Community Connections
The Astron Solutions family spends some of their free time engaging in community activities. Some are Human Resource related (Society for Human Resource Management and HR/NY), and some are community based (Volunteers of America’s Operation Backpack and Junior Achievement). Here are some quick facts about some programs we are involved in:
Operation Backpack
Overview: Operation Backpack is Volunteers of Americas annual back to-school drive that asks the general public to bring new backpacks to designated Drop Locations throughout the city. Over 70 New York businesses participate by engaging employees in backpack and school supply drives. The result is thousands of new backpacks, which volunteers fill with grade-specific supplies during Sort Week and distribute to kids in time for the start of the school year. Visit their website.
During 2008, Astron Solutions took a group field trip to Operation Backpack’s sorting location during Sort Week. We spent three hours helping stuff and sort backpacks. It was a great opportunity to help give back to the NYC community, and it was a blast!
Stephen Lella Cassandra Carver Francine E. Giocondo
Junior Achievement
Overview: JA (Junior Achievement) Worldwide is a partnership between the business community, educators, and volunteers - all working together to inspire young people to dream big and reach their potential. JA's hands-on, experiential programs teach the key concepts of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to young people all over the world. Visit their website.
In the past, Astron Solutions participated in Groundhog Job Shadow Day. During the event, high school-aged students came to our office to learn what life is like out in the "real world." We all shared information about our jobs and the education necessary to prepare for success.
HR/NY
Overview: HR/NY is the premier professional association for Human Resources professionals living or working in the five boroughs of New York City. As the largest member chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), the largest professional association for HR professionals in the world, HR/NY shares the mission of focusing our efforts to serve the HR professional and advance the HR profession.
Astron Solutions' National Director, Jennifer C. Loftus, and Technology Supervisor Brendan Williams are both active members on the HR/NY Board. Jennifer is the organization's Vice President, Finance & Treasurer and Co-Chair, Certification Committee. Brendan is HR/NY's Assistant Treasurer and an active member of the newsletter committee. Lead Technology Architect John Sazaklis is HR/NY's webmaster. Astron Solutions also works very closely with the Executive Director of HR/NY, Heather Evans, on membership initiatives.
SHRM
Overview: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest professional association devoted to human resource management. SHRM's mission is to serve the needs of HR professionals by providing the most current and comprehensive resources, and to advance the profession by promoting HR's essential, strategic role. Founded in 1948, SHRM represents more than 225,000 individual members in over 125 countries, and has a network of more than 575 affiliated chapters in the United States, as well as offices in China and India.
National Director Jennifer Loftus is a member of SHRM’s Total Rewards Special Expertise Panel. Jennifer is currently serving a three year term. As a panel member, Jennifer participates in SHRM research initiatives, fields press inquiries on total rewards topics, and develops white papers for SHRM publication.
