As the saying goes, the only people who like change are busy cashiers and wet babies. We find change disorienting, creating within us an anxiety similar to culture shock. With an established routine, we don’t have to thinkand thinking is hard work.

Lower Columbia Human Resources Management Association will host Deborah Jeffries, vice president with HR Answers, on Feb. 7 to speak on managing change and transition. Jeffries has 25 years experience in the human resources field (20 in consulting), focusing on employment, employee relations and training.

Change is a fact of life in our business and our personal lives. Some changes may be in response to the evolving needs of your customers (both internal and external) or the current economic climate. Because our customers’ needs are now, we must make changes swiftly, which means that all of us must cooperate with the changes, rather than resist them.

Jeffries will cover:

· Understanding the change process and requirements to effectively manage change yourself (and others).

· Discovering the actions that can minimize resistance to change.

· Recognizing the available tools that can help you navigate change more successfully.

Uncertainty makes employees anxiousso they are not able to help an organization move forward. This program will give you at least 10 keys to making the changing process easier and less Cha-lle-nge-ing!

The meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center Bistro, 37573 Old Hwy 30, Astoria, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You need not be a member to attend. Register online at www.lchrma.org by Feb. 1. The cost, including lunch prepared by the TPJCC Bistro Culinary Students, is $20. All proceeds for this meeting will go to benefit the SHRM Foundation