ESHRM

08/26/2026

Having a great time at the 2026 SHRM Kentucky conference! Love our local chapter! And of course it’s always great to network with other SHRM Kentuckians!

Kentucky SHRM State Council

08/21/2026

👏 What an Excellent ESHRM Meeting Today! 👏

Today’s meeting, “Social Security: With You Through Life’s Journey,” was an excellent and very informative session! We appreciate everyone who came out and spent part of their Friday with us.

A huge thank you to Kelli Jackson and Garett Pennington with the Social Security Administration for taking the time to share their knowledge, experience, and valuable information with our ESHRM members. Your insights gave us a better understanding of Social Security and how we can help support our employees throughout their careers and into retirement.

And an extra-special thank you to our lunch sponsors, Julie Miller and Missy Peercy with BluMine! 🥪👏 Your support of ESHRM and our members is greatly appreciated!

Thank you to everyone who helped make today’s meeting a success. We’re already looking forward to seeing everyone at our next ESHRM event!

08/17/2026

🚨 THIS FRIDAY! Don’t Miss ESHRM’s August Meeting! 🚨

📚 Social Security: With You Through Life’s Journey

We’re just days away! Register NOW so you don’t miss out! ⏰

Social Security plays an important role throughout life, yet it can be one of the most misunderstood employee benefits. HR professionals are often the first people employees turn to with questions. Join us THIS FRIDAY for an informative session designed to help you better understand Social Security and confidently support your workforce.

During this session, you’ll learn about:

✅ Common Social Security issues and misconceptions
✅ Key information HR professionals should know about Social Security programs and services
✅ Retirement, disability, spouse, and survivor benefits
✅ Resources and important steps for employees approaching retirement

🎤 Featured Speakers

Kelli Jackson
Acting District Manager, Elizabethtown Social Security Office

Garett Pennington
Operations Supervisor, Elizabethtown Social Security Office

Garett has been with the Social Security Administration for 17 years, serving as a Generalist Claims Specialist, Management Support Specialist, and Operations Supervisor. He has served in Elizabethtown for more than a decade.

Garett is a graduate of the University of Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He and his wife, Liz, reside just outside Elizabethtown with their three boys.

📅 THIS FRIDAY — August 21
🕦 11:30 AM
📍 Elizabethtown Community & Technical College (ECTC)
JSO Building – Room 112

Whether you’re new to HR or a seasoned professional, you’ll leave with practical knowledge you can use to better support your employees through every stage of their careers.

🔥 DON’T WAIT — REGISTER NOW!
You don’t want to miss this one!

👉 https://elizabethtownshrm.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php

We’ll see you THIS FRIDAY! 🙌

08/13/2026

08/04/2026

🚨 Join ESHRM for Our August Meeting! 🚨

📚 Social Security Essentials for HR Professionals
Social Security can be one of the most misunderstood employee benefits, yet HR professionals are often the first people employees turn to with questions. Join us for an informative session designed to help you better understand Social Security and confidently support your workforce.

During this presentation, you'll learn:
✅ Common Social Security issues and misconceptions employers can help address through employee education.
✅ Key information every HR professional should know about Social Security programs and services.
✅ An overview of retirement, disability, spouse, and survivor benefits.
✅ Resources and guidance for employees approaching retirement, including important steps to take before filing for benefits.

🎤 Featured Speaker: Kelli Jackson
Kelli Jackson is the Acting District Manager for the Elizabethtown Social Security Office and will share valuable insights and practical information that every HR professional can use.

📅 Friday, August 21
🕦 11:30 AM
📍 Elizabethtown Community & Technical College (ECTC)
JSO Building – Room 112

Whether you're new to HR or an experienced professional, this session will equip you with knowledge to better support your employees throughout every stage of their careers.

We look forward to seeing you there!

https://elizabethtownshrm.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=42&ts=1785849904

Social Security Essentials for HR Professionals

07/14/2026

When school is out, many children lose access to dependable meals they count on throughout the week. This means families face higher grocery costs and often struggle to keep enough food on hand.

Feeding America reminds us that “easy to prepare foods and snacks” are especially needed to help fill this gap for kids who may be preparing meals on their own or who need quick, reliable options at home.
To support our students and families, ESHRM & Feeding America is teaming up to collect:
• Prepackaged snacks
• Soups

Bring these items to the ESHRM meeting on Friday, July 17th! As a fun bonus, McDonald’s has donated a $25 gift card for a drawing to be held for those who donate items!
Together, we can make sure no child feels the strain of an empty pantry when school is closed.

07/10/2026

📢 Join ESHRM on Friday, July 17, for an informative session on COBRA Continuation Coverage!

Understanding COBRA is essential for every HR professional. Join us as Nicole S. Kaufman, Senior Benefits Advisor with the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), shares practical guidance on COBRA compliance and employee benefit continuation coverage.

Topics include:
✅ COBRA eligibility and qualifying events
✅ Notice and election requirements
✅ Coverage duration and premiums
✅ Coordination with other federal benefit laws

Nicole has been with the U.S. Department of Labor since 2007 and brings years of experience helping employers and employees understand their rights and responsibilities under ERISA.

📅 Friday, July 17, 2026
🕦 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 ECTC – JSO Building, Room 112

Whether you're new to HR or a seasoned professional, this is a great opportunity to strengthen your benefits knowledge while networking with HR professionals from across our region. We hope to see you there!

07/06/2026

📢 Join ESHRM on Friday, July 17, for an informative program on COBRA Continuation Coverage!

Understanding COBRA is a critical part of supporting employees and ensuring your organization remains compliant with federal regulations. ESHRM is excited to welcome Nicole S. Kaufman, Senior Benefits Advisor with the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), for an educational presentation covering the essentials of COBRA continuation coverage.

During this session, you'll learn about:
✔️ Who is entitled to COBRA continuation coverage
✔️ Which health plans are covered by COBRA
✔️ COBRA qualifying events and qualified beneficiaries
✔️ Notice and election procedures
✔️ Duration of COBRA continuation coverage
✔️ Paying for COBRA continuation coverage
✔️ How COBRA coordinates with other federal benefit laws

Nicole has served with the U.S. Department of Labor since 2007, helping participants in private-sector employee benefit plans understand their rights under ERISA, assisting employers with voluntary compliance, and conducting educational outreach throughout the tri-state area. Recently promoted to Senior Benefits Advisor, Nicole also provides training to fellow Benefits Advisors on federal regulations.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hanover College, a Master of Arts in English from the University of Cincinnati, and the Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation through the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) program.

Whether you're new to HR or a seasoned professional, this presentation will provide practical knowledge you can take back to your workplace.

📅 Friday, July 17, 2026
🕦 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Elizabethtown Community & Technical College (ECTC)
JSO Building – Room 112

Join us for an engaging afternoon of learning, networking, and professional development. We look forward to seeing you there!

Benefits - COBRA

07/03/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July from ESHRM! 🇺🇸

This Independence Day, we celebrate the values that unite us—freedom, opportunity, resilience, and community.

We are thankful for the HR professionals who work every day to support employees, strengthen workplaces, and make a positive impact throughout our region.

Wishing you and your families a safe, happy, and meaningful holiday!

05/22/2026

ESHRM – Memorial Day Weekend 2026

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, ESHRM reflects on the men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. 🇺🇸

This weekend is more than the start of summer — it is a time to honor sacrifice, courage, and commitment. As HR professionals, we recognize and respect the values of leadership and service exemplified by our fallen heroes. 🤝

We also hold in our thoughts the families who continue to live with both pride and profound loss.

May we carry the spirit of remembrance into our workplaces and communities throughout the year.

🇺🇸