Monthly Newsletter

Fall is officially here!  The leaves are starting to change, the temperatures are cooling down, and it’s the perfect time to settle back into routines and look ahead to the rest of the year. For HR professionals, the fall season can bring plenty of activity, from planning for year-end to supporting our teams through all the changes that come with a new season.

At CRHRA, we’re keeping things moving with opportunities to connect, learn, and share ideas with fellow HR professionals across the Capital Region. In this month’s edition, you’ll find upcoming events, ways to get involved, and a few resources to help you head into the final months of the year feeling informed and connected.

As always, we want to hear from you! Have a topic you’d love to see covered, a resource to share, or an idea for CRHRA? Drop us a note in our Suggestion Box.

And, of course, enjoy the fall season! 

What we’re covering this issue:

2026 Wage & Benefit Survey 

CRHRA is celebrating 80 years of supporting HR professionals across the Capital Region, and what better way to honor that legacy than by strengthening the data our community relies on. As organizations continue navigating competitive hiring markets and shifting compensation trends, the CRHRA 2026 Compensation and Benefits Survey gives you the clear, local insights you need to plan confidently for the year ahead. Your participation helps build a stronger regional benchmark and keeps our HR community thriving as we finish our 80th year.

Why participate?

✓ Benchmark compensation against the local market

✓ Support salary planning and budgeting

✓ Help build better compensation data for our region

✓ Receive the full report at no cost

The survey takes at most 3 hours, and you can save your progress and return later.

-Your data is confidential. Compensation information will be securely maintained and reported only in aggregate.

- BONUS: Every participating organization will be entered to win a $150 Uncommon Grounds gift certificate for an office breakfast!

Complete the Survey Today!

Upcoming Events

Conducting an Employment Law Risk Assessment for Workplace AI - Wednesday, October 14th ~ 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Free Webinar

AI is becoming a bigger part of the workplace, but are organizations prepared for the legal and compliance risks that come with it? Join Janelle A. Pelli, Partner at Hinckley Allen, for a practical session on navigating employment-law risks associated with workplace AI. Attendees will learn how to identify high-risk AI uses, assess potential legal concerns, and put practical policies, governance, and safeguards in place. The session will also provide ready-to-use tools and resources to help HR, Legal, IT, and compliance teams approach AI adoption with greater confidence.

Sign Up Here!

Labor & Employment Law Update w/ John Bagyi - Wednesday, November 4th ~ 8:00 - 11:30 AM - Rivers Casino & Resort (1 Rush St., Schenectady, NY) 

It’s time for our annual legal update! Join John M. Bagyi, Esq., SPHR, SHRM-SCP for a practical look at the employment law developments HR professionals should have on their radar as we head into 2027. The session will cover everything from FMLA, wage and hour compliance, accommodations, and AI to the latest New York employment law changes, emerging litigation trends, and new legislation. Whether you’re reviewing policies, preparing for changes, or simply trying to stay ahead of what’s coming, this session will provide actionable takeaways to help you navigate the evolving HR landscape.

We’re partnering with the Regional Food Bank! Please bring a non-perishable item to donate. 

Sign Up Here!

Holiday Party & Business Meeting - Wednesday, December 9th ~ 5:00 - 7:30 PM - Hilton Garden Inn Clifton Park (30 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, NY)

Get ready to wrap up the year with CRHRA! Our December 9th Holiday Event is the perfect chance to connect with fellow HR professionals, enjoy some holiday cheer, and give back to the community. Bring your business cards, get a fresh professional headshot, enjoy dinner and a cash bar, and help us support Toys for Tots. 

A big thank you to GTM Payroll & HR for sponsoring this special evening. We hope to see you there for a fun night of networking, celebration, and giving back!

Sign Up Here!

Event Recap

Leading with Alignment: Strategies that Retain, Motivate, and Empower - September 16, 2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an engaging evening with April P. Weygand! April shared practical insights on understanding what really drives employee motivation, morale, and engagement, while giving leaders tools to have more meaningful conversations with their teams, show appreciation in ways that truly resonate, and create workplaces where employees feel valued and supported. 

It was a great evening of learning, connecting, and rethinking how we can create workplaces where employees want to stay and grow!

Committee Updates

Certification Committee

This fall is a great time to learn and grow and prepare for your upcoming SHRM Certification exam! CRHRA is proud to be offering a Certification prep Study Group to help get you to your goal. Here are the details:

1. Study group starts October 6th and runs through early December with an option of additional study sessions on an as-needed basis.

2. Meetings will be held every Tuesday night from 5:00PM – 7:00PM 

3. All sessions will be on Zoom

4. Fee is $20 for CRHRA members  

5. Study sessions will be facilitated by an HR Professional with experience in the particular field and exam section offered that week

6. Make-up sessions and final review will be held in December for anyone not able to make every session

Also included is the opportunity to network, partner, study and learn with other HR Colleagues studying for their Certification Exam. Our goal is 100% pass rate so let’s help each other achieve success!

NOTE: We have a special discounted package pricing for the SHRM LMS Certification package for anyone interested in also purchasing access to the Learning System. Please contact Jenn Skellie for more information.

The deadline to sign up for the class is October 2nd. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenn Skellie ([email protected]).

Sign Up Here!

Government Affairs 

How can HR professionals get involved in advocacy while staying within their employer’s policies? CRHRA’s Government Affairs Committee explores this question in its latest article, “Speaking Up: How HR Professionals Can Navigate Advocacy and Employer Policies.” The article offers practical guidance for HR professionals interested in sharing their expertise with lawmakers, including how to understand employer policies, clearly identify who they represent, avoid potential conflicts of interest, and focus on the workplace impact of proposed legislation. It also highlights the value HR professionals bring to the legislative process by providing real-world insight into how laws and regulations can affect employers and employees. 

Interested in getting involved? The CRHRA Government Affairs Committee welcomes members interested in advocacy efforts across New York State.

Local Hr job postings

Did you know that CRHRA administers a job posting service to benefit both our members and businesses searching for an affordable way to reach a large pool of qualified HR professionals? Job openings are posted on our website and on LinkedIn!

Check out our Career Center on the CRHRA website!

Current Openings:

Americas Compensation, Global Recognition & Mobility Program Leader - Momentive

Rebecca's reflections

In this month’s Rebecca’s Reflections, CRHRA President Rebecca Harris-Smith talks about looking ahead to the final quarter of the year, the importance of CRHRA’s 2026 Compensation Survey, and why having current, local compensation data matters. She also reflects on her recent experience at the 2026 Talent & Inclusion Summit and the value of getting into the “right room” with people who bring different experiences, perspectives, and expertise. 

As Rebecca reminds us, sometimes the best way to move forward is simply to listen, learn, and connect with others in our HR community.

Rebecca's Reflections - September 2026

Board member Spotlight

Meet Arianna Greene, Employee Engagement Chair

CRHRA is excited to welcome Arianna Greene as our newest Board Member, serving as Student Engagement Chair!

Arianna is an Officer and Senior Human Resources Business Partner at Arrow Financial Corporation, where she is a trusted advisor known for coaching leaders at every level and building strong, lasting professional relationships. Having volunteered with the Student Engagement Committee since its inception, she brings that same coaching mindset and passion for development to her new leadership role. Arianna looks forward to bridging the gap between Capital Region colleges and the local HR community, guiding future HR Professional onto the path to rewarding careers.

As Arianna steps into this fall semester, she is expanding the committee’s work connecting area students with local HR leaders, faculty, and career services professionals. 

Two ways you can get involved:

• Mentors Wanted: Interested in mentoring students pursuing a career in HR? Contact us at [email protected].

• Campus Speakers Wanted: If your organization is open to hosting a committee member to speak to students on campus this fall or spring, please reach out [email protected].

Join us in welcoming Arianna to the Board

CRHRA Storefront

Don’t forget about our CRHRA storefront! Get some CRHRA swag today.

HR education calendar 

Check out the community HR Education Calendar on the CRHRA website! Here you'll find events not hosted by CRHRA but that might be of interest to our community of HR professionals. 

VolunteerS always welcome

Interested in helping on a project or committee? Wonder what being a Volunteer Leader is all about? Reach out to us today.  Email us at [email protected]

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