Minutes of East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Meeting

December 10, 2002

Call to Order: Chair John N. called the meeting to order at 7:07 a.m.

In Attendance: Nick Waldoch, Braham School District #314, Susan Merritt, Communities Investing in Families/Pine Technical College, Sharon Prahl, Consultant, Ken Runberg, Cambridge-Isanti Schools, John Schlagel, Marty Harding, Communities Investing in Families, Kathi Schaff, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Bridget Petersen, Greater Minnesota Credit Union, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft Inc., Chris O. Miller, Oak Land Vocational, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Dick Young, Natalie Kuehl, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Terry Dalbey, WorkForce Centers, Greg Carlson, Grandview, Jason Spaeth, Pine Technical College, Vicky Wills, Crystal Cabinet Works, JoAnn Faust, RISE Innovations, Lois Munsterteiger, RISE Innovations, Sean Nienow, Senate District 17, Rob Eastlund, House District 17A, Darwin Bostic, Pine City Schools, Nancy Mach, Pine Technical College, Judy Soderstrom, House District 8B, Doris Mork, Judy Soderstrom Staff and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Introductions: Chair John N. welcomed legislators, thanked them for coming and asked members to introduce themselves.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of November 12, 2002 were approved upon motion by Robert M., seconded by John S. Motion carried.

Career and Technical Education Presentation and Discussion With Area Legislators: John N. reviewed information about the purpose of the Partnership and highlighted a chronological history that was outlined on a handout that was distributed. He also spoke of the major accomplishments of the Partnership over its 8-year history.

Since the focus of the meeting was advocating for career and technical education opportunities for K-12 students, Ray H presented examples of how schools and employers cooperate to give students hands on opportunities to assist them with career planning and exploration. Examples were listed from most of the communities involved with the East Central School-To-Work Partnership and members gave other examples from their respective viewpoint or communities.

Nick W. presented and discussed the “Help Wanted” power point presentation. Members of the Partnership assisted him. Following the presentation legislators responded with their thoughts and questions. There seemed to be general consensus that this is an important issue. John N. requested that legislators keep the information in mind as they deliberate and determine state policy. Legislators told members that they were interested in finding solutions to “problems or areas of concern” and that they welcomed ideas how goals could be accomplished in new and changed ways, especially in light of the state financial situation.

The presentation and discussion took nearly the entire meeting time. John N. closed the discussion by thanking the legislators for their willingness to hear member concerns about diminishing career and technical educational opportunities for K-12 students in east central Minnesota.

Approve Signatures and Application Fee for 2001 Charitable Organization Annual Report: Upon motion by Ginger G., seconded by John S. approval was granted for officers to sign and attach application fee for respective report. Motion carried.

Approve Payment of Services for Executive Director for October and November: Upon motion by Terry D., seconded by Robert M. payment was authorized for 4 days in October and 3 days in November. Motion carried.

Regional Planning Proposals: Robert M. and Natalie K. distributed information about letters of intent for regions to participate in regional workforce planning efforts. More details about the proposals will be forthcoming from the state and will be discussed at the January Partnership meeting.

Information Sharing: Marty H. distributed Employer Conference advertising cards and asked members to take a supply and distribute them in their communities. She also distributed a flyer advertising the upcoming Congregations in Community 2003 Conference on January 25, 2003 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Braham and asked that members give a copy to their respective churches for inclusion in church bulletins. Ray H. briefly commented on Minnesota Future Work Scan papers he distributed. He also shared Sara Treiber’s request for a representative of the Partnership to meet with Senator Dayton on December 30, 2002 at 3:30 p.m. at the ECRDC office in Mora to discuss economic development concerns of the region. Ray H. was asked to attend.

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

Minutes by Ray Hoheisel