Written by Jason Spencer, April 2000
The history of Human Resources Professionals Association of Northwestern Ontario is one that is very storied and interesting. The Association as it is today, has not changed greatly in the area of direction and purpose. The Association has the same common goals now as it did in its first years of existence. However, it has expanded to meet the changing needs of the members and the needs of the Human Resources profession. The Association has continually grown in size and grown in its influence on the profession as a whole.
The Association was first formed in the early 1950’s, and was named "The Lakehead Guidance and Personnel Association". The membership consisted of Guidance Teachers from the Secondary School System along with Personnel and Industrial Relations Practitioners.
In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, many Personnel and Industrial Relations Practitioners in the Thunder Bay and surrounding area discussed the idea of an association that was exclusive to the Personnel field. It wasn’t until 1972 that the Association evolved to become exclusive to Human Resources Practitioners and Professionals. The Association was renamed the Personnel Association of Northwestern Ontario (PANO). The inaugural meeting of the new association was held on January 14, 1972 in the Faculty Lounge at Confederation College. Twelve professionals from around the city and surrounding area attended the first meeting, however the association had over twenty-five members signed by this time. Those members in attendance at the inaugural PANO meeting voted on the Executive Board. The first ever-executive board of PANO was as follows;
- President - Cliff Roach (Canadian Car)
- 1st Vice President - Richard Wilson (City of Thunder Bay)
- 2nd Vice President - John Chipman (Lakehead University)
- Secretary-Tresaurer - Lorne Firman (Lakehead University)
- Directors - Ken Eoll (Steep Rock Iron Mines), G. Bicknell (Great Lakes Paper Co), Guy Robinson (McKellar General Hospital)
The first item discussed after the election of officers, was the adoption of a Constitution. It had been drafted earlier by the same Committee who had been working to institute the Personnel Association. It was moved by Dr. Chris Jecchinis and seconded by Mike O’Brien that the constitution be accepted as proposed. The motion carried and the first Constitution of the Personnel Association of Northwestern Ontario was adopted.
The next area of discussion was the issue of Membership. Mike O’Brien was elected Membership chairman, and would work with Tom Rainey and Dr. Chris Jecchinis on a Membership Committee. This committee was the only committee struck during the first meeting. Committees dealing in Programs and Public Relations were formed later that first year.
The last item on the agenda was the date and time of future meetings. It was decided that the association should meet once a month. It was also decided to hold these meetings every third Friday of each month.
The idea of possibly joining the Canadian Federation of Personnel Associations was also brought forth. Most believed that this was a good idea because it gave the association more exposure and contacts, and it also gave members a subscription to the Canadian Personnel and Industrial Relations Journal published by the Canadian Federation. However, even though most believed this to be a good idea, no decision regarding membership to the Federation was reached. The meeting was then adjourned and was followed by a social period.
The association remained unchanged for nearly 8 years, operating and conducting itself in the same manner. In early 1979, Personnel Associations from around Ontario began to discuss the notion of a province wide association. A Steering Committee was struck to discuss and possibly develop a province wide association. Merrick Bryson, who was President of PANO at that time, represented our association on the Steering Committee. The committee developed a structure for the province wide association to follow. In September of 1979, PANO joined 19 other member associations to form the Personnel Association of Ontario (PAO). The Personnel Association of Northwestern Ontario was now a part of a larger and more powerful body.
During the 1980’s, the association began working closely with many other industry leaders and government officials. The local associations, as well as the provincial association have always worked closely with government officials at all levels. The association gives its input and insight into proposed bills and laws that may affect the Human Resources field.
The 1990’s brought rapid and momentous changes to the Northwestern Ontario chapter and every association affiliated with the provincial body. In early June 1990, the association changed its name to mirror the changes that were occurring at the provincial level. The provincial association had changed its name from the Personnel Association of Ontario to the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario (HRPAO). Locally, our association officially became known as the Human Resources Professionals of Northwestern Ontario (HRPANO). Also in June 1990, the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario Act was passed in legislation, thus allowing for the "Certified Human Resources Professionals" (CHRP) Designation to be administered by the provincial association. The CHRP designation was the first certified Human Resources Designation in North America. These changes were made to reflect the new and changing field of the Human Resources Professional. The field had become more diversified and professional from that of strictly personnel functions and changes in the association were made to reflect these changes in the profession.
During the 1980’s, PANO began to work more with the different organizations and companies in the city and surrounding area. One of the associations’ major projects was to attract new members into the association. The association also began to assert its existence more into the community and post-secondary schools. In 1983, PANO decided to sponsor a bursary to each Confederation College and Lakehead University. This bursary was and still is, presented to a student majoring in the personnel field. A two-year membership into the association is presented to a deserving student in the field of Human Resources/Industrial Relations. The association also ran a program in conjunction with the College and University called the "Buddy Program". This program allowed students to use an experienced professional for assistance and as a resource during the school year. This program also led to many students joining the association and making several contacts in the field. The program was a success for a number of years, until students lost interest in the program. Still, today HRPANO works closely with the educational institutes in ensuring that the Human Resources and Industrial Relations courses meet the guidelines of HRPAO so that students may qualify for the Provincial Certificate in Human Resources Management (CHRM). The CHRM is the first step needed to achieve the Certified Human Resources Professional Designation (CHRP).
The Association is more than merely a gathering of professionals in Human Resources to talk about Human Resources matters and labour arbitration cases. The Association hosts some great parties during the year, including the Christmas social and the Summer Golf Tournament. These two functions are highlighted on every member’s calendar as soon as the dates and locations are announced. These events offer the membership to get to know one another on a more social level. Aside from the special events thrown by HRPANO, there is also the regular monthly meeting where the membership gathers. The monthly meetings are more formal then those of the special functions. Each month, the membership comes together to dine and listen to guest speakers on a Human Resources related subject. These lunch hour meetings offer a chance for people in a related field to come together in more of a business setting and relate experiences to others at the table. The Association also hosts workshops and seminars throughout the year to continuously educate their membership.
The purpose and the goals of the association have always been the same. The Northwestern Ontario Association is committed to educating its members on every aspect of the continuously changing field of Human Resources. The Association is ever changing to meet the needs of its members, the industry and the business world. Our chapter has grown from being 30 original members to over 100 local members, from distributing information on meeting cards to being the first provincial affiliate with a web-site and e-mail capability. The Association continues to work for the good of its membership and the field of Human Resources. The Human Resources Professionals Association of Northwestern Ontario has always been an organization of business, but knows how to incorporate a fun atmosphere into the membership. The activities planned throughout the year are meant to bring the membership together and make the profession in Thunder Bay stronger. The Human Resources Professional Association of Northwestern Ontario has always been an organization working for its members and their profession. The Association's future appears to be as stable and interesting as the past has been.