2017 Fall Educational Conference

WEDNESDAY, 11/1

6:30-7:30 pm – Early Arrival/Commuter Registration and Cocktail Reception

THURSDAY, 11/2

8:00 am – Conference Registration
8:00-9:00 am – Breakfast Buffet
9:00-11:00 am – Session I
11:00-11:15 am – Break
11:15 am-12:45 pm – Keynote Speaker
12:45-1:45 pm – Lunch Buffet
2:00-4:00 pm – Session II

FRIDAY, 11/3

8:00-9:00 am – Breakfast Buffet
9:15-11:15 am – Session III

Understanding the Budget Process

Presented by Jay Phillips, Office of the New York State Comptroller

This session will explain the municipal budgetary process, the procedures that should be used in preparing budgets, and the resources and tools available to assist with budget development. It will also address the requirements and options for amending budgets and those reports necessary for successfully monitoring municipal budgets during the year.

The presentation covers concepts such as:

• adopting structurally balanced budgets
• avoiding reliance on one-shot revenues (i.e. tax base)
• budgetary account codes
• steps to make budgetary adjustments
• accounting for purchase orders
• regularly monitoring of operations

Accounting entries are reviewed throughout the presentation.

This session is appropriate for those new to budgeting, as well as seasoned finance officers who could benefit from a refresher that discusses current requirements and resources.

Employee Handbooks, Part I: The Case for Sound Policy Development

Presented by Ronni Travers, Public Sector HR Consultants LLC

There are many positive reasons why your municipality should have an employee handbook. An employee handbook is a valuable communications tool that sets forth the organization’s policies, procedures, practices, and benefits to employees. Having clearly stated policies and procedures will help supervisors and department heads maintain consistency in implementing and enforcing policies.

For employees, written policies and procedures help:

• reduce any misunderstandings employees might have about what is expected of them
• orient new employees to the organization
• long-term employees, who use the employee handbook is a resource guide for when they have questions or need further information.

Employee handbooks are important not only for what they say but also for what they don’t say. Because a poorly written employee handbook can create liability for an employer, it is imperative to have a good understanding sound policy development.

This seminar will explore the case for written policies, and will focus on what should and should not be included in a well-written employee handbook.

This course has been approved for 2 Specified Credit Hours: HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®).

The 2017 Workers’ Compensation Reforms

Presented by Lev Ginsburg, Business Council of New York State

In April of this year, the State legislature approved a wide-range of reforms to the New York workers’ compensation system that were seen as a compromise
among the needs of injured workers, employers, and carriers. The timetable set for implementation was a quick one, and as each reform is acted upon, it is met with both praise and skepticism.

In this session, attendees will receive an education in the new reforms and their potential impacts. Topics will include:

• Breakdown of the reform, and discussion of the potential saving for municipalities
• Timeline for implementation
• Comparison of the 2007 and 2017 reforms, in regards to rate increases and causes
• Incorporation of the reforms into the FY2017-18 budget
• Regulations and resources

After the presentation, there will be plenty of time for questions and answers, as well as round-the-room discussion.

Employee Handbooks, Part II

Presented by Ronni Travers, Public Sector HR Consultants LLC

This session will delve deeper into two employee policy current issues: social media and workplace investigations.

Having a policy on social media is important because it outlines:

• Who has the right to speak on behalf of the municipality
• Use of municipal logos and seals
• Guidelines for sending work-related electronic messages
• Prohibited uses of municipal computer systems

And  conducting  workplace investigations brings up a number of questions if you don’t have a policy in place:

• What protections does an employee have if questioned during an investigation?
• If employees withhold or falsify information during an investigation, are they subject to misconduct charges?

Attendees will learn effective procedures for conducting an investigation, including harassment complaints, and the proper methods of documentation.

This course has been approved for 2 Specified Credit Hours: HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®).

Payroll Trends Within a Non-Traditional Workforce Landscape

Presented by Terri Gallagher, Gallagher and Consultants

In the private sector, the new normal of the workforce is part-time, non-union, non-traditional labor: consultants, contractors, and gig workers. Any municipal official that thinks that type of employment isn’t coming to the public sector is fooling themselves. The municipalities that prepare for this eventuality will be the ones who succeed in the new landscape.

The session will explore:

• Changes in the landscape – the new workforce mix
• The technological evolution in talent acquisition
• Innovate ways to optimize staffing needs
• Worker friendly and cost effective payroll solutions
• Systems to manager contingent worker programs
• Tax, regulatory, and compliance responsibilities and liabilities in this new landscape

Attendees will leave the session knowing what is coming, and able to begin the process of integrating nontraditional labor into the municipal workforce.

This course has been approved for 2 Specified Credit Hours: HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®).

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel is conveniently located just a few blocks east of downtown Schenectady and offers an array of activities to occupy your free time. On-site and open for dinner is Sammy’s Burger and Bistro with an excellent build-your-own-burger menu. The hotel also offers a salt water pool, a fitness center, and an outdoor fire pit for after-dinner socializing.

This year we are offering a Dine Around, with some of the best food and beverages Schenectady has to offer, discounted only for conference attendees.

And entertainment options abound.

Schenectady is home to Proctors Theatre, the crown jewel of the downtown area. With dozens of national touring Broadway shows, as well as other world-class entertainment, there is something at this vaudeville style theatre for everyone. On November 2, the national tour of Fun Home comes to Proctors. Fun Home was the winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical.

Just 1/2 mile from the DoubleTree is Union College, the oldest non-denominational institute of higher learning in New York, and the second-oldest in the United States, chartered in 1795. Union boasts many famous alumni, including two presidents: Chester A. Arthur, and Jimmy Carter. On November 2 & 3, Union’s Mandeville Gallery will host an exhibition from artist Laini Nemett, who works with cardboard models, collage, and large scale oil paintings to create architectural environments that explore the idea of “home.”

Located on the same block as Proctors is Bow Tie Cinemas, one of the newest attractions to downtown. Showing the latest releases on digital projection
screens, you can unwind with a glass of wine in one of their stadium seating auditoriums. And just 1.5 miles down the road is the family-run Scotia Cinema. Open since 1929, the Scotia Cinema has been extensively renovated while still maintaining old-fashioned movie house charm. The movies are second-run, but admission is only $5, and the inexpensive concession selection can’t be beat.

Just a short drive from the hotel is the Via Aquarium, the first of its kind in the Capital Region. Opened in 2016, Via Aquarium uses cutting-edge technology and extraordinary exhibits of marine life to plunge visitors in the fascinating world beneath the sea. Among the aquarium features are an exhibit of fish native to the Adirondacks, shark tunnels, and not one, not two, but THREE separate touch pools.

And finally, one mile away from the hotel is the brand-new Rivers Casino. The casino features over 1000 unique slot games; 67 live table games, including a
high-roller room; a poker room; five dining options, including Duke’s Chophouse; and an on-site deluxe spa. Visit riverscasinoandresort.com for promotions and more information.

PERMA reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by PERMA, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. PERMA may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by PERMA including but not limited to: newsletters, websites, etc.