Events

November 12 | Bridging the Gap: Generational & Cultural Difference in the Workplace with Rodd Welker

Bridging the Gap: Generational & Cultural Difference in the Workplace with Rodd Welker, President of Eagle Advisory Group
Turn Generational Gaps into Team Strengths!!
Discover fresh strategies to harness generational differences and build stronger, more connected teams. Fast-paced, insightful, and packed with ideas you can use right away—don’t miss it!

Speaker Bio:
Rodd, a human relations expert, has vast experience in leading and empowering others, maximizing their potential and performance. Traveling across the country, he facilitates leadership development for companies and organizations, provides executive coaching for top execs as well as emerging leaders, and conducts adventure-based teambuilding.
Rodd has more than 35 years of managerial and executive leadership experience in business, higher education and not-for-profit organizations. In addition, he has taught collegiate classes in business, leadership, and adult development.
His experience also includes seven years as a college basketball coach, and 20 years as a High School varsity basketball official. Rodd and his wife live in Wooster, OH and have three sons and five grandchildren.
Rodd is a member of the West Liberty University Gary E. West College of Business Advisory Board; serves on the Board of Directors for the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, Wayne County Community Federal Credit Union and Whit's End (a not-for-profit providing care for those impacted by cancer); and is a member of the Leadership Wooster steering committee for the Wooster Chamber. Rodd is also a member and past president of the Wayne Area Human Resource Association.

December 10 | HR Holiday Cheer & 2026 Kickoff!

HR Holiday Cheer & 2026 Kickoff!
Ready to jingle and mingle? It’s time for HR Pros to take a well-deserved break and share some laughs!

• Bring your funniest White Elephant gift (wrapped, of course!) for a lighthearted gift exchange that’s sure to spark some giggles.
• We’ll also dive into hot HR topics for 2026 in a collaborative roundtable format—your ideas and insights are the star of the show!
• Let’s celebrate the season, connect with colleagues, and head into the new year inspired and energized.

Ugly sweaters welcome. Laughter guaranteed. Let’s make spirits bright - HR style!

January 14 | Meeting with Valerie Nash

Please join us on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at Buehler's Community Room in Wooster!

Valarie A. Nash, SHRM-SCP, President, 821 Consulting LLC will be presenting Civility in the Workplace.

Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm
Location: Buehler's Community Room, 3540 Burbank Road, Wooster, OH

Session Description:
Workplace civility isn’t about being “nice”—it’s about creating an environment where respect, accountability, and professionalism are the norm. In today’s fast-paced, high-stress work settings, even the most well-intentioned teams can fall into patterns of incivility: interrupting, dismissive tones, gossip, and avoidance of conflict. Over time, these behaviors erode trust, lower engagement, and undermine productivity.
This interactive session invites HR leaders to reflect on how they model and influence civility. Together, we’ll explore practical tools for addressing disrespect, fostering psychological safety, and rebuilding professional trust. Through open discussion, participants will identify strategies to coach leaders and employees alike—transforming civility from a compliance topic into a cultural value.

Learning Objectives:

• Define workplace civility and its connection to organizational culture, trust, and engagement.
• Recognize the impact of incivility on individuals, teams, and business outcomes—including turnover, burnout, and morale.
• Identify key behaviors that model civility, particularly in leadership and HR roles.
• Apply practical tools and conversation frameworks to address disrespect or tension constructively.
• Develop a civility action plan to strengthen culture within their own workplaces and leadership teams.

Speaker Bio:
Valarie Nash is the Founder and Principal of 821 Consulting LLC, a leadership and HR consulting firm serving public, nonprofit, and private organizations across Ohio and beyond. Known for her engaging and relatable training style, Valarie brings over two decades of HR leadership experience and has designed and delivered dozens of programs focused on accountability, civility, and leadership excellence.
She currently serves as President of the Stark County Human Resource Association and is a sought-after speaker for SHRM chapters and professional conferences statewide. Her sessions are known for blending humor, storytelling, and actionable takeaways that inspire participants to lead with confidence, courage, and compassion.