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

In Attendance: Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Randy Zieske, Schlagel Inc., Dick Young, Oak Land Vocational, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Kathy Krenik Minkler, Isanti County Public Health, John Schlagel, Joe Hobson, Hobson Landscaping, Darwin Bostic, Pine City Public Schools, Jason J. Spaeth, Pine Technical College, Garland Kotek, Pine Technical College, Keith Lester, Mora Public Schools, Travis Marttila, Braham Area Schools, Richard Williams, Isanti County Family Services, Dennis Adams, Cambridge Community College, Terry Dalbey, Mora/Cambridge Workforce Center, Cathy Lund-Ziebarth, Cambridge Community College, Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti School District, Natalie Kuehl, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Service, Valerie Peterson, Communities Investing in Families, Jarvis Keys, MN/DOT, Twyla Ring, Senate District 18, Nick Waldoch, Braham School District #314, Bill Zimmerman, Wright-Link STW Partnership, Randy Hatcher, Wright-Link STW Partnership, Gary Wilkes, Wright-Link STW Partnership and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of August 8, 2000 were approved upon motion by Joe H. seconded by Robert M. Motion carried. Executive Committee minutes of September 5, 2000 were received.

Wright-Link STW Partnership Visitors Welcomed: John N. welcomed Wright-Link STW Partnership visitors Randy H., Gary W. and Bill Z. He asked them to give a brief overview of Wright-Link. He then gave a brief history of the East Central Partnership and asked others to add to his comments. Business partners explained why they continue to attend and participate in meetings and activities. Discussion ensued and several questions were answered. Wright-Link representatives were given web site address to get Partnership goals and vision.

Web Site Report: Ray H. gave a short report on a recent Web Site committee meeting. He mentioned adding board member names and addresses to the site, the potential role of the site in promoting the Employer Conference and recommendations for physical changes on the site as discussion items at the committee meeting.

Allied Health Committee: Dennis A. told that a Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership grant has been approved for the Allied Health partners and asked grant coordinator, Kathy L-Z to elaborate on the grant. She explained that the primary purpose of the grant was to develop and provide leadership training for supervisors. Grant funds would also be used to establish a mentoring program in the participating businesses and that a Human Resources Web Site pertaining to health care would be developed with grant funds. The web site would address "How to" questions. The grant award was made in the amount of $266,903.00, but has yet to be announced by the state.

Also discussed was the decision not to sponsor the regional health care conference that would have outlined demographic and staff shortage issues facing health care. This was done on the advice of health care administrators who felt this was "old news" and the focus needed to be on addressing solutions. Members were asked to express opinions regarding next steps to be taken by the Allied Health committee. General recommendation was to follow-up with a meeting of the providers to review other recruitment and retention issues addressed prior to writing the grant.

Retail Committee: The members discussed how the entry level retail class developed and taught to 9^th grade students in Cambridge could be replicated by Pine City businesses and educators. Following discussion Dick Y. agreed to contact Skip S. and be the contact with representatives from Pine City who would be interested in offering the class in their community. Several partner members from Pine City and Rush City committed to leading this effort. The overall strategy is to equip Pine City retailers to deliver pre-retail training to students.

Greater Minnesota Rideshare Presentation: Valerie Peterson of Communities Investing in Families outlined their transportation goals for our region. They are to have a self-serving rideshare match map, create a new hire packet that includes transportation options and introduce vanpools to the region. She introduced Jarvis Keys, MN/DOT, who explained that they are interested in looking for alternate commuter choice options for transportation. He explained the benefits of reducing the number of automobiles used to transport people to and from work. He spoke about various vanpool options and financial incentives, handed out informational packets and answered members questions about implementing these programs in rural Minnesota.

CIF Grant Application: Richard W. explained that CIF was submitting a grant to fund post-employment retention services for welfare-to-work clients. The grant would include soft skill training, sharing of best practices for retention with employers and a contingency fund for purchasing equipment that would help clients keep their job. The grant application deadline date is September 29, 2000. He asked that the Partnership and individual businesses support the grant via a letter. E-mail addresses of those interested in supporting the grant were collected and will be given to Marty H. She will send specifics. John S. moved, seconded by Ginger G. to authorize the Partnership to submit a letter in support of this grant.

Focus on Training/Future of Partnership Report/Discussion: A partially completed "Training Needs Survey Summary Report" was distributed. The summary report contained results from two of the six businesses surveyed. Ray H. said the complete report would be available in the next few days. Robert M. led discussion as to next steps in the pilot study to develop training packages to address incumbent workers training needs as identified by the survey.

The Focus on Training/Future of Partnership committee was directed to meet and lay out a course of action including developing training packets, obtaining teachers and testing the training packets to see if they are successful. Participating businesses and the employees interviewed will be sent the summary report so they can see how others responded to the questions posed by the consultant.

Employer Conference: Terry D. said the Employer Conference was in the planning stages and that a committee meeting would be held after the Partnership meeting. The initial effort of the committee would be to establish a date, conference theme and obtain a keynote speaker. Discussion about the conference theme ensued; input from the members will be taken into consideration in conference planning.

Minnesota Technology eBusiness Institute: Robert M. distributed brochures and explained the purpose of the institute. He noted that they are looking for partners to offer eBusiness classes for regional employers. Sponsoring partners would not bear a financial responsibility. Robert M. moved, seconded by John S. for the Partnership, along with Pine Technical and Cambridge Community College to co-sponsor the eBusiness classes. Motion carried.

Labor Force Assessment Grant Program: Robert M. distributed information on a Department of Trade and Economic Development grant that would provide funding to determine availability of skill sets and experience of present workforce and their underemployment. Members asked that the grant request be reviewed by the Executive Committee to decide whether or not to pursue.

Apprenticeship Grant Support: Dick Y. requested that the Partnership support submission of two implementation grants by Oak Land Vocational and Cambridge-Isanti Schools to expand the youth apprenticeship program in three communities. A survey of 72 businesses revealed that 38 of them would be interested in participating in an expanded apprenticeship program. Each grant request is for $30,000.00. Upon motion by Robert M., seconded by Nick W. Partnership support was authorized. Motion carried.

Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services Board: Terry D. reported that the newly formed Workforce Board was in need of several members. Present needs include two business representatives from Pine, Kanabec or Mille Lacs counties and a post-secondary representative. Dick Y. suggested that local STW committees be encouraged to find and support members from their respective areas. Ray H. will bring this to the attention of STW Coordinators.

Adjournment: Darwin B. moved, seconded by Robert M. to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 a.m. Motion approved.

Minutes by Ray Hoheisel