"I have been in Human Resources with Public Schools for about eight years. Coming from the private sector without unions, specifically corporate America with significant structure and supports, the transition to the public sector was not one I was prepared for. I was introduced to MASPA my first month in this role and was met with incredible knowledge, instrumental support, valuable friendship, and much needed relief. I found that I had an immediate network to ask questions of and gather insights from. Anyone working with collective bargaining or general human resource functions benefit from being a member of MASPA. Meetings and conferences vary in topic but are always relevant to the role and the times. Being a member has allowed my department to use tools we didn’t know existed or didn’t know how to use which has increased efficiency, productivity and service to our district. Being a member has also increased my own knowledge base and confidence level within my role. I confidently recommend membership to anyone dealing with bargaining or personnel issues, including Superintendents, especially to smaller districts who may not have HR departments."

"Belonging to MASPA is like having a good Doctor or Attorney – it can be either (or both), a necessity and a reassurance in this time of considerable stress, change and complexity.

Because of complexities in the work-world today, the ability to be strategic and "forward thinking" in Human Resources is critical to success in reaching high-end District objectives. The collective knowledge of MASPA members provides a wealth of insight and experience in all aspects of Human Resources management and compliance, and the highly collaborative nature of members lends invaluable support toward reaching those critical objectives.

If you are an HR professional who wants to be successful in understanding trends, identifying best practices and in adding value to your organization, I encourage you to consider joining MASPA. It's a treasure-trove of information and smart, savvy and professional colleagues who help to ensure that we are each making the right human resource decisions and lowering risks in a field of ever-changing rules."

"When I moved from being a high school principal to the position of Human Resources Director, I had reservations about my background and knowledge in human resources. Whether it was school law or best practices, I knew this was an area were I would need help. The best decision I made was to join MASPA. It allowed me to immediately access a fantastic group of people that I could call or email at any time to get advice on issues or concerns that I had. Most importantly, the numerous resources that are available allowed me to grow in my understanding of what an HR Director needs to do.

I would not have been as successful as I was as an HR Director if it had not been for MASPA. I would highly recommend to any superintendent that they encourage their Human Resources Director to join MASPA. Your organization will greatly benefit from this group of outstanding people."

"I have been practicing management and human resources in varying capacities for over 15 years. When I accepted my position in the school district, I found that my knowledge of human resources functions, laws, regulations and best practices was valuable, however school districts and the public sector require a different skill set from the non-profit which I had previously worked. Joining MASPA provided invaluable support from colleagues, who bring to the table collective knowledge of Human Resources and school districts to support all members. Membership provides resources for guidance in best practice to support all members in supporting their districts and the employees in that district. My membership in MASPA has provided me a community of human resources professionals who have provided input and feedback, as well as professional development opportunities regarding issues ranging from compensation, legal issues, and negotiation strategies. I would highly recommend membership to any human resources professional working for a school district in Minnesota to strengthen their network and development in the profession."

"I strongly recommend that Minnesota's school Human Resources professionals engage with MASPA and the State Negotiators organizations. These grups provide incredible support to their members. They provide context and support for addressing HR challenges that face public employers, specifically public schools. Today's school HR leaders play a vital role in helping school districts focus on student achievement and closing Minnesota's opportunity gaps. The collaboration among these leaders makes the K-12 system stronger and provides better service to our students, families, staff, and communities."