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November 7, 2000
Jason Spaeth, Pine Technical College, John Schlagel, Joe Hobson, M&J Consulting, Randy Zieske, Schlagel, Inc., Ted Dimberio, East Central Energy, Darwin Bostic, Pine City Public Schools, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Dick Young, Oak Land Vocational, Skip Strandberg, Cambridge NAPA, John Norris, Atscott Mfg. and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director, ECMWF Partnership.
Chair John N. called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.
Minutes of the October 3, 2000 Executive Committee meeting were approved upon motion by John S., seconded by Joe H. Motion carried.
A financial statement through October 31, 2000 was distributed. Treasurer Randy Z. reported a balance of $49,679.30. Interest earned was the only receipt.
Disbursements were September payment for executive director and stationery. School-To-Work funds for Year IV including Year III carry-over were reported as $179,215.16 with $31,962.01 expended with a balance of $147,253.15. Upon motion by Joe H., seconded by John S. the report was accepted and filed. Motion carried.
The following reports prepared by Peffer & Wallace, Certified Public Accountants were presented for approval: 990-Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Minnesota Secretary of State Annual Registration Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 317A and State of Minnesota Office of Attorney General Charitable Organization Annual Report. Dick Y. moved to approve the reports for signature and authorize payment of $25.00 registration fee. The motion was seconded by Darwin B. and approved.
Jason Spaeth has been nominated by Pine Technical College to serve as its representative in place of interim representative, Garland Kotek. Upon motion by John S., seconded by Skip S., Jason Spaeth was appointed. Motion carried.
Ted D. reported that Executive Committee directory information including e-mail addresses are on the Web Site.
John S., Dick Y. and Ray H. reported on the Allied Health Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership grant-signing ceremony held on November 6, 2000. They mentioned introductory comments made by Roger Hughes about the success of the East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership and commended the Allied Health partners on a quality grant proposal. He encouraged those present to seek other grants from the Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership. During the report and discussion it was recommended that following the election we invite legislators to a Partnership meeting so they can learn what is being done in workforce development in the area.
Skip S. spoke of efforts to transport high school training to other communities. He mentioned that the next step of the grant is being implemented. It involves evaluating businesses for training needs of current employees. Evaluation will be done in four training areas. Employees that meet skill levels will be given credit and will not be required to take the classes. The evaluation will be conducted using the secret shopper method. Motivation for employees to participate is to earn college credits and an associate degree in management. Jason S. has replaced Noel H. as Pine Technical College staff representative for the grant.
Joe H. shared thoughts about the state of School-To-Work efforts from a national perspective. He pointed out difference in approach used by many other states compared to Minnesota. In most states School-To-Work is incorporated into the overall workforce development plan and not as a stand-alone effort. He passed around materials and brochures from the conference and spoke of the national study that documented success. Better attendance, informed career planning, an understanding of what jobs require and knowledge of various careers were some of the benefits students realized as a result of participating in School-To-Work programs. He also mentioned that unless top administrators at the state and local level embrace the effort success is limited.
Ted D. was asked to discuss criteria for East Central Energy to continue as a financial contributor to the Partnership. Items listed were: presence in Benton County and Lindstrom area, return on $5,000.00 investment, yearly pledges increase from $30,000.00 to $60,000.00, maintain constant contact with all area businesses and serve all five county area, plus Benton County. Discussion ensued and various options were explored. Topics discussed were leveraging of resources, reality of being successful in an expanded environment, potential for Partnership to apply for Operation Round-up funds from East Central Energy, inventory and listing of affiliated businesses and impact on workforce development. Following discussion members asked whether information could be presented about the work and effort of the Partnership to the East Central Energy board of directors. Ted D. will explore this with management and inform John N. of next steps.
Minutes of the last Focus on Training committee meeting were distributed. Joe H. was asked to present materials he had prepared at the request of the committee. He distributed and discussed a very complete set of materials to be used in the next steps of the pilot study. They included documents titled: Preparation for Instruction Structuring the Activities, Conversion Table of English Units, Using Rules, Review of Fractions, Objective Recording Documents and A Guide for Business and Industry Instructors.
Committee members discussed each of the documents as they were presented, decisions regarding the documents and next steps will be recommended by the Focus on Training committee, which was scheduled to meet following the Executive Committee meeting. Joe H. was thanked for his presentation and his work and effort.
Ray H. gave a brief update and noted that April 27, 2001 is tentative date for conference, but will not be finalized until main speakers have been secured.
Ray H. gave a limited report due to lack of time. He explained the recent financial review conducted by a staff member from the Department of Children, Families and Learning. The review was favorable with no problem areas identified. He said that School-To-Work Coordinators were meeting on November 8, 2000.
Skip S. moved and Ginger G. seconded the payment for services provided by Executive Director in October for 6 days. Motion carried.
John S. and Ray H. shared information and reported on Central Initiative Foundation Rural Summit meeting they attended. Workforce development was identified as the top priority in the Central Minnesota region. Commissioners from several state agencies were present to receive input on regional needs from those attending the meeting.
The agenda for the partnership meeting was set as follows: 1. STW Report, 2. Allied Health Care, Retail and Web Site Committee Reports, 3. Future of Partnership/Focus on Training Committee Report, 4. Employer Conference Discussion, 5. Executive Committee Report, 6. National School-To-Work Conference, 7. East Central Energy’s Criteria and 7. Presentation by Braham School-To-Work Committee.
John S. moved, seconded by Joe H. to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 a.m. Motion carried.
Minutes by Ray H.