10
December 2013
Did You Know: KICA Human Resources
Maggie Hawkins
Ursula Tobin
We all know that what
makes KICA so efficient
and effective is its many
hard-working employees.
But did you ever stop to
think that there wouldn’t
be any employees without
a Human Resources (HR)
Department to support
them? And did you know
what that support involves?
KICA has one part-time and 99 full-time employees and generally adds
approximately 18 seasonal employees during the summer months. There
are also four fitness instructors on the payroll, with several others contracted
through Total Fitness. KICA will occasionally use temporary staff for shortterm needs, such as employee illness. Recruiting agencies are used only for
higher level management positions, such as the chief operating officer hire
in 2012. The department has in-processed 37 employees thus far in 2013.
To support these staff, the HR Department performs a variety of functions:
• Hiring of employees, as well as disciplines and terminations.
• Regular interaction and communication with supervisors from
other departments to discuss employee issues and questions.
• Employee benefits, including health and dental insurance, shortand long-term disability, life insurance, AD and D (accidental
death and dismemberment insurance), Aflac.
• Employee recognition programs, such as employee of the quarter
and anniversaries.
• Payroll budget, as well as assistance with payroll processing.
• Attendance data.
Although HR coordinates some special events, like the holiday party, other
departments often have their own celebratory functions. For example, the
Maintenance Department rewards its staff with an end-of-season cookout.
Like many of KICA’s departments, HR was once within the purview of
Executive Director Tammy McAdory. Today, it comprises two employees
- Maggie Hawkins, the current director, who is also responsible for
Information Technology, and Ursula Tobin, the HR assistant.
Maggie joined KICA in 1996 as a customer service representative
and HR also became one of her duties. As HR became more of a
focus, Maggie secured her PHR (Professional in Human Resources)
certification and, in 1999, she gave up her customer service duties so she
could concentrate on HR, but also picked up Information Technologies
at the same time. Ironically, a few years ago a reorganization returned
the customer service staff and duties to Maggie’s department.
Ursula joined KICA in 2007 as a temp and was hired as a full-time
employee the following year. In 2009, she moved to the HR position,
where her duties have evolved over the years to include benefits
enrollment, new hire processing, assisting with payroll, and helping
with the many issues that a 100-employee organization can generate.
Maggie notes that Ursula’s expertise is extremely helpful to employees
who are trying to navigate through their health insurance benefits.
One thing you probably did not know about Maggie is that she is
an avid dancer, who enjoys shag, ballroom, and line dancing, as well
as zumba. She is a member of the Lowcountry Senior Center, whose
line dancing group puts on presentations at retirement communities
around the area. For her part, Ursula is native of New York City who
is happy she moved to the Lowcountry, where she doesn’t have to deal
with cold and snow. An avid reader and shopper, she is the proud
grandmother of six boys, three of whom live in the area.
Maggie and Ursula take pride in being able to attract good employees
to KICA, in part due to the great benefits and the wonderful team
spirit within the organization.
Article contributed by Digest Member Volunteer Jinnie Chapel.
KICA To Offer Shuttle Service in 2014
Members may soon have a new way to get around Charleston County.
For some time, KICA has been exploring the idea of offering a paid shuttle
service as an amenity to its membership, to various off-island locations (e.g.
downtown Charleston, the airport, etc.). As part of the budget presentation
at the November KICA board meeting, KICA Chief Operating Officer
Jimmy Bailey confirmed these plans by announcing the upcoming
purchase of a Sprinter shuttle van as part of the 2014 budget. The service is
slated to begin sometime early next year.
While this idea was already under consideration earlier this year, the
amenities survey confirmed that a shuttle program would be a very popular
service with the membership. In addition to offering a key service, the
program will also provide a modest new revenue source for the association.
As plans are finalized, more information will be made available to the
membership.
Dogtoberfest, Oyster Roast Events a Success; Photos Online
This fall, KICA held two major island events, Dogtoberfest and the
Rhett's Bluff Oyster Roast. Both events were a resounding success.
Dogtoberfest raised 30% more funds than 2012 (funds were donated
to participating pet rescue organizations), making it the most successful
Dogtoberfest in its six years of existence! The Rhett's Bluff Oyster Roast
was very well attended, selling out well before the event took place.
Photos from both events, as well as other photos, can be viewed on
the KICA Facebook page (@kiawahislandsc).