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Call to Order: Chair John N. called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.

In Attendance: Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Randy Zieske, Schlagel Inc., Dick Young, Oak Land Vocational, Ted Dimberio, East Central Energy, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Denise Olson, Northern Solutions, Jeremy Rikala, Glenn Metalcraft, Marty Harding, Communities Investing in Families, Skip Strandberg, Cambridge NAPA, Kathi Schaff, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Kathy Krenik Minkler, Isanti County Public Health, John Schlagel, Lyndon Hagestuen, Pine City Schools, Randal Eckart, Princeton Public Schools and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of June 13, 2000 were approved upon motion by Ginger G. seconded by John S. Motion carried. Executive Committee minutes of August 1, 2000 were received.

Executive Committee Reorganization: Chair John N. told of Executive Board vacancies, appointment of new board members and reappointment of ex officio and existing board members. The Executive Committee minutes of June 13, 2000 names the members appointed.

Web Site Report: Ted D. reported that the web site is up and running and the plan is to add links to other relevant sites. He also mentioned including board member names, mail and e-mail addresses. Promotion and advertising the web site will be done as the work of the Focus on Training/Future of the Partnership advances. The committee plans to meet in August to plan next steps.

Allied Health Committee: Ray H. told of the request by Lori Steffen of Minnesota Colleagues in Caring for the Partnership and Allied Health Committee to host a regional workshop in October or early November of this year. The purpose of the workshop would be to inform those associated with healthcare of the demographically driven looming healthcare needs and workforce availability looking down the road in the next 20 years. The intent is to bring the information gained to a forum that will lead to community discussions on how to address the issues raised by the research findings. Allied Health Committee members have agreed to work on hosting the workshop.

Retail Committee: Skip S. reported on committee activities. He mentioned that the local committee met in St. Paul with representatives of the National Retail Standards Committee and was asked to work on the Inventory Control segment of the standards. He gave a brief update and overview on the retail sales class offered to 9^th grade students in Cambridge-Isanti. The committee would like to expand this opportunity to students in other communities. Pine City and Princeton have expressed interest. Discussion ensued as to how this can be accomplished.

Focus on Training/Future of Partnership Report/Discussion: Robert M. reported that the Focus on Training/Future of Partnership Committee met in late June and drafted criteria to guide and hire a consultant to conduct the needs assessment phase of the training pilot project. Ray H. informed the group of the progress made to date, including hiring the consultant and that interviews at the first company have been completed and a report written. Six businesses will participate in the pilot study, including representatives from health care, manufacturing and retail. Since the initial interviews were done at Glenn Metalcraft, Inc., Ginger G. told members of their experience. Short sections of the report and identification of training needs identified were also shared. The goal is to complete the needs assessment interviews in August. The committee will review the results, report to the Partnership and make recommendations to proceed.

Partnership Goals for 2000-01: The 2000-01 Partnership goals drafted at the Executive Committee meeting of August 1, 2000 were reviewed. Chair John N. led the discussion. Following discussion and member suggestions additions and changes were made to several of the proposed goals. The changes are reflected in the 2000-01 goals as listed.

1. Assist in identifying and helping with workforce needs in:

Allied Health Care &emdash; Under leadership of Allied Health committee: Pursue Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership grant and if grant is approved assist with implementation, Continue to assist providers with a vehicle to discuss and work toward meeting present and future workforce needs, and Sponsor regional meeting to explore state data and research on demographics and workforce needs in health care field.

Retail Standards &emdash; Assist Retail Standards committee: To accomplish retail standards plan as approved in Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership grant, and Work with interested retailers in Pine City and Princeton to offer entry level retail training class modeled after class taught by Cambridge retailers.

Automotive Technicians &emdash; Expand Partnership involvement to this workforce need.

Manufacturing &emdash; Action in this sector needs further discussion.

2. Provide leadership for School-To-Work in East Central Schools and manage federal School-To-Work grant.
3. Focus on Training/Future of Partnership.

   Pilot Training Project &emdash; Training needs survey to be completed for 6 businesses (manufacturing, health and retail) in September 2000., Training packets/curriculum developed and trainers identified for pilot testing in October and November 2000., Committee to monitor and review pilot results by December 2000 and plan strategy for further development of training project, including submitting grant to assist in development. Consider designating some School-To-Work funds for incumbent worker training.

   Business Plan &emdash; Use results of pilot and training project to develop business plan for Partnership., Goal would be to double involvement of active employers in Partnership and use Training Project to expand memberships.

4. Promotion and communication of Partnership effort and goals.

Web site &emdash; Committee will provide leadership for expansion and further development of Partnership offered services via web site, In connection with training project offer service to help people use Internet and web site for business purposes.

Communication &emdash; Have representatives make presentations about work of Partnership to Chambers, business and other interested groups., Assemble a list of regional businesses (List from Workforce Center) to identify target audience., Consider promoting Partnership by creating like business groups (similar to East Central Energy example of segments/societies used by their national organization)., Decide on how to define membership, but continue to ask question, "Are we accomplishing something?"

Employer Conference &emdash; Host annual employer conference with assistance of partners, Establish conference steering committee to ensure conference that meets needs of area employers. Communities Investing in Families, Workforce Center, Pine Technical College and Cambridge Community College have pledged to be active partners in developing and conducting Employer Conference. (Suggested topic/theme for Employer Conference, Bringing fun into the workplace.), Consider selling sponsorships for conference.

5. Establish budget for Partnership.

Employer Conference: Marty H. gave rationale for Employer Conference. She said there were 150 participants at the April 2000 conference and that the evaluations were very positive. Communities Investing in Families and others involved in the Employer Conference pledged to continue working on having a regional conference for employers. It was stated that the conference would be a good means to attract business members for the Partnership. A conference committee was established, based on volunteers and those who had previously participated. Members are: Kathi S., Marty H., Terry D., Beth N., Dennis A., Robert M., John N., Denise O., Skip S. and Ray H.

Governor’s Workforce Development Plan: John N. distribution web site addresses and information requesting feedback on the Governor’s Workforce Development Plan. Members were encouraged to respond. The deadline is September 1, 2000.

Information Sharing: Jeremy R., HR intern at Glenn Metalcraft shared a commuting time cost analysis he had done for Ginger G. The members thanked Jeremy for his work and requested use of the information, which was granted. Marty H. spoke of the rideshare program. Members invited a presentation on the topic. The presentation by Metro Commuter Services and Greater Minnesota Rideshare will be given at the September 12, 2000 Partnership meeting. Kathi S. invited members to and August 16, 2000 Chamber meeting in Cambridge featuring Commissioner of CFL Christine Jax.

Adjournment: Chair John N. adjourned the meeting at 9:00 a.m.

Minutes by Ray Hoheisel