On October 9, 2024, the Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago (HRMATT) hosted its first member authors’ forum at the Santiago Lounge in Valpark, Valsayn. Themed “Pages and People,” the event was the perfect celebration of excellence, honouring authors within HRMATT’s membership. Excited attendees were afforded the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and to purchase the books highlighted, directly from the outstanding authors themselves.
The event was hosted by Allsha Long, HRMATT’s Director of Membership, and was a fitting recognition and celebration of two of HRMATT’s member authors – Shane Ram and Charlene Pedro. In her opening remarks, Cavelle Joseph St-Omer, President of HRMATT, stated that the event was the first of many to come and encouraged persons in HRMATT’s community of professionals who wanted to publish their written work to do so. She added that HRMATT was ready to highlight them. She alluded that while in many organisations, there is a plethora of publications focused on HR services and on human capital development for example, that there is an inherent need to document and build cases specific to the Caribbean.
The HRMATT President took the opportunity to announce that The North American Human Resource Management Association (NAHRMA) has approved the official recognition of the Caribbean Institute for Human Resource Management (CAIHRM), of which HRMATT is a part. In closing, she reminded attendees that the Board’s vision has always been to support the dreams of its members.
Kimberly Chan-Boodram, Vice President of HRMATT, provided further information about the author’s forum. It was an idea born two years ago from the vision of the HRMATT President. Through the collaborative efforts of HRMATT’s Membership and Editorial Committees, the event was able to come to fruition and to showcase in the first instance, two member authors – Shane Ram and Charlene Pedro.
Shane Ram, Leadership and Lifestyle Coach, was the first author to be highlighted. His book, “Future Ready Leadership: 8 Must Have Strategies For Tomorrow’s Leaders” contains hundreds of questions and many exercises and guides for individual contemplation. He shared his belief that when one understands human beings, one understands that there is unlimited potential. Future Ready Leadership was born after a presentation to the Accounting Association of Trinidad and Tobago; what commenced as thirty-three slide power-point was transformed into a book that covers a number of strategies for future proofing leaders. He added the world is changing and that the COVID19 pandemic was the start of a decade of disruption. As such professionals need to prepare both themselves and their organisations for what is to eventually come in the workplace. In closing, he reminded attendees that regardless of the environment and circumstances around them, they are no less significant than anyone else in the world.
Following Ram’s presentation, Charlene Pedro took the stage to share insights from her journal publication, “Journey to Me – A Guided Journal To A Better You.” During the COVID19 pandemic, she offered free online sessions focused on goal setting and striving in crisis. In 2020, she commenced her “Mastery of Me” self-leadership programme – for which there have been six successful cohorts since t then. Despite the challenges, she saw her “tribeswomen” meeting their goals. This inspired her to launch this journal, which can be utilised by anyone who may not be able to be a part of her programme. Charlene stated that we must continue to tap into our power to avoid becoming complacent. She added that as adults, we tend to put limits on ourselves which is starkly contrasts with the way we viewed the world as a children. In closing, the outstanding author reminded attendees, “Your superpower is you.”
In closing off the official part of the event’s proceedings, Fana Nelson, HRMATT’s Assistant Secretary/Assistant Treasurer, shared information about HRMATT’s upcoming Legacy Awards on Saturday 9th November, 2024.She outlined the various categories for which awards will be presented. She extended her gratitude to other board members for helming the unfolding of the organization’s vision. She again recognized the night’s highlighted member authors. She praised the valuable efforts of the members of HRMATT’s committees. Fana ended by thanking all the attendees and encouraged them to get their signed copies of the highlighted books and to network after.
See photos of the event here.
