Various Events and Initiatives Throughout the Year
PIHRA Foundation supports workforce readiness in Southern California including support for education through programs such as “You and Your First Job” and human resources scholarships. The scholarship program attracts top students from local universities who have a commitment to enter the human resources field. Recipients are selected on a competitive basis by a committee of seasoned PIHRA members who are themselves part time university instructors.
PIHRA members, their companies, and others interested in the mission of the Foundation are encouraged to send contributions to:
PIHRA Foundation
1515 W 190th St, Ste 530
Gardena, CA 90248
John Silver, D.C.G, Foundation President
Email: pihrafoundation@pihra.org
Phone: 661-251-4870
Fax: 661-298-8630
The PIHRA Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation serving Southern California communities. The PIHRA Foundation was established in partnership with the Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA). The PIHRA Foundation is continuing its fund raising activities in order to have the resources to carry out its various programs.
PIHRA members, their companies, and others interested in the mission of the Foundation are encouraged to send contributions to:
PIHRA Foundation
1515 W 190th St, Ste 530
Gardena, CA 90248
John Silver, D.C.G, Foundation President
Email: pihrafoundation@pihra.org
Phone: 661-251-4870
Fax: 661-298-8630
The concept of a foundation affiliated with PIHRA was announced by 1989 incoming PIHRA President Roger Sommer in his installation address. The possibility of starting such an organization was studied that year, but abandoned because it was thought that the foundation would need a substantial capital base which was not available.
Approximately one year later, it was decided to try again, but this time as a not-for-profit, tax exempt 501c3 organization. Lee Patterson of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal succeeded in this effort, and the first meeting of the Board of Directors was held on March 27th, 1991. Roger Sommer served as its first President.
The organization was incorporated as Human Resource Management Institute (HRMI), as initial plans were for it to offer human resources professional development programs. This plan was scrapped because of tax considerations, and the name was changed in 1994 to PIHRA Foundation. Its mission statement was established as: “To promote the Human Resource profession through research, education and community service, primarily in Southern California.”
Prior to the PIHRA Foundation, the You and Your First Job (Y&YFJ) program and the fund raising to support it was a function of PIHRA. This responsibility was transferred to the Foundation as an affiliated organization of PIHRA. The Y&YFJ program has had a long and highly successful history including receiving one of six Pinnacle Awards granted by SHRM in 1992.
In order to more effectively raise the funds necessary to support the Y&YFJ program, the Foundation initiated a silent auction event at the 1994 PIHRA Annual Conference, and this fund raiser has become a fixture at the Conference since that time.
Since its inception, the PIHRA Foundation has provided over $100,000 worth of assistance to educate Human Resource professionals and those individuals entering the workforce. Of that total:
Over $52,000 funded HR college scholarships awarded to PIHRA members.
Over $10,000 funded college scholarships to PIHRA members’ sons and daughters in any discipline.
Over $34,000 was used to develop and train high school students and those re-entering the workforce with the use of the foundation’s publications.
We also published the Job Seeker Materials “You and Your First Job” and “You and Your Next Job” booklet which have been donated to the vocational classes of scores of California secondary schools and junior colleges.
 John Silver, D.C.G. President   |
 Bill Groenekamp Vice President |
 Ed Johnson, SPHR Financial Officer\Treasurer |
 Rona Bourdeau, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Secretary |
 Barbara Allen, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Board Member |
 Sybil Belton-Braggs, PHR, SHRM-CP Board Member  |
 Mark Christensen Board Member  |
 Arte Nathan Board Member |
 Victoria Okolo Board Member |
 Michelle Schuh, PHR, SHRM-CP Board Member |
 Patti Sprinkle President of PIHRA |
 Cheryl Wyrick, Ph.D., SPHR Board Member |
 Tara J. Hervey Board Member |
 Roger D. Sommer, SPHR Emeritus Board Member |
In keeping with its commitment to the human resources community and in recognition of the current difficult economic times, the PIHRA Foundation has allocated funds to provide one HR professional with a stipend in the form of a full admission to the annual California HR Conference® held in Long Beach, CA on August 25 – August 28, 2019.
To be eligible for the award, the recipient must:
– Be a current HR professional
– Be in transition at the time of the application
– Certify willingness to attend all three days of the conference and to defray all other costs necessary for such attendance
Submit a fully and accurately completed application form no later than July 5, 2019.
Applicants meeting the eligibility requirements will be entered into a random drawing from which one member will be selected for award of the stipend. The decisions of the PIHRA Foundation Board will be final in all aspects of this opportunity. Members and immediate Family Members of the PIHRA Foundation are not eligible to apply for the Stipend.
We urge you to follow the instructions carefully. Applications must be submitted to pihra.foundation.scholarships@gmail.com by July 5, 2019 with “PIHRA FOUNDATION Scholarship Application” in the subject line.
Questions concerning the application process may be directed to the PIHRA Foundation at the above email.
The PIHRA Foundation HR Student Scholarship provides grants in the following categories:
Undergraduate:
Graduate:
The HR Student Scholarship application will be available October 4, 2019 through November 15, 2019.
As part of its commitment to the human resources community, the PIHRA Foundation annually grants scholarships to support HR professionals and students, and the Winter 2018 recipients have been selected. Thank you for applying and congratulations to the award winners!
Congrats to our 2018 HR Certification Award Winners for the PIHRA Foundation Scholarship!
Hyeri Cho
SHRM-CP
Lindsey Purington
SHRM-CP
We are now accepting applications for our next round of scholarship awards.
Scroll up to learn more and download an application!
The Silent Auction at the annual California HR Conference in Anaheim, CA, is our main fundraising event. Auction proceeds fund scholarships to deserving Human Resource majors at local colleges and universities and for their professional certifications. The Foundation also funds two programs: “You and Your First Job”, for high school students applying for their first job, and “You and Your Next Job”, for those wanting to change jobs or those returning to the workforce.
There are two ways that you can help to underwrite our annual Silent Auction:
The PIHRA Foundation is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) organization and the value of your donation may be considered a tax deduction.
Donated items will be displayed in the Exhibition Hall’s Silent Auction booth for the Conference attendees to view and bid on your products and see your company name as a donor or sponsor who supports the PIHRA Foundation.
Please check back on this site soon to find further details regarding the next Silent Auction.
Questions concerning the Silent Auction or any other donation may be directed to the PIHRA Foundation at pihrafoundation@pihra.org.
Below please find the Donation Form for your review and/or use.
– pdf version
– Word version
Your favorite online retailers will make a donation on your behalf to the Foundation every time you shop at their online stores once you have registered. It’s so easy! So get started on your holiday shopping and making a tax deductible donation to the Foundation all at the same time!
It’s easy to get started. Simply visit www.escrip.com – click on “1 Sign Up – It’s Free!” and complete the four easy Steps (enter “PIHRA Foundation” as the Group).
Once registered online, go to www.escrip.com Click on “At The Online Mall” under “Welcome to eScrip!” Select your online store – Start shopping!
Here are a few of your favorite participating online stores: Amazon, babyGAP, Apple Store, Dell Home, Home Depot, Staples, Bloomingdale’s, Adidas, LEGO, Best Buy, FTD, Harry and David, GODIVA Chocolatier, Petsmart, Nordstrom, Toys R Us, Sears, Lancome, JCPenny, TurboTax, Barnes&Noble, Cabelas, Blue Nile, Sephora, eHarmony, TiVo, Restaurant.com, Eddie Bauer, Office Depot, eBay, Gap.com, SonyStyle.com, Vistaprint.com, Wireless from AT&T…and more!
Every contribution to the Foundation makes a difference to the HR students and professionals we serve. In 2013 four students received a total of $10,000 for scholarships, four HR professionals received a total of $2,000 toward PHR/SPHR Certification and three in transition professionals received CA HR Conference stipends valued at $1,197. These awards were made possible thanks to the funds raised from the Silent Auction, District donations and individual contributors. The PIHRA Foundation Board extends a sincere thanks to all.
If you just want to make a year-end contribution to meet your tax deduction limits, simply make your check payable to PIHRA Foundation and mail it to the PIHRA office:
PIHRA Foundation
1515 W 190th St, Ste 530
Gardena, CA 90248
It’s called the information age, the 24/7 workplace, and the service economy. But no matter what you call it, the 21st century is bringing far-reaching changes ill the way we live and work and learn.
You can see changes going on all around you. There are new jobs, new ways to work, new technologies, and new challenges. As you look to the future you may feel overwhelmed and insecure, or excited and confident.
Do you have what it takes to find success in the 21st century work force? Sure you do! While you may not have the sophisticated skills or abilities for this “high-tech” century, if you have a great attitude and a willingness and enthusiasm to learn, you will find limitless opportunities.
Finding, choosing and building a career takes a lot of work, knowledge and support because careers just don’t work like they used to. This booklet is organized around a four-step career development process: Discover, Explore, Decide, and Act.
It is our hope that reading and completing the activities and suggestions in this Booklet, will help you find a career path filled with extraordinary success.
“Follow your bliss and be what you want to be. Don’t climb the ladder of success only to find its leaning against the wrong wall.” – Bernie Siegel
If you are interested in obtaining copies of our publications, please contact PIHRA at (310) 416-1210 or download the Order Form here.
Are you interested in a PDF file copy? Click here to submit a request form.
For other inquiries, please email us at info@pihrafoundation.org
PIHRA Foundation has partnered with L.A. Youth at Work, an initiative of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, L.A. Youth at Work, to recruit volunteers for Job Skills Workshop or Mock Interview which any HR professional can participate.
If you are ready, willing, and able to volunteer please contact PIHRA Foundation Board Member Jenny Klein immediately:
Email: jennybklein@cox.net
Phone: (949) 887-3447
Maria Dolores Nieto | Director, Education & Workforce Development
LA Youth at Work | UNITELA
Ph: 213.580.7599
mnieto@lachamber.com | www.layouthatwork.org
There are many ways to Volunteer with PIHRA & hone your leadership skills.
