Flint Hills SHRM upcoming events

Program: Legislative Update (08/19/2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Join Flint Hills SHRM for our monthly chapter meeting and program.

Topic: Legislative Update

Speaker: Natalie Bright

Natalie Bright has 29+ years of experience lobbying on behalf of Kansas business and state associations at the state and federal levels. Her expertise is in lobbying business issues, specifically in the areas of taxation, human resources, insurance, judicial reform and transportation.

Bright has a joint degree in business administration and political science from the University of California-Riverside. She received her law degree from Washburn School of Law in 1998 and began lobbying for the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the 1998 Legislative Session. In 1999, Bright left the Chamber to work as a contract lobbyist. In 2008, Bright joined her law school classmate, Marlee Carpenter, and opened her current firm.

Bright is active in a variety of statewide business coalitions and has been part of several reform efforts including recent workers’ compensation, immigration, unemployment compensation and health care reform efforts. During her career, she has worked on several key pieces of legislation including the 2012 Workers Compensation Reforms, which passed unanimously and the most recent Kansas Unemployment Insurance Compensation Reforms. Bright is licensed to practice law in state of Kansas and resides in Shawnee, Kan. with her husband Kevin and four children.

Sponsored by

HR Happy Hour -Creative benefits to attract and retain employees (09/08/2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:30:00 GMT

HR Happy Hour

Join your fellow HR professionals for an evening of networking, conversation, and camaraderie at Houlihan's on Tuesday, September 8th, at 5:30 PM! Look for the Flint Hills SHRM sign and connect with colleagues in a relaxed, social setting.

HR Topic: Creative benefits to attract and retain employees

Feeling nervous about not knowing anyone? Don’t worry—you will by the end of the night!

RSVP Appreciated: Help us plan by letting us know you're coming!

RSVP HERE

What is HR Happy Hour?
HR Happy Hour is an informal social event for Flint Hills SHRM members and guests, typically held on the second Tuesday of each month at various Manhattan-area establishments.

For inquiries, contact:
Cindy Diederich, SHRM Foundation Director (785) 532-7338.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Program: Building a Neurodiversity Affirming Workplace (09/23/2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Join Flint Hills SHRM for our monthly chapter meeting and program.

***Virtual Meeting***

Topic: Building a Neurodiversity Affirming Workplace

This session will equip HR professionals with the knowledge and tools to create workplaces where neurodivergent employees feel valued, supported, and empowered. Participants will begin by developing a foundational understanding of neurodiversity and the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodivergent individuals bring to the workplace. The presentation will then highlight current barriers in hiring, communication, and workplace culture that can unintentionally exclude or disadvantage neurodivergent employees. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, attendees will explore inclusive practices that promote equity and belonging, such as accessible recruitment processes, flexible accommodations, and supportive communication approaches. Finally, the session will emphasize the broader organizational impact of neurodiversity-affirming practices, including enhanced employee well-being, improved retention, and increased innovation. By the end of the session, participants will be prepared to champion policies and practices that strengthen both workplace culture and organizational success.

Learning Objectives:

Understand Neurodiversity: Define neurodiversity to build awareness of what this encompasses (ADHD, dyslexia, autism, etc…)
Explore Current Barriers: Outline current barriers organizations and employees face and reduce misconceptions in the workplace
Promote Inclusive Practices: Identify actionable HR strategies (e.g. accessible recruitment process, flexible work accommodations, communication supports
Strengthen Organizational Impact: Demonstrate how creating a neurodiversity-affirming workplace can reduce turnover, enhance employee wellbeing, and drives innovation and organizational performance.

Speaker: Kelsey Kaestner, Club CAN-Community Appreciating Neurodiversity Inc

Kelsey Kaestner is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over 12 years of experience supporting individuals across a wide range of clinical and educational settings. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Missouri State University and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Rockhurst University. Throughout her career, Kelsey has discovered a deep passion for serving neurodivergent individuals both in schools and within the broader community. She strives to empower individuals through meaningful communication, inclusive practices, and authentic connection. In 2023, Kelsey founded Club CAN—Community Appreciating Neurodiversity Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy, expanding socialization opportunities, and fostering a true sense of belonging for neurodivergent individuals within the community.

Program Sponsor

Registered Apprenticeships & The Kansas HR Registered Apprenticeship Program (KS HR RAP) (10/13/2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Join Flint Hills SHRM and Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce in a discussion about expanding your talent pipeline with apprenticeship opportunities

Topic: Registered Apprenticeships & The Kansas HR Registered Apprenticeship Program (KS HR RAP)

While apprenticeship is a centuries old, tried-and-true way to learn a trade, it’s a relatively new way for business and management professionals to earn the credentials they need to launch their career. The U.S. Department of Labor’s apprenticeship program combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare workers for skilled careers while helping employers build a highly-skilled workforce. This “learn-while-you-earn” model combines on-the-job training with educational requirements, leading to higher productivity, increased retention, and a diversified talent pool.

Learning Objectives:

Overview of Registered Apprenticeships & KS HR RAP
Benefits for Apprenticeships
Benefits for Workers and Employers
Apprenticeship Resources

Speaker: Michelle Ruder, KS HR RAP Coordinator

Program Cohost: Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce

HR Happy Hour -Recognizing and preventing employee burnout (10/13/2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

HR Happy Hour

Join your fellow HR professionals for an evening of networking, conversation, and camaraderie at Rockin' K's on Tuesday, October 13th, at 5:30 PM! Look for the Flint Hills SHRM sign and connect with colleagues in a relaxed, social setting.

HR Topic: Recognizing and preventing employee burnout

Feeling nervous about not knowing anyone? Don’t worry—you will by the end of the night!

RSVP Appreciated: Help us plan by letting us know you're coming!

RSVP HERE

For inquiries, contact:
Cindy Diederich, SHRM Foundation Director (785) 532-7338.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Annual Seminar (10/21/2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

HR Happy Hour -Turning positivity into practice: Making affirmations part of work life (11/10/2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

HR Happy Hour

Join your fellow HR professionals for an evening of networking, conversation, and camaraderie at Kite's Bar & Grill on Tuesday, November 10th, at 5:30 PM! Look for the Flint Hills SHRM sign and connect with colleagues in a relaxed, social setting.

HR Topic: Turning positivity into practice: Making affirmations part of work life

Feeling nervous about not knowing anyone? Don’t worry—you will by the end of the night!

RSVP Appreciated: Help us plan by letting us know you're coming!

RSVP HERE

For inquiries, contact:
Cindy Diederich, SHRM Foundation Director (785) 532-7338.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Program: Workplace Investigations (11/18/2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Join Flint Hills SHRM for our monthly chapter meeting and program.

Topic: Workplace Investigations

Speaker: Erin Good, Senior Associate General Counsel

Erin Good joined the Office of General Counsel in 2018. She earned her J.D. from Washburn University, where she graduated with Dean's Honors and served as Managing Editor of the Washburn Law Journal. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Kansas. Before joining the legal team at K-State, Erin spent five years in private practice with a litigation firm in Wichita. She also served as a research attorney for the Honorable Patrick McAnany with the Kansas Court of Appeals.

Sponsored By

Program: 5 Generations in the Workplace: What You Need to Know! (12/16/2026)

Wed, 16 Dec 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Join Flint Hills SHRM for our monthly chapter meeting and program.

5 Generations in the Workplace: What You Need to Know!

Understanding the dynamics of a multigenerational workforce is crucial in today's professional landscape. This session delves into the characteristics, preferences, and values of five distinct generations, providing insight into how to cultivate collaboration and leverage diverse strengths.

Strategies for overcoming generational barriers and fostering inclusivity.
Techniques for tailoring communication to engage all age groups effectively.
Best practices for leveraging generational strengths to enhance team performance.

Create a learning culture that appeals to today's workforce! Be proactive to increase your bench strength, improve retention, & have succession planning!

Speaker: Sandra Wiley

Sandra Wiley is an energetic leader with over 30 years of experience in the accounting profession, including her role as President and Senior Consultant at Boomer Consulting. With a passion for helping current and future leaders grow, adapt, and thrive, she has been recognized by Accounting Today as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. This recognition stems from her expertise in leadership, management, collaboration, culture building, talent development and training.

Sandra specializes in Strategic Team Building, Collaboration, Teaching, Planning and Visioning, making her a sought-after resource among the most prestigious firms in the country. She is a founding member of the CPA Consultant’s Alliance and is certified as a Kolbe trainer and a Maxwell Leadership Consultant.

As a dynamic speaker at national conferences, Sandra empowers audiences with her energetic delivery, innovative ideas, and a touch of humor. She is also a prolific author, contributing insightful articles to various online and print publications, including Accounting Today, Accounting Web, ADP Thrive, the Journal of Accountancy’s Career Insider and Intuit’s Firm of the Future.

Sandra has authored The Journey Ahead: A New Roadmap to Collaboration In Your Firm, and in partnership with the AICPA, she co-wrote The Engaged Employee: 10 Initiatives for Successful Firms.