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Call to Order: Chair John N. called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.

In Attendance:

John Schlagel, Schlagel Inc.

Randy Zieske, Schlagel Inc.

Nancy Mach, Pine Technical College

Dennis Adams, Cambridge Community College

Ted Dimberio, East Central Energy

Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director, ECMWFP

Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti Schools

Skip Strandberg, Cambridge NAPA

Noel Harness, Pine Technical College

Dick Young, Oak Land Vocational Center

Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College

Marty Harding, Communities Investing in Families

Kathi Schaff, Cambridge Chamber

Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft

Joe Hobson, Hobson Landscaping

Darlene Shafer, Chisago Chamber & Human Services

Richard Williams, Isanti County Family Services

Scott G. Wadeson, East Central Regional Development Commission

Mary Ann David, Peoples Bank of Commerce

Vicky Wills, Crystal Cabinet Works Inc.

JoAnn Faust, Crystal Cabinet Works Inc.

Bill Laxson, Minnesota Technology

Terry Dalbey, Mora/Cambridge Work Force Center

Natalie Kuehl, Central MN Jobs & Training Services

Gene A. Banks, Industries Inc. Mora

Lance Olson, Grandview

Jon McBroom, Mora Schools

Stan Sjodahl, Hinckley/Finlayson Schools

Cathy Lund-Ziebarth, Cambridge Community College

John Norris, Atscott Mfg.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of February 8, 2000 were approved upon motion by Noel H., seconded by Ted D. Motion carried. Executive Committee minutes of March 7, 2000 were received.

Randy Dorn Introduced: Nancy M. introduced Randy Dorn, nationally recognized speaker, who will spend three days in partnership schools speaking to students and community members. Presentations will be made in Braham, Hinckley/Finlayson, Milaca, Mora, Pine City and Rush City. Upon being introduced Mr. Dorn gave a brief demonstration of his presentation to students. He also showed posters that outlined his message.

Presentation from Industries, Inc. Employee Resources: Gene Banks presented information on employee resources available from Industries, Inc. He said they train people with disabilities and offer enclave services and teams of workers. The team members are trained and supervised by Industries, Inc. staff. Training is done for individuals at local businesses with the help of a coach. They currently employ 125 persons. Gene B. outlined incentives for businesses that employ eligible persons. A question and answer session followed his presentation.

Web Site Report: Ted D. distributed a handout that listed points to be covered in his report. He stated that the domain name would be www.ecmnworkforce.org. He also stated that the search engine "Meta Tags" would be: Workforce, Training, School-To-Work, Work and Partnership. The web site will be stored on the ECMECC file server and that the Executive Committee member’s name, telephone number and e-mail address will be included. He identified those organizations that would be linked on the web site.

He also shared a copy of the logo that has been designed.

Discussion ensued regarding linking sites. It was agreed that linking schools in the region should be voluntary. The Mora/Cambridge Workforce Center asked that they be included. No decision was made regarding linking individual employers. It was suggested that the logo be altered to have the hands be more of a focal point, enlarge the lettering and move the state to the center.

Allied Health Committee: Dennis A. reported that Allied Health businesses have met with grant writer from Cambridge Community College to pursue a Minnesota Jobs Skills partnership and pathways grant. The focus of the grant will be on training, which will lead to greater retention of health care staff. Six-seven employers are presently involved. The next meeting of the group is set for March 21, 2000.

Noel H. and Ray H. gave brief report on the pilot leadership training class taught by Kaylene Weiser. They attended the evaluation session at the conclusion of class and noted that the class was well received and recommended for continuation by the participants. It was suggested that the grant request focus on leadership training as a means of improving service and increasing employee retention.

Retail Committee: Skip S. distributed a handout and discussed a planned Orientation Training for Retail Sales Associate Part Time Employment. He noted that the curriculum is very similar to the ten steps listed on the Randy Dorn poster. Organizers of the training sessions have met with 9^th grade students from Cambridge-Isanti High School and are waiting for registrations to be submitted. Skip S. said the students questions generated by the presentation were just outstanding. He also mentioned that planning has resulted in a new relationship with a distributive education teacher and the business collegiality has been rewarding. If successful other partnership communities will be encouraged to duplicate the project.

Employer Conference: Marty H. distributed conference brochures and gave a quick overview of the conference. She also distributed packets of brochures and asked that partnership members contact employers in the region, tell them about the conference and encourage their attendance. Each partner was asked to contact 5 employers.

Focus on Training/Future of Partnership Report/Discussion: John N. outlined action taken by the Executive Committee as listed in the March 7^th minutes. The action called for the partnership to do a pilot project, starting immediately with a 90-day completion date. The recommendation was to use format of the units outlined by Joe H. The retail committee is using a similar format. Instruction time should be one hour or less. To begin the process two businesses from health care, manufacturing and retail should be interviewed as to their training needs.

A budget amount of $5,000.00 will be available to hire a coordinator who will conduct interviews, recruit teachers and assist in curriculum development for training packages. Ray H. was authorized to seek out an individual who would be contracted with to serve as coordinator.

School-To-Work Report: Ray H. reported that the Executive Committee had approved a School-To-Work implementation grant for Pine City. He also stated that the Year IV School-To-Work grant had been approved as submitted and called attention to the K-8 Promising Practices workshop being offered at Mora on April 13, 2000. Members were asked to encourage registrations from their respective communities.

Information Sharing & Other Reports: Marty H. and Dick W. reported that Communities Investing in Families has been funded at one-third of the initial grant funding level by McKnight. Robert M. informed the group that the technology grant would be submitted again. He also told of the Net Plan which will provide fiber optic access to the state backbone system. A pilot project is underway in Pine City and a second pilot is planned for Mora. Cathy L-Z. told of the College for Kids program to be held this summer at Cambridge Community College. Dennis A. stated that they are in budget planning asked about voluntary contributions to partnership for next year.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m.

Minutes by Ray Hoheisel