee. This committee was the only
committee struck during the first meeting. Committees dealing in Programs and
Public Relations were formed later that first year.
The last item on the agenda was the date and time of future
meetings. It was decided that the association should meet once a month. It was
also decided to hold these meetings every third Friday of each month.
The idea of possibly joining the Canadian Federation of
Personnel Associations was also brought forth. Most believed that this was a
good idea because it gave the association more exposure and contacts, and it
also gave members a subscription to the Canadian Personnel and Industrial
Relations Journal published by the Canadian Federation. However, even though
most believed this to be a good idea, no decision regarding membership to the
Federation was reached. The meeting was then adjourned and was followed by a
social period.
The association remained unchanged for nearly 8 years,
operating and conducting itself in the same manner. In early 1979, Personnel
Associations from around Ontario began to discuss the notion of a province
wide association. A Steering Committee was struck to discuss and possibly
develop a province wide association. Merrick Bryson, who was President of PANO
at that time, represented our association on the Steering Committee. The
committee developed a structure for the province wide association to follow.
In September of 1979, PANO joined 19 other member associations to form the
Personnel Association of Ontario (PAO). The Personnel Association of
Northwestern Ontario was now a part of a larger and more powerful body.
During the 1980’s the association began working closely
with many other industry leaders and government officials. The local
associations, as well as the provincial association have always worked closely
with government officials at all levels. The association gives its input and
insight into proposed bills and laws that may affect the Human Resources
field.
The 1990’s brought rapid and momentous changes to the
Northwestern Ontario chapter and every association affiliated with the
provincial body. In early June 1990, the association changed its name to
mirror the changes that were occurring at the provincial level. The provincial
association had changed its name from the Personnel Association of Ontario to
the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario (HRPAO). Locally, our
association officially became known as the Human Resources Professionals of
Northwestern Ontario (HRPANO). Also in June 1990, the Human Resources
Professionals Association of Ontario Act was passed in legislation, thus
allowing for the "Certified Human Resources Professionals" (CHRP)
Designation to be administered by the provincial association. The CHRP
designation was the first certified Human Resources Designation in North
America. These changes were made to reflect the new and changing field of the
Human Resources Professional. The field had become more diversified and
professional from that of strictly Personnel functions and changes in the
association were made to reflect these changes in the profession.
During the 1980’s, PANO began to work more with the
different organizations and companies in the city and surrounding area. One of
the associations’ major projects was to attract new members into the
association. The association also began to assert its existence more into the
community and post-secondary schools. In 1983, PANO decided to sponsor a
bursary to each Confederation College and Lakehead University. This bursary
was and still is, presented to a student majoring in the personnel field. A
two-year membership into the association is presented to a deserving student
in the field of Human Resources/Industrial Relations. The association also ran
a program in conjunction with the College and University called the
"Buddy Program". This program allowed students to use an experienced
professional for assistance and as a resource during the school year. This
program also led to many students joining the association and making several
contacts in the field. The program was a success for a number of years, until
students lost interest in the program. Still, today HRPANO works closely with
the educational institutes in ensuring that the Human Resources and Industrial
Relations courses meet the guidelines of HRPAO so that students may qualify
for the Provincial Certificate in Human Resources Management (CHRM). The CHRM
is the first step needed to achieve the Certified Human Resources Professional
Designation (CHRP).
The Association is more than merely a gathering of
professionals in Human Resources to talk about Human Resources matters and
labour arbitration cases. The Association hosts some great parties during the
year, including the Christmas social and the Summer Golf Tournament. These two
functions are highlighted on every member’s calendar as soon as the dates
and locations are announced. These events offer the membership to get to know
one another on a more social level. Aside from the special events thrown by
HRPANO, there is also the regular monthly meeting where the membership
gathers. The monthly meetings are more formal then those of the special
functions. Each month, the membership comes together to dine and listen to
guest speakers on a Human Resources related subject. These lunch hour meetings
offer a chance for people in a related field to come together in more of a
business setting and relate experiences to others at the table. The
Association also host workshops and seminars throughout the year to
continuously educate their membership.
The purpose and the goals of the association have always
been the same. The Northwestern Ontario Association is committed to educating
its members on every aspect of the continuously changing field of Human
Resources. The Association is ever changing to meet the needs of its members,
the industry and the business world. Our chapter has grown from being 30
original members to over 100 local members, from distributing information on
meeting cards to being the first provincial affiliate with a web-site and
e-mail capability. The Association continues to work for the good of its
membership and the field of Human Resources. The Human Resources Professionals
Association of Northwestern Ontario has always been an organization of
business, but knows how to incorporate a fun atmosphere into the membership.
The activities planned throughout the year are meant to bring the membership
together and make the profession in Thunder Bay stronger. The Human Resources
Professional Association of Northwestern Ontario has always been an
organization working for its members and their profession. The Association's
future appears to be as stable and interesting as the past has been.
