Flint Hills SHRM upcoming events

Program: Grief in the Workplace: Beyond "I AM SORRY" (04/15/2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:30:00 GMT

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

Topic: Grief in the Workplace: Beyond "I AM SORRY"

In this session, Slater challenges organizations to stop avoiding grief and start leading with compassion. Through storytelling, research-backed strategies, and actionable tools, participants will learn how to recognize grief triggers, support employees effectively, and build a culture that allows people to show up as their full selves. Attendees will leave with practical, sustainable approaches for prioritizing human well-being while strengthening organizational culture. If we don’t talk about grief in the workplace, who will? Thank you for joining the conversation. Today, you’re helping your organization take a meaningful step toward compassionate, people-first leadership.

Learning Objectives:

● Preparation: Equip leaders with the tools to respond to grief effectively before it happens.

● Permission: Create a workplace where grief is acknowledged without stigma or fear.

● Presence: Showing up matters… Ensure consistent, compassionate support beyond the initial loss.

Speaker: Slater Heglin

Slater Heglin is a leadership speaker, business leader, nonprofit founder, and business owner. As the Assistant Vice President - Customer Service, Marketing, and Training at Grant County Bank in Ulysses, Kansas, Slater combines his expertise in business leadership with his experience in leading with compassion. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education with a Concentration in Talent Development and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, along with Certificates in Business Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing, and Organizational Leadership, all of which he obtained from Fort Hays State University. Slater is also a Certified Grief Coach. In addition to his role at Grant County Bank, Slater is the Founder and President of Keep Life Jumping 4 Kay, Inc., a nonprofit organization supporting cancer warriors in western Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle. He also owns SignGypsies – SWKS, a custom yard greeting company, serving nine zip codes in Southwest Kansas. Slater speaks regularly on leadership, grief, and branding, with past engagements including Kansas Electric Cooperatives, the O’Brate Foundation, and regional schools and organizations. He created and leads a grief-focused Bible study curriculum. Slater advocates for greater grief-awareness in the workplace, challenging organizations to respond to grieving employees with empathy and compassion. In addition to his business and nonprofit endeavors, Slater serves on the Grant County Community Foundation Board of Directors, is the Co-Leader of the Leadership Project for Grant County 4-H, and is the College Relations & Emerging Professionals Director for the Kansas Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) State Council.

K-State SHRM Student Chapter Meeting--Chapter Leadership Elections (04/21/2026)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:15:00 GMT

Join us in supporting the next generation of HR professionals at the K-State SHRM Student Chapter events! As the sponsor chapter, Flint Hills SHRM is proud to encourage our members to attend their events designed to foster connections between HR students and professionals in the field.

This is a great opportunity to:

Share your HR journey and insights with students
Build relationships with emerging talent
Support the development of future HR leaders
Strengthen the bridge between academic and professional HR communities

Whether you're a seasoned HR professional or new to the field, your presence makes a difference. Let’s show up, support, and inspire!

KSU SHRM WEBSITE

https://www.instagram.com/ksu.shrm/

HR Happy Hour - Disciplinary action - documentation and conversation w/ employee (05/12/2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:30:00 GMT

HR Happy Hour

Join your fellow HR professionals for an evening of networking, conversation, and camaraderie at Kite's Bar & Grill on Tuesday, May 12th, at 5:30 PM! Look for the Flint Hills SHRM sign and connect with colleagues in a relaxed, social setting.

HR Topic: Disciplinary action - documentation and conversation w/ employee

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: Leading with Purpose (05/20/2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 16:30:00 GMT

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

Topic: Leading with Purpose

In a labor market defined by high turnover and disengagement, a growing body of research points to one underlying driver: a lack of purpose alignment at work. This session explores current workforce data on why employees leave, the true cost of turnover, and the organizational impact of disengagement.

Attendees will learn about the individual and organizational benefits of purpose, including improved well-being, higher life and job satisfaction, increased engagement, and reduced turnover intention. Using Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle framework, the session provides a practical introduction to identifying one’s WHY and examines how purpose-driven leadership functions as a compass for decision-making, values alignment, trust, psychological safety, and sustainable leadership.

The session connects research to practice, demonstrating how understanding and activating purpose can deliver meaningful benefits for both employees and organizations.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the organizational impact of purpose alignment on engagement, well-being, and retention using current workforce research.

2. Apply the Golden Circle framework to clarify purpose and inform leadership and people practices.

3. Leverage WHY-focused leadership to support alignment, trust, and intentional decision-making.

Speaker: Dr. Ashley Thomas

Dr. Ashley Thomas is a leadership consultant and executive coach who works with both senior leaders and individuals to clarify purpose, strengthen leadership effectiveness, and drive meaningful, sustainable impact. Her work bridges organizational leadership and personal development, helping clients align who they are with how they lead and live.

She holds a Ph.D. focused on the transformative power of purpose in life and is one of only 50 people worldwide certified as a WHY Coach through Simon Sinek. In addition, Ashley is one of just 10 instructors globally for Simon Sinek’s WHY School, where she teaches and certifies individuals to become WHY Coaches.

Grounded in rigorous research and applied through practical, results-oriented frameworks, Ashley is known for creating high-trust, high-impact environments where executives and individuals gain clarity, sharpen decision-making, and translate insight into disciplined action. She partners with clients navigating complexity, growth, and transition, supporting life and leadership that is intentional, authentic, and effective.

HR Happy Hour - Rebuilding culture after turnover or leadership changes (06/09/2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:30:00 GMT

HR Happy Hour

Join your fellow HR professionals for an evening of networking, conversation, and camaraderie at Aggieville Brewing Company on Tuesday, June 9th, at 5:30 PM! Look for the Flint Hills SHRM sign and connect with colleagues in a relaxed, social setting.

HR Topic: Rebuilding culture after turnover or leadership changes

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 (06/17/2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:30:00 GMT

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

HR Happy Hour - Balancing accountability with empathy in management (07/14/2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:30:00 GMT

HR Happy Hour

Join your fellow HR professionals for an evening of networking, conversation, and camaraderie at Tallgrass Brewing Tap House on Tuesday, July 14th, at 5:30 PM! Look for the Flint Hills SHRM sign and connect with colleagues in a relaxed, social setting.

HR Topic: Balancing accountability with empathy in management

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: HR Trends/Interviewing & Onboarding/360 Assessments (07/15/2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:30:00 GMT

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

Topic: HR Trends/Interviewing & Onboarding/360 Assessments

This training provides an overview of current HR trends and compliance updates, along with practical strategies for improving interviewing and onboarding. Using the Recruit, Retain, Release framework, participants will learn how to write stronger job postings, apply interviewing best practices, and rethink job requirements to attract and retain top talent. The session also introduces pre-assessment tools - including 360 feedback, personality assessments, and goal setting - to support employee development and organizational effectiveness.

Learning Objectives:

1.HR trends and compliance updates

2. Interviewing and onboarding

Recruit, Retain, Release
How to Write Better Job Posts o
Interviewing Do's and Don'ts
Rethinking Job Requirements

3. Pre-assessments: 360 feedback, personality tools, goal setting.

Speaker: Kristina Dietrick, HR Partners, LLC

Kristina Dietrick, PHR, SHRM-CP, President and Owner. Kristina has over thirty (30) years of experience in Human Resources, and prior to acquiring HR Partners, she held several executive-level Human Resources positions in the agricultural, behavioral health and health care industries. At HR Partners, Kristina provides Human Resources support and solutions to a variety of businesses, professions, organizations and municipalities throughout the Midwest and is often invited to address large corporate conventions on Human Resources issues throughout the United States. Kristina received her Bachelor of Arts from Washburn University and holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation. Kristina also holds the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRMCP) designation.

HR Happy Hour -Encouraging supervisor accountability in HR responsibilities (08/11/2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 22:30:00 GMT

HR Happy Hour

Join your fellow HR professionals for an evening of networking, conversation, and camaraderie at Powercat Sports Grill on Tuesday, August 11th, at 5:30 PM! Look for the Flint Hills SHRM sign and connect with colleagues in a relaxed, social setting.

HR Topic: Encouraging supervisor accountability in HR responsibilities

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: 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

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

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

We look forward to seeing you there!

Program (09/23/2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

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

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 Cox Bros. BBQ 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.