The HR Collaborative for Local Government (HR Collaborative) is an NDIRF program that aims to strengthen human resource management within North Dakota local governments by providing affordable training and resources to meet the specific needs of local government HR professionals. HR Collaborative membership is free for all North Dakota local government entities. Click on the Join Now button below to become a member!
Established in 2008 through grant funding awarded by the Otto Bremer Foundation, the HR Collaborative has provided human resource management training and resources to more than 800 North Dakota local government HR departments through its biennial conference, virtual workshop series, and HR Reference Guide.
The NDIRF began leading this program in January 2023 with representatives from partnering organizations who continue to play an integral role to the success of the program.
Executive Director: Joanna Drennen
Joanna has over 13 years of experience in organizational communication and holds undergraduate degrees in English and communications and a master’s degree in strategic communication management. For her master’s final capstone research project, Joanna studied the relationship between internal communication and employee engagement, sharing her research and findings in a comprehensive paper.
Throughout her career, Joanna has observed the power internal communication has to foster creativity and collaboration within and across departments, both of which are indicators of strong employee engagement. She is excited and honored to use her communication and employee engagement experiences in service to HR Collaborative and NDIRF members.
Joanna is currently studying for the SHRM-CP exam.
HR Consultant: Nancy Reis
Need human resource management guidance? Send your questions to HRCollab@ndirf.com to connect with HR Consultant Nancy Reis, SHRM-CP. Nancy has led the NDIRF’s HR department for over 30 years and was integral to the creation of the HR Collaborative. She is also a lead contributor to the Human Resource Reference Guide.
Please understand the NDIRF and the HR Collaborative for Local Government are not engaged in the practice of law. The content provided by the HR Consultant should not be construed as legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you have legal questions concerning your situation or the information you have obtained, you should consult with a licensed attorney.
Resources
The Human Resource Reference Guide provides an overview of the human resource management responsibilities your entity may perform. The guide also provides links to helpful resources that can provide further guidance for specific HR actions.
The Human Resource Core Standards and Checklist helps you evaluate your existing HR policies and procedures and identify areas to add or strengthen your internal program.
Technical Assistance Committee
Alisha Adolf, NDACo
Helen Askim, Williams County
Wendy Bent, Morton County
Genny Dienstmann, NDACo
Julie Fornshell, NDRPA
Stacy Geiger, Bismarck Public Schools
Taylor Lassiter, ND School Boards Association
Nancy Reis, NDIRF
Carissa Richter, NDLC
Tanya Wieler, Dakota Dynamics
Kathy Hogan, Consultant
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