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

In Attendance: Nick Waldoch, Braham School District #314, Terry Dalbey, Mora/Cambridge WorkForce Center, Marty Harding, Communities Investing in Families, JoAnn Faust, Crystal Cabinets, Vicky Wills, Crystal Cabinets, Susan Merritt, Communities Investing in Families/Pine Technical College, Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Sharon Prahl, Team Industries Inc., Angie Lightner, Connie Hockert, East Central Energy, Kathy Ferrin, Mora High School, Andy Winsor, Cambridge County Market, Dick Young, Oak Land Vocational, Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti Schools, John Schlagel, Natalie Kuehl, CMJTS, Kathi Schaff, Cambridge Chamber, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Rise Employment Innovations, Gary Campbell, Minnesota Technology and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Introductions: Chair John N. had those present introduce themselves.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of February 12, 2002 were approved upon motion by John S. seconded by Robert M. Motion carried. The Executive Committee minutes of March 5, 2002 were distributed.

View Video and See Guide for "Retail Sales Associate Orientation and Training for High School Students": John N. and Ray H. gave overview and background of Retail Sales Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership grant. They told how Retail Sales Associate Training Class was developed and implemented at Cambridge-Isanti High School. The interest in continuing the class and expanding its use to other communities led to the production of the video and guide. School-To-Work Supplementary grant funds meant to introduce the notion of using national skill standards to guide instruction were used to produce the guide and video.

A copy of the guide was distributed for review and members watched the 27-minute video. The guide and video are available to business people in the region interested in offering the training class. There was favorable reaction to the video and comments about the class from those present who have been involved in the classes and production of the guide. It was suggested that Roger Hughes of Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership see the video and guide. Kathi S. said she would share the video at a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce conference scheduled for this spring.

Employer Conference: Marty H. distributed Employer Conference brochures. Brochures have been mailed to past conference participants. Terry D. said the Mora WorkForce Center is mailing brochures to regional businesses. Members were asked to sign-up and take brochures to distribute at meetings they will be attending. Personal contact is the best way to encourage attendance, so members were asked to be proactive conference supporters.

School-To-Work Report: Ray H. told the group that the Supplementary School-To-Work grant cycle ends on March 31, 2002. He said the goal of the grant was to provide electronic access for career planning and development to alternative and adult basic education students and introduce the concept of using national skill standards in instruction. The goals and activities proposed in the grant request have been completed and a final grant report is due on March 31, 2002. Kathy F. of Mora told that grant funds were used to hold a Career Fair at Mora High School. She said that 300 students attended the Fair and 40 businesses made themselves available to the students during the Fair. It was very successful.

Executive Committee Report: John N. used the March 5, 2002 Executive Committee minutes to tell about decisions made at the last meeting. The committee has decided to meet every other month now that the School-To-Work grant is winding down. Planning for Partnership meetings will be based on action plans to accomplish the written goals of the Partnership. It will need to be done in advance for at least two monthly meetings following each Executive Committee meeting. To serve as a catalyst for workforce development in the region will continue to be the primary focus of the Partnership, which means that current effort and scope of activity will be maintained.

Supporting Career and Technical Education: John N. told members that the April Partnership meeting would be devoted to meeting the goal "To be a visible and vocal advocate for career and technical education on a local, regional and statewide level."

The April meeting will be used for fact finding and gathering background information. Members spent considerable time discussing what should be accomplished at the April meeting and the best format to use in the fact-finding mission.

Dan Smith of Children, Families and Learning will attend the meeting and give the state perspective and plans for career and technical education. Area superintendents will be asked to present historical perspective and current status of career and technical education opportunities available to students in their respective districts. Nick W. agreed to contact superintendents and invite them to participate.

Information Items: Robert M. was asked to share good news regarding Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership grants. Two grants totaling $570,000.00 were awarded to Pine Technical College and business partners. The grants were for virtual reality welding training with partners Cambridge Metals and Plastic and Schlagel Inc. and for in-house training in metal forming at Metalmatic Inc.

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

Minutes by Ray H.