Return to: Meeting Minutes
December 14, 1999
Call to Order: Chair John N. called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.
In Attendance:
Presentation East Central School-To-Work Committee: Present to give the report was Jeff Lagodinski, School-To-Work coordinator at East Central High School. Jeff L. distributed a handout that contained information about Eagle Printing a student owned and run business operating at East Central High School. He told that the business began with a local donation of approximately $10,000 worth of equipment, two School-To-Work implementation grants and a state entrepreneur grant. Their market is primarily the high school to avoid competition with local businesses that have been helping them get started.
Jeff L. shared sample T-shirts and sweat shirts that have been produced. He told of his role and student learning to date. They found out about the need for managers and will be rewriting the business plan. They will also be developing a new marketing plan once they move in the new facility that is adjacent to the school and has been constructed by the building trades class. They also have plans to expand the business to include a school store. Following his presentation Jeff L. answered questions about the business venture.
Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of November 9, 1999 were approved upon motion by Terry D. seconded by Ted D. Motion carried. Executive Committee minutes of November 8, 1999 and December 7, 1999 were received.
Minnesota Workforce Development Council: John N. asked Representative Jim R. for feedback on the Minnesota Workforce Development Council representatives meetings with the East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership. He stated that only informal discussion had been held since their next meeting is in February, but reiterated the feeling that they would like to be able to assist others in the state to develop similar groups. In response to a question, Representative Jim R. stated that the Governor’s mini-cabinet is working on redirecting present state workforce development program.
Allied Health Committee: Dennis A. reported that the Allied Health group had met with Kaylene Weiser to discuss Leadership 2000 training for supervisors in their respective organizations. The group decided to establish a pilot program using the Leadership 2000 curriculum. The program is scheduled to be held from January-March, 2000. Also discussed was potential direction of the Allied Health group and continued ties with the partnership.
Web Site Committee Report: Ted D. distributed a handout entitled, Request for Proposal, Web Page Development, East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership. The document included a cover letter, an ECMWF Partnership web page fact sheet, an invitation to submit bid and instructions to bidders and a bid evaluation sheet. Ted D. explained the various components of the document and responded to questions and mentioned that proposal was sent to three local web designers. Discussion included the potential of incorporating the St. Paul hotline for students in the Web Site and an interest in determine who is accessing the Web Site.
Focus on Training Committee Report: Marty H. had faxed a report to be shared with group, however it was determined to carry-over the report to the next meeting.
Future of Partnership Committee Report and Discussion: John N. recapped discussion of Executive Committee in the absence of Joe H. He discussed what had been covered at Executive Committee meeting and elaborated on a number of topics. Points made were that training needs to done in local communities, if not businesses. The "train the trainer" concept was discussed, as was forming a consortium to offer reasonably priced training focused on needs of business. Skip S. gave examples of needed training, Time Management and Stress Management. Training already available needs to be publicized. Ted D. recommended conducting a training needs survey. It was also suggested that a business plan be developed if the partnership members are to become formally involved in this effort. Further discussion will ensue at the January meeting upon receiving draft of ideas prepared by Joe H.
Retail Standards Presentation: Skip S. distributed and presented information contained in proposal to Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, Applying National Retail Standards to Locally Defined Skill Requirements that has recently been funded. He explained that the initial effort of the committee was to localize six standard modules developed by the National Retail Standards group.
The newly approved grant will fund training of retail workers to the skill standards. The effort will include a pilot training course for high school students at Levels 1 & 2 in areas of Initiating Customer Contacts and Determining Customer Needs. Discussion followed the presentation and Chair John N. thanked Skip S. for an excellent presentation and his leadership on the retail standards committee.
School-To-Work Report: Ray H. discussed and referred members to Executive Committee meeting minutes of December 7, 1999 for his report. He and Nancy M. reported on Randy Dorn workshop that has been scheduled for March, 2000 and the upcoming Pioneer Press Career Supplement workshop scheduled for December 15th.
Executive Committee Report: John N. called attention to the minutes of the December 7, 1999 Executive Committee meeting. He spoke to those items not included in the agenda of this meeting.
Information Sharing and Other Reports: John N. read a letter from Nancy Hoffman informing the group of her new job in Benton County as the Economic Development Director. Ted D. mentioned that for those interested he would demonstrate technology being evaluated by East Central Energy to conduct automated meter reading and many other uses.
Adjournment: Upon motion by John S., seconded by Randy Z., Chairman John N. adjourned the meeting at 8:55 a.m.
Minutes by Ray Hoheisel