Recognizing our Member Volunteers

This month our theme is “Celebrating Successes: Recognition”, and we are reminded of the importance of acknowledging and recognizing the contributions of others, and of celebrating successes.

In this, our 60th anniversary year, we extend a heart-felt “thank you” to all our member-volunteers for their dedication to our profession and their support of our association. In particular, we with to recognize those who are serving on one of our committees, working groups, or communities of practices. We thank you for your gift of time and service to the important work of our association!

60th Anniversary Committee

The 60th Anniversary Planning Committee is leading the celebrations, recognition initiatives and events with respect to OMHRA’s 60th Anniversary, engaging members, potential members, sponsors, potential sponsors and other stakeholders in the year-long celebration.

Together, they are developing, creating, inspiring and fostering creative and cost-effective ways to celebrate the history and achievements OMHRA.

• Magda Leski, Manager of Human Resources, City of Cambridge
• Tamara Obee, Director, Human Resources,Township of Oro-Medonte
• Kerry Pletch, Human Resources Manager, City of Guelph
• Brittany Wilson, Human Resources Manager, Township of Ramara

60th Anniversary Dinner committee

This committee is responsible for planning our gala and entertainment:

• Andrea Daisley, Manager of Human Resources, City of Welland
• Megan Jamieson, Director of HR, Corporate & Social Services, Haldimand County
• Emily Mellors, HR Administrative Assistant, County of Brant
• Liana Patterson, Chief People Officer, City of Kawartha Lakes

Collective Bargaining Working Groups 

OMHRA’s Collective Bargaining Working Groups meet every six to eight weeks for informal and confidential discussions to exchange information on collective bargaining, mediation, arbitration, policies, procedures, and trends. Working Groups have been established for:

• Fire Services -  chair Lori Bolton, OMHRA President and Director of Human Resources, City of Orillia
• Inside/Outside Workers – chair Danielle Leonard, Human Resources Consultant, Loyalist Township
• Long-Term Care – chair Amy Smith, Director of Human Resources, Oxford County
• Paramedic Services – chair Kyla Martell, Manager, Organizational Health and Labour Relations, County of Simcoe
• Public Health – chair Jeff Garritsen, Associate Director, Labour & Employee Relations and Employee Health, Regional Municipality of Niagara
• Transit Services chair – chair Joshua Doreen-Harfield, Manager, Employee & Labour Relations, City of Mississauga

Communities of Practice 

Communities of Practice were recently set up to provide informal opportunities to hold confidential discussions to generate new knowledge and to identify solutions to common problems. They meet every six to eight weeks.

Compensation and Benefits Community of Practice – A rewarding compensation and benefits plan attracts high-performing candidates and helps foster staff motivation, retention, and a positive workplace experience. This Community or Practice forum will allow for the exchange of ideas and information about emerging trends for compensation and benefits in the municipal sector. 

Mental Fitness Community of Practice – led by OMHRA member Lorena Krasnai Caprar (Manager of Human Resources and Health and Safety, County of Brant). This community of practice offers insights and tools to strengthen your resilience, prepare you for life’s adversities and experience growth so you can live a flourishing life.

Organizational Development Community of Practice – led by OMHRA member Kerry Pletch (HR Manager, City of Guelph). This forum provides for an exchange of information about such topics as managing employee wellbeing and potential burnout, corporate values and culture, employee and leader development, employee engagement, performance management cycles, building inclusive teams and document and HR process management. The emphasis of this community of practice is on helping create resilient organizations by aligning their structure and culture.

Talent Management Community of Practice – led by OMHRA Director Susan Hsiung (Human Resources Business Partner, City of Markham). From a shortage of talent, to growing and ever-changing employee expectations, to understanding the role of technology in municipal service delivery to a mass of retirements, talent management poses both a significant challenge and a significant opportunity for today’s municipal HR professional.  This forum explores these issues, and exchanges ideas and best practices for talent management.

Education Committee

Its objectives of this committee are to ensure that speakers, webinars, conferences, and other related events reflect topics of interest to the membership and include emerging trends in the HR occupation, particularly as it relates to Ontario.

• Geoff Clarke, General Manager of Corporate Services, City of Cornwall
• Natasha Grmusa, Manager, Employee Relations, City of Waterloo
• Megan Jamieson, Director of HR, Corporate & Social Services, Haldimand County
• Lorena Krasnai Caprar, Manager of HR and Health and Safety, County of Brant
• Jason MacLean, Manager of Training/Development and Client Services, City of Niagara Falls
• Jane Parr, Chair, and Human Resources Director, County of Simcoe
• Jeanette Pillitteri, Corporate Support Services Director, City of St. Catharines
• Kerry Pletch, Human Resources Manager, City of Guelph
• Ian Roger, CAO, Township of Guelph/Eramosa

Communications Working Group

The Communications Working Group is mandated to increase awareness and visibility of OMHRA, its vision, mission and objectives as well as the programs and services it provides to its members. It is responsible for creating and executing a social and digital media strategy that is coordinated with other communication efforts, such as our monthly newsletter.

• Annie Beck, Senior Human Resources Generalist, City of Port Colborne
• Geoff Clarke, Chair and General Manager of Corporate Services, City of Cornwall
• Jennifer DiMartino, HR Advisor, County of Dufferin
• Melissa Laufman, HR Business Partner, City of Brantford
• Trina McGarvey, Director, Human Resources, County of Lennox and Addington
• Kerry Pletch, Human Resources Manager, City of Guelph
• Kathy Weidhaas, Director, Human Resources, City of Waterloo