Present

Terry Dalbey, WorkForce Center Mora/Cambridge, Jason Spaeth, Pine Technical College, Joe Hobson, M and J, Nick Waldoch, Braham Schools, Ted Dimberio, East Central Energy, Randy Zieske, Schlagel Inc., John Schlagel and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director, ECMWF Partnership.

Call to Order

Vice-Chair Ted D. called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.

Minutes

Minutes of the June 5, 2001 Executive Committee meeting were approved upon motion by Joe H., seconded by Terry D. Motion carried.

Financial Report

A financial statement through July 31, 2001 was distributed. Treasurer Randy Z. reported a balance of $47,540.61. Interest earned, dues contributions from Crystal Cabinets and East Central Energy and workshop payment from Supplementary School-To-Work grants were the receipts.

Disbursements for June/July were for executive director services. School-To-Work funds for Year V including Year IV carry-over were reported as $125,532.28 with expenditures of $522.23 and a balance of $125,010.05. Upon motion by Terry D., seconded by Joe H. the report was accepted and filed. Motion carried.

A question was raised about use and expenditure of funds in the School-To-Work grant as it nears the end. Ray H. explained reporting requirements and action needed to close out both the regular and the supplementary School-To-Work grants.

Annual Meeting and Organizing for 2001-02

Board Election: Nick Waldoch, Superintendent of Braham Area Schools was nominated to replace Darwin Bostic, Superintendent of Pine City Schools on the Board of Trustees. Motion was made by Terry D., seconded by John S. to make the change. Motion carried.

New Board Members: A suggestion was made to consider placing Crystal Cabinet representatives on Executive Committee. JoAnn Faust and Vicky Wills will be asked if they would serve at the August 14th Partnership meeting.

Officers Elected: Officers for 2001-02 were re-elected as follows: John N., President, Ted D., Vice-President, Secretary, Terry D. and Treasurer, Randy Z. John S. moved, seconded by Joe H. to accept existing slate of officers. Motion carried.

Review 2000-01 Goals and Begin Work Plan for 2001-02: The 2000-01 goals and work plan listed in the August 1, 2000 minutes of the Executive Committee were used to guide discussion leading to establishing goals and work plan for the upcoming year.

The discussion of the Executive Committee did not result in a defined set of goals or work plan to be presented at the Partnership meeting. Executive Committee members identified a number of efforts that should be continued. They included: 1. Continuing to co-sponsor the Employer Conference, 2. Manage, provide leadership and continue to serve as the governing body for the regional School-To-Work effort, 3. Maintain a Web Site to communicate efforts and products produced by the Partnership, 4. Continue to support existing and potential workforce development grants (retail standards, leadership training in health care, McKnight Foundation career advancement grant), 5. Assist in promoting the value and use of the Employability Skills Checklist as a way to demonstrate "soft skill" achievement as part of an individual's transcript or portfolio and 6. Focus on training by developing, making available or in some instances offering an array of offerings that meet training needs, that can be used at individual businesses, are timely and cost effective.

Suggestions made during discussion that members felt should be incorporated in work plan of Partnership were: 1. Invite employer groups to Partnership meetings and ask how we can assist and be of value to them, 2. Prepare and communicate list of successful training programs tried in region, 3. Co-sponsor training products, 4. Support and encourage available training programs in region (WorkForce Center, Cambridge Community College, Pine Technical College), 5. Use School-To-Work, Partnership and/grant funds to hire someone responsible for carrying-out focus on learning effort, 6. Important to remember that training needs to be affordable for businesses and 7. Consider providing some training electronically (NetLearning is an example and a program the committee is studying).

Employability Skills Checklist Review and Feedback

Ray H. reviewed the process used to update the checklist revised by area learning center/program and adult basic education staff who participated in a workshop funded by School-To-Work supplementary grant. Those who participated are in the process of getting individual feedback from local businesses, school staff and persons who volunteered at the Employer Conference. Workshop participants will present the revised checklist at the August Partnership meeting. Following the presentation the feedback obtained will be used to complete the checklist and put it to use in September.

Members asked how we might encourage more use of the checklist in high schools? This will also be discussed at the Partnership meeting.

Committee/Project Information

Members were given a quick update on status of committee and McKnight grant application.

Payment for Services of Executive Director

Terry D. moved and Joe H. seconded the payment for services provided by Executive Director in June and July for 6 days. Motion carried.

October Partnership Meeting

Discussed holding October 9th Partnership meeting at Pine Technical College with primary purpose being for members to learn about and see training programs and facilities available to students and area residents and businesses.

Agenda for Membership Meeting

The agenda for the partnership meeting was set as follows: 1. STW Report, 2. 2001-02 Goals and Work Plan 3. Employability Skills Checklist Presentation and Feedback, 4.Informational Reports and Sharing and 5. Location of October Partnership Meeting.

Adjournment

Vice-Chair Ted D. adjourned meeting at 8:35 a.m. so members could move to office area to view and participate in a conference call to learn about training program offered electronically by NetLearning.

NetLearning Demonstration

Wayne Stark, representative of NetLearning presented information via telephone speaker interfaced with Web Site. Technical problems accessing Web Site resulted in presentation and question and answer session via speakerphone.

The NetLearning program includes three area of focus that is briefly described. The first being a learning administrator software package that monitors training program, monitors cost, etc. The second is the student interface that allows students access to courses and testing program. The third portion is the actual curriculum or coursed offered. These are made available via third party contracts, reseller agreements, NetLearning or are courses that have been customized.

Members asked a number of questions about services and potential offerings. It became apparent that NetLearning can meet nearly any groups circumstance, however, the cost of each service was not discussed during this preliminary presentation. It was agreed to reschedule an actual course demonstration for the September Executive Committee meeting.

Minutes by Ray H.