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

In Attendance: Randy Zieske, Schlagel Inc., Dick Young, Oak Land Vocational, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., John Schlagel, Darwin Bostic, Pine City Public Schools, Jason J. Spaeth, Pine Technical College, Cathy Lund-Ziebarth, Cambridge Community College, Nick Waldoch, Braham School District #314, Vicky Wills, Crystal Cabinet Works, JoAnn Faust, Crystal Cabinet Works, Skip Strandberg, Cambridge NAPA, Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti Schools, Natalie Kuehl, Central MN Jobs&Training, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Nancy Mach, Pine Technical College, Dennis Adams, Cambridge Community College, Terry Dalbey, Mora/Cambridge Workforce Center, Randal Eckart, Princeton Schools, Bill Laxson, Minnesota Technology, Doreen Karllson, Rush City Schools, Colleen Danielson, Rush City Schools, Travis Marttila, Braham Area Schools, Kristin Riley, Minnesota Technology and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of November 14, 2000 were approved upon motion by Dick Y. seconded by Nick W. Motion carried. Executive Committee minutes of December 5, 2000 were received.

Rush City School-To-Work Report:

Chair John N. welcomed Doreen Karllson and Colleen Danielson from the Rush City School-To-Work committee. Doreen Karllson distributed a packet of information that showed their accomplishments. She presented the contents of an informational packet that included a Career Link Student/Supervision Manual, Career Link Pre-Placement Tasks and a Rush City High School System Plan. She explained that Career Link was developed because of gaps in their program following grades 9 & 10. Students involved in Career Link spend one hour per day for a semester in a business setting. Rush City businesses cooperated fully and placements for students were made. She explained pre-placement tasks and told how transcript project was used. Largest concern is lack of time at the place of employment, given the one-hour time limitation. Also a limitation of the Rush City program is a lack of activities in K-6. Colleen Danielson explained particulars of the Career Link program and mentioned that 35 students are in the class and an expected enrollment of 24-28 for second semester. They responded to questions and were asked to explain the Family Center of Rush City. Chairman John N. thanked them for their presentation and complimented them on their work.

Minnesota Technology Presentation:

Kristin Riley of Minnesota Technology gave an overview and power point presentation of Minnesota Technology. She explained their mission and stated they were publicly funded with 90 employers serving manufacturers with "one on one" technical assistance. Their mode of operation is helping manufacturers identify problems and assisting them to find solutions to the problems. Examples of help provided by staff in the recent past were in the areas of lean manufacturing, strategic development and technology transfer.

She said that Minnesota Technology brings value to clients because they have access to specialized labs and their technologies, examples given were NASA and University of Minnesota. They also have access to student interns at the University of Minnesota that can be placed in businesses to work on specific problems/solutions. Their services are at no charge and recently have involved staff from the Department of Energy and NASA, respectively; companies were seeking help to improve distribution of coatings while plating and automation of aluminum welding and fabrication.

Glenn Metalcraft and Atscott Mfg. have received technical assistance from Minnesota Technology. This effort brought large company capabilities to smaller companies. It was also mentioned that Minnesota Technology helped get School-To-Work efforts started in the state.

Allied Health Committee: Dennis A. reported that the committee is scheduled to meet on December 21, 2000. The purpose of the meeting is to identify next steps. Cathy L-Z. said that the grant implementation team will be meeting on December 19, 2000. They will meet with a potential trainer. Dick Y. called attention to a newspaper article that indicated legislation is being discussed to assist long-term care facilities with recruitment and retention of staff.

Retail Committee: Skip S. and Nancy M. reported on meeting at Pine City where they explained entry-level retail class to Pine City business representatives that have expressed interest in developing and teaching the class. Pine City representatives will meet again on January 18, 2001 to plan the class. It is their intent to adapt the Cambridge-Isanti model to Pine City. Skip S. also gave a brief update on the second phase of the retail grant implementation. They plan to begin by training 20 people.

Employer Conference: Terry D. and Ginger G. gave a brief update, confirming the date of April 27th and that main speakers have been secured.

Focus on Training: Robert M. reported on committee action outlined in minutes of Executive Committee meeting. He touched on next steps and the potential need for a broader needs assessment. Ray H. has been asked to make contacts regarding grant funding. Skip S. and Ray H. reported on their meeting with Roger Kollman and his interest in teaching the pilot classes involving use of rules and fractions. They shared information about his industry background and subject matter knowledge based on his industry experience. The first classes will be taught at Cambridge NAPA, hopefully in the near future. A question regarding formal pre-assessment was asked and its importance stressed. Also mentioned was the importance of meeting industry needs and doing so with a seasoned and experienced person to teach. Committee members asked if K-12 teachers could be invited to observe classes taught at the businesses?

Future of Partnership: John N. reported on meeting with East Central Energy representatives and the discussion that took place at Executive Committee meeting. He said that history; mission, values, goals and a list of Partnership activities during the past four years were covered. He spoke of East Central Energy's concern regarding the limited Partnership service area and communications with all area businesses. Following his presentation John N. asked for feedback from members present. General consensus of the group was that geographical expansion to include Benton County and the Lindstrom area was not feasible for the Partnership. It was felt those distance and existing political boundaries would be too much to overcome given current resources. The issue of dues was also addressed. Again group consensus preferred the voluntary approach and staying with present philosophy. Dues were seen as a last option to funding.

School-To-Work Report: Ray H. reported that he was not able to attend the statewide School-To-Work meeting on November 30, 2000 and consequently had not received answers regarding the supplemental grant. He said he would be attending a statewide School-To-Work sustainability workshop on December 15, 2000 and hoped to get the information missed from the previous meeting.

Executive Committee Report: John N. stated that the Executive Committee discussion and minutes had been covered during the course of the meeting.

Information Sharing & Other Reports: Ginger G. mentioned that their Human Resource intern is looking for a full-time position. Jason S. explained and distributed a training brochure. Ken R. spoke positively of the recently held Manufacturing Tour in Cambridge. He explained that retail businesses offered discounts and other coupons to the 1500 persons employed by local manufacturers. Natalie K. told the group that Diane Bublitz's replacement has been hired. The new director is Barb Chafee. She also made available copies of the annual report of Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services. Robert M. told of the March Women in Technology workshop being held as a pilot for 6th grade female students from 5 area schools and mentioned that Pine Technical College will be hosting a Technology Fair for the general public. Using the Internet for banking and doing research are two topics that will be covered at the fair.

Adjournment: Chair John N. adjourned the meeting at 9:05 a.m. Minutes by Ray H.