SHRM of Greater Kansas City upcoming events

The Capacity Gap: Why Today’s Workforce Struggles With Normal Stress And What HR Can Do About It (05/12/2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:15:00 GMT

Human Resource professionals today are being asked to manage emotional capacity more than ever before. Underexposure to stress in the incoming workforce is contributing to lower stress tolerance, which in turn increases what HR is expected to absorb and address.

This session begins by examining the characteristics of individuals who rarely develop stress-related impairment and often excel under pressure, and how those traits can be deliberately cultivated across a workforce. This talk introduces a performance-focused, non-clinical approach to building stress capacity before it becomes an HR issue.

Participants Will Learn:

Why underexposure to difficulty and challenge creates fragility over time
The trainable traits that protect individuals from breakdown under stress
How over-accommodation unintentionally lowers standards and erodes long-term confidence
How to reintroduce expectations without damaging morale
How to create a work culture where rising to the challenge and managing stress well is expected and supported

Participants will leave with a clearer lens for distinguishing between legitimate support needs and capacity-development opportunities, along with practical tools for building a workforce that meets modern pressures with competence rather than avoidance. The workforce isn’t doomed. But there is a capacity gap. But that gap is trainable, and HR is uniquely positioned to lead that shift.

About Our Speaker:

Dr. Jennifer Prohaska is a Police Psychologist who works alongside high-risk tactical teams at both the state and federal level and consults with public safety agencies across multiple states. She specializes in critical incident response and pre-incident performance optimization. In her consulting role, she draws from Sports Psychology and Organizational Psychology to build and sustain high-performance teams operating in high-stakes environments. Her work focuses on how stress changes thinking, behavior, and leadership and how to prepare individuals for optimal performance before those moments occur. In addition to her work in law enforcement, Dr. Prohaska advises large-scale industrial emergency management teams on business continuity leadership, helping organizations coordinate effectively and think clearly during high-consequence events. She is the founder of Tactical Longevity, a pre-incident anti-fragility training program designed to prepare professionals to withstand the stress of demanding roles and maintain performance over time.

Agenda:

11:15 - 11:30 am - Registration & Networking
11:30 am - Noon - Buffet Lunch
Noon - 1:00 pm - Program

This session has been pre-approved for 1.0 hour of SHRM recertification credit. This program has also been pre-approved for 1.0 hours of general credit toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through the HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).

A special THANK YOU to our sponsor:

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received within five business days of the event will be refunded. Late cancellations will not be refunded after food/beverage guarantees have been placed.

COFFEE CHAT (Members Only): Talent Mobility with Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada and the Consulate General of Canada in Chicago (05/20/2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

SHRM Greater Kansas City, The Consulate General of Canada in Chicago and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invite you to a Talent Mobility Coffee Chat. This exclusive discussion will delve into the intricacies of the integrated North American labor market and international talent mobility. Join us for an insightful discussion on how to optimize global talent strategies.

This program is for US Midwest HR business leaders interested in opportunities to build the best global talent strategies. In a closed-door discussion you will hear firsthand from Canadian immigration officers as they share their expertise on international talent mobility planning. Connect with Canadian officials to understand no-cost services available for establishing or expanding your Canadian teams and operations.

Key Highlights:

Empowering HR and Global Mobility Leaders: This program is designed to give you valuable insights and specific tools to create resilient global talent strategies.
Insights from Experts: During this closed-door discussion, you’ll have the opportunity to hear directly from Canadian immigration officers. Learn about best practices, risk reduction, and how to future-proof your talent mobility programs.

Connect with Canadian Officials: Engage with Canadian officials to explore no-cost services available for establishing or expanding Canadian teams and operations.

This event is free for SHRM-KC members.

38th Annual Conference of the Heartland Labor and Employment Institute (05/28/2026)

Thu, 28 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Join us for the 38th Annual Conference of the Heartland Labor and Employment Institute on Thursday, May 28th at the Overland Park Convention Center. This event is jointly co-sponsored by UMKC School of Law Continuing Education, SHRM of Greater Kansas City, and SHRM of Johnson County.

SHRM-KC members receive a discount to attend!

For more information visit https://www.heartlandlaborconference.org/

Hot Topics in Employment Law Webinar (06/17/2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Sponsored and presented by Polsinelli PC, these bi-monthly webinars provide timely insights to help employers and HR professionals stay ahead of evolving workplace regulations and compliance requirements.

This webinar is FREE for SHRM-KC members, $50 for non-members/guests.

*Zoom link will be provided in confirmation email.

SHRM-KC Book Club - Members Only (07/02/2026)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Calling All Book-Loving HR Pros!

Mark your calendars for July 2nd — our Quarterly Book Club is meeting and you don't want to miss out!

This quarter we are reading Atomic Habits by James Clear.

We will gather from 5:30 - 7:00 pm to discuss at Cinder Block Brewery.

Whether you’ve read every page or just a few, come join the conversation, connect with your peers, and get inspired!

️ RSVP is required — secure your spot today.

Not a member? Join today!

What to Do When Engaging Outside Counsel (07/14/2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:15:00 GMT

A workplace complaint reaches your desk. The allegations are serious, the individuals involved are senior leaders, and the organizational risk is real. Should the matter be handled internally—or is it time to engage outside counsel?

This session provides clear guidance for making that decision. Participants will learn when to retain an external attorney investigator, how to establish appropriate boundaries to preserve investigative integrity, and how to avoid common missteps that can escalate workplace issues into costly litigation. Attendees will leave with a practical, decision-making framework to help ensure the right approach is taken—before urgency limits available options.

About Our Speaker:

Dr. Dwayne Smith is a recognized authority in workplace investigation law and a nationally respected speaker and consultant. He is the founder of Workplace Law Solutions, where his practice focuses on workplace investigations, conflict resolution, organizational consulting, and collegiate athlete representation. Dr. Smith is also the host of Shifting the Power Balance, a podcast that examines real-world workplace conflict scenarios and provides practical guidance to help organizations resolve issues proactively and mitigate legal risk. In addition, Dr. Smith serves as an adjunct professor at Saint Louis University’s School of Education, where he teaches Advanced School Law. He is licensed to practice law in both Missouri and Kansas. Dr. Smith has conducted more than 100 internal investigations for Liberty Public Schools, and through Workplace Law Solutions PC, he conducts investigations for both public‑ and private‑sector employers. He also delivers training programs for business owners, executives, and organizational leaders focused on legal compliance, risk management, and building productive, respectful workplaces. Outside of his professional work, Dr. Smith enjoys spending time with his family in Missouri, playing pickleball, and attending live music events.

Agenda:

11:15 - 11:30 am - Registration & Networking
11:30 am - Noon - Buffet Lunch
Noon - 1:00 pm - Program

This session has been submitted for 1.0 hour of SHRM recertification credit. This program has also been submitted for 1.0 hours of general credit toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through the HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received within five business days of the event will be refunded. Late cancellations will not be refunded after food/beverage guarantees have been placed.

HR Networking Happy Hour (07/16/2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Join our local HR organizations, EPNKC, SHRM of Johnson County, and SHRM of Kansas City, are coming together for a unique networking experience! All organization members are invited to join in the fun.

Hot Topics in Employment Law Webinar (08/19/2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This webinar is FREE for SHRM-KC members, $50 for non-members/guests.

*Zoom link will be provided in confirmation email.

Making Sense of the Employment Law Landscape (09/08/2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:15:00 GMT

Every year presents HR teams with new challenges and opportunities, driven by changes in the law and evolving workplace trends—and 2026 is no exception. This session will unpack the latest federal and state trends affecting employers across the greater Kansas City region, including new mandates, guidelines, and laws that are impacting everything from hiring and pay practices to workplace policies and daily HR operations. We’ll also explore emerging issues that are gaining national attention, from shifting enforcement priorities to evolving expectations around the use of technology in the workplace. As the landscape continues to change, this session will provide HR professionals with a forward‑looking perspective on the developments most likely to shape the months ahead.

Presented by Berkowitz Oliver, LLP. Berkowitz Oliver is a litigation boutique founded in 1997, comprising of approximately 30 experienced litigators, many with backgrounds in large law firms and judicial clerkships. Based in Kansas City, the firm represents clients across the Midwest and throughout the United States. As accomplished trial lawyers, the firm helps clients minimize litigation risks through counseling in areas such as workplace policies, employee discipline and discharge, reductions-in-force, severance agreements, noncompete agreements, and compliance with federal laws, including FMLA, Title VII, FLSA, and the ADA, as well as state and local employment laws. Berkowitz Oliver’s reputation for excellence in and out of the courtroom makes the firm a trusted partner in navigating today’s legal challenges.

Agenda:

11:15 - 11:30 am - Registration & Networking
11:30 am - Noon - Buffet Lunch
Noon - 1:00 pm - Program

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received within five business days of the event will be refunded. Late cancellations will not be refunded after food/beverage guarantees have been placed.

Hot Topics in Employment Law Webinar (10/21/2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This webinar is FREE for SHRM-KC members, $50 for non-members/guests.

*Zoom link will be provided in confirmation email.

Hot Topics in Employment Law Webinar (12/09/2026)

Wed, 09 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

This webinar is FREE for SHRM-KC members, $50 for non-members/guests.

*Zoom link will be provided in confirmation email.