Present

Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Jason Spaeth, Pine Technical College, JoAnn Faust, Crystal Cabinet Works, Vicky Wills, Crystal Cabinet Works, Terry Dalbey, Mora/Cambridge WorkForce Center, Dick Young, Oak Land Vocational, John Schlagel, Sara Treiber, ERDC, Nancy Mach, Pine Technical College, Greg Carlson, Grandview, Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti Schools, Sharon Prahl, Team Industries, Inc., Marty Harding, Communities Investing in Families, Nick Waldoch, Braham Public Schools, Darwin Bostic, Pine City Schools and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director, ECMWF Partnership.

Call to Order

Acting Chair Terry D. called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.

Minutes

Minutes of the January 8, 2002 Executive Committee meeting were approved upon motion by John S., seconded by Dick Y. Motion carried.

Financial Report

A financial report through January 31, 2002 was distributed. Executive Director Ray H. reported a balance of $66,659.09. Interest earned and dues contribution from Grandview Christian Ministries were the receipts. Expenditures were for checks, state filing fees, accountant fees and Executive Director Services.

School-To-Work funds for Year V including Year IV carry-over were reported as $125,532.28 with expenditures of $52,686.57 and a balance of $72,845.71. Upon motion by John S., seconded by Nancy M. the report was accepted and filed. Motion carried.

Implementation Grant Approval

A School-To-Work Implementation grant request was received from Isle. The Isle request was for $3,000 for purchasing ports and staff training using NovaNet, for career exploration, planning and development.

Moved by Darwin B., seconded by John S. to approve implementation grant. Carried.

Planning Session

Marty H. was introduced as facilitator for the planning session. An agenda and resource material for the planning session was distributed.

Ice-Breaker and Description of Partnership

Introductions were made during this session. As part of the introductions participants were asked to give a one-word description that best fits the partnership. The following words were used to describe the partnership: relationship building, cooperation, dynamic, dedication, voluntarism, opportunity, collaboration, interaction, early in the morning, teamwork, enthusiasm, exciting and catalytic.

Review of January 8, 2002 Partnership Minutes

Participants were asked to review the minutes of the January 8, 2002 meeting as background for a review of the Mission, Vision and Values statements.

Review and Redrafting of Mission and Goals

Marty H. led group through series of activities that had participants review mission and goals. Those activities resulted in an updated mission statement and a draft list of goals as follows.

MISSION

To identify, create, develop and retain a motivated and qualified workforce in East Central Minnesota through a dynamic partnership between business, industry, public and private agencies, PK-12 and higher education.

GOALS

Training

1. To promote employee training for incumbent workers through

n Community education

n Higher education/Customized training

n Formal and informal employer training cooperatives

n Mentor training

n Workforce support teams

2. To develop new workers by sustaining School-To-Work initiatives such as

n Job shadowing

n Registered youth apprenticeships

n Retail sales associate training

n Basic skill development

n Emphasize soft skills measured by Employability Skill Checklist

n Academic and attendance review per high school transcripts

3. To motivate employers to recognize the value of workforce training and provide training opportunities for employees.

4. To help identify training needs and help secure resources (grants) and support funding opportunities related to workforce development.

5. To be a visible and vocal advocate for career and technical education.

Networking

1. To maintain an organizational structure that can respond to opportunities and workforce development needs in a timely manner.

2. To emphasize the connections between education and work for learners and staff by school/work experiences with business/industry.

3. To develop the mechanisms for communications between business, industry,

public and private agencies, PK-12 and higher education.

n Employer conference

n School-To-Work type activities

Communications & Marketing

1. Actively promote partnership visibility in all East Central Minnesota communities.

Vision Statement and "Doing" and "Like to Do" List

Work on a revised vision statement was started as well as the tabulation of what participants felt the partnership had done or would like to see it accomplish. Suggested vision statements follow. The "Doing" and "Like to Do" list is printed separate from the minutes.

n A partnership that supports lifelong learning for both employees and employers.

n Employers and employees will work together to achieve their highest potential. This will result in competitive businesses, full employment and a great quality of life in East Central Minnesota

n To serve as a catalyst where employers and workers partner to create a workplace where people are supported in reaching their greatest potential and collectively attaining economic success.

Partnership Meeting

Participants recommended continuing the planning session at the February 12 Partnership meeting by working on developing an action plan to accomplish a selected goal over the next 6 months.

Adjournment and Minutes

The meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m. with minutes by Ray H.