February Meeting -
Cal/OSHA Employer Update
PRESENTER: David Gee
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Stay ahead of workplace compliance challenges with an in-depth update from Cal/OSHA. This session will cover the latest regulatory developments, the Top 10 most frequently cited violations, current enforcement and inspection trends, and practical resources to help employers reduce risk, strengthen safety programs, and prepare for audits and inspections. Designed specifically for HR professionals and business leaders, this presentation will provide actionable insights you can take back to your organization immediately.
About David Gee:
David is a Senior Safety Engineer with the Cal/OSHA Consultation Unit located in Fresno. He is responsible for conducting safety and health evaluations for candidates in the Voluntary Protection Program for Construction; providing technical support and continuous training to consultants in area offices located throughout the state. Prior to joining Cal/OSHA in 2001, David had worked as a specialist for a large steel foundry and in the hazardous waste industry in the San Francisco Bay Area.
David holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from California State University, Fresno. He is also a Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
Lunch Menu Options:
Entrees:
- Teriyaki Beef with Rice Pilaf
- Penne Pasta with Pesto (vegetarian)
Dessert:
- Lemon Cake
Meeting Locaton:
Madonna Inn Garden Room
100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 543-3000
Spotlight Speaker
Speaker: Dr. Karen Edwards, Laurus College
Dr. Karen Edwards is the Dean of Workforce Partnerships & Credentialing at Laurus College, serving as a community liaison and representative of the college's programs and partnerships. Dr. Edwards will be sharing information about the college, highlighting program offerings, and providing an overview of our HR class bundles designed to support HR professionals in the community.
Register: Click Here
March Meeting -
SEE IT: Strategic Planning as a Human Systems Diagnostic
PRESENTER: Erika Scott, Book a COO
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
How HR Leaders Use Strategic Planning to Align People, Culture, and Process
Strategic planning isn’t just a leadership exercise—it’s one of the most powerful diagnostic tools HR can use to uncover what’s really happening inside an organization.
Join Erika Scott of Book a COO for a practical and engaging session that introduces the “See It, Plan It, Do It” framework and shows HR leaders how to use strategic planning to evaluate their organization as a human system. You’ll learn how to identify misalignment in team structure, uncover accountability gaps, and spot process inefficiencies before they turn into bigger culture or performance problems.
This session is designed for HR professionals who want to move beyond reacting to issues and start diagnosing and fixing root causes. Erika will walk through how to use strategic planning as a lens to assess what’s working, what’s not, and where your organization needs clarity, structure, or better systems to scale successfully.
You’ll walk away with:
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A new way to use strategic planning as a diagnostic tool—not just a planning exercise
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Practical methods to evaluate people, processes, and structure together
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Tools to identify breakdowns in accountability, communication, and execution
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A framework to help HR lead organizational change with confidence and credibility
This is an ideal session for HR & business leaders who want to strengthen their role as strategic partners and internal change agents—and help their organizations fix small issues before they become big ones.
About Erika Scott:
Erika Scott is the Founder of Book a COO and a fractional COO who works with growing businesses that need structure, clarity, and better systems before they’re ready for a full executive team. She brings more than 20 years of experience in administrative and operational leadership and is known for helping organizations turn big-picture goals into practical, workable plans.
She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and enjoys helping leaders clarify their direction, align their teams, and build operations that support both performance and people. Her work focuses on creating structure, improving accountability, and making organizations easier—and healthier—to run.
Erika is also a mom to two boys, Gage and Tate, and believes strongly in building businesses that support life, not compete with it.
Lunch Menu Options:
Entrees:
- Mediterranean Sandwich (Turkey)
- Mediterranean Sandwich (Vegeterian)
Dessert:
- Chocolate Cream Pie
Meeting Locaton:
Madonna Inn Garden Room
100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 543-3000
Register: Click Here
April Meeting -
Bad News in Your Inbox? What to Do When You Get a Letter or a Lawsuit
PRESENTER: Alex Craigie, Craigie Law Firm PC
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Many employers thrive for decades without a claim or lawsuit. Others aren’t so lucky. If a business receives a claim letter from a former employee’s lawyer, a complaint from the Labor Commissioner, an investigation by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), or—worst of all—a summons and civil lawsuit, even seasoned HR Professionals can feel like deer in headlights.
This doesn’t have to be the case. In this presentation, HR Professionals will learn what it is they are looking at if an employee brings a claim, whether through a demand letter, a summons or a state agency document. They will learn what steps should be automatic on receipt of these documents. This includes acting quickly to “hold” or preserve certain records and timely notifying any potential insurance carriers. It also includes what kind of response is required or appropriate.
HR Professionals will learn that, unless they are looking at a lawsuit, it’s not always necessary to pay for a lawyer to manage a demand, even before a government agency. There is a way to professionally respond and protect the business which sets the stage for a better outcome if the matter goes further.
Attendees will come away much better prepared when their business is targeted. Alex will remain available for up to an hour after the presentation to answer employment law questions on any topic.
About Alex Craigie:
Alex Craigie is an employment trial lawyer who represents employers throughout California in complex workplace disputes. After spending a decade as a partner at a national law firm, he founded his own practice in 2014, bringing the experience he gained litigating high-stakes cases for major companies to organizations of all sizes.
Alex is a recognized thought leader in employment law and frequently speaks to business and HR groups on practical, real-world workplace issues. He has taught employment law in UC Santa Barbara’s Human Resource Management Certificate Program and remains actively involved in the local legal and HR community.
Based in Santa Barbara, Alex is deeply engaged in community organizations and enjoys spending time with his family, supporting his daughter’s equestrian pursuits, and staying active in local sports and clubs.
Lunch Menu Options:
Entrees:
- BBQ Beef Sandwich
- Buffalo Chickpea sandwich (Vegetarian)
Dessert:
- Caramel Dutch Apple Pie
Meeting Locaton:
Madonna Inn
100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 543-3000
Register: Click Here