Minutes of East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Meeting

January 13, 2004

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

In Attendance: Sharon Prahl, People Focus, Chris O. Miller, Oak Land Vocational, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Nick Waldoch, Braham Area Schools, Bridget Petersen, Greater MN Credit Union, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Inc., Natalie Kuehl, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training, Terry Dalbey, Cambridge WorkForce Center, Kathy Burski, Lakes & Pines, CAC, John Schlagel, Marty Harding, Communities Investing in Families, Darwin Bostic, Pine City Public Schools, Liz Templin, UofM Extension, Jan Austad, ARCC – Cambridge Campus, LuAnn Glieden, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training, Trish Taylor, WorkForce Investment Board, Mary Ann Straley, Princeton Public Schools and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Introductions: Guests Liz Templin, LuAnn Glieden and Trish Taylor were welcomed and introduced. Natalie Kuehl announced that Central Minnesota Jobs and Training has reorganized staff and that she will no longer serve this region. Joan Danielson, her colleague will be attending meetings in the future. Members expressed appreciation to Natalie for her interest and participation in the Partnership and wished her well in her new position. Jan Austad mentioned that she will represent ARCC – Cambridge Campus at Partnership meetings and was welcomed by members.

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of December 9, 2003 were approved upon motion by John S., seconded by Terry D. Motion carried.

Financial Report: Treasurer John S. reported a balance of $45,261.28. Revenue was from interest. Expenditure was for Executive Director services. Moved Nick W., seconded by Darwin B. to approve financial report. Motion carried.

Community Economic Programs from Minnesota Extension Service: Liz Templin, Regional Community Economics Educator for Northeast Minnesota presented information and shared materials about community economics programs available from the Minnesota Extension Service. The Northeast Minnesota region that she serves extends from Andover to the Canadian border.

Liz provided background information and that she and her colleagues provide statewide links to the University of Minnesota, specifically to bring research and faculty researchers out to the community. She gave several examples of how this has occurred in other communities and regions of the state. She mentioned using graduate students from the Humphrey Institute to give community assistance while they do research for their degree programs, doing business retention surveys, offering on-line business retention courses and showed the Atlas of Minnesota and its accompanying CD that allows businesses and communities to dig deeper into GIS information.

She spoke of Lee Munnich’s work on building upon like businesses in a community or region that focus on related product lines, example being recreational vehicles in NW Minnesota. She also mentioned courses available in customer service (Fergus Falls example) and a course on the nuts and bolts of e-commerce.

Liz T. circulated numerous booklets, brochures, papers and workshop notices that related to the information she spoke about and answered questions from the group. Chair John N. thanked her for the presentation.

HIB Training Grants: LuAnn Glieden of Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services presented information on H-1B Training Program grants. She said that the source of funds comes from the U.S. Labor Department from fees collected from companies utilizing H-1B visas to bring skilled foreign workers into the U.S. to perform high-skill jobs. The purpose of the H-1B Training Grants is to reduce the dependence of American companies on skilled workers from other countries.

She distributed a brochure that described a high-tech training grant that had been awarded in another part of the country. Her question to the group was “Is there a similar need for training in east central Minnesota?” A business representative said that 20% of his skilled employees will be retiring in next 15 years and that they find it almost impossible to get females into machining. Other ideas centered on IT, education and health care (although not a top priority for H-1B funding). Chair John N. asked that further discussion take place at the February meeting and thanked LuAnn G. for attending the meeting.

Employer Conference Planning: Marty H. told the group that the main speaker has been secured. Members shared ideas about the kind of direction that she should give the speaker. She discussed conference format and asked members for their thoughts on further defining the conference theme. By consensus members approved setting the conference fee at $55.00.

Individual breakout sessions were discussed. The majority of the sessions are set, however questions remain on several. Those set are “Wisdom of Community Involvement” – Ginger G., “DEED by Cameron Macht” – Nancy M., “Customer Service” – Liz T. and “How to be a Mentor” – Chris M. Those not finalized are “Employability Skills” – Marty H., “Learning Style Differences” – Jan A., “Fair Labor Standards” – Kathy B. and “Doing Business with the Band” – Robert M. Members in charge of those individual sessions will work with Marty H. on details.

Audit Follow-up – Act on Conflict of Interest/Recusals Policy: Bridget P. presented the policy and explained the disclosure form. Brief discussion ensued and it was agreed that the Executive Director would do record keeping outlined in policy. Marty H. moved, seconded by Chris M. to approve policy. Motion carried. Those present signed and returned forms acknowledging they received the policy.

Audit Follow-up – Act on Executive Director Agreement: Chair John N. distributed the agreement and briefed members on highlights. John S. moved, seconded by Terry D. to approve agreement. Motion carried.

Toyota Grant Update: Toyota Grant committee members distributed and discussed “Activity Planning Sheets” and “Toyota Grant Needs Statement.” They also gave a brief overview of the main points of the grant and what would be accomplished with the grant dollars. Ray H. said that more consultant time is needed to complete the grant. John S. moved, seconded by Ginger G. to make payment on first contract with Conifer Group and to authorize a second contract. Both contracts are for $1,000.00. Motion approved.

Executive Director Payment for Services: Upon motion by Ginger G., seconded by John S. members approved payment for two days for director services in December 2003. Motion carried.

Information sharing: Marty H. distributed “Congregations in Community” brochures and told of the upcoming conference on February 21, 2004. She encouraged members to promote the conference in their respective churches. Ginger G. informed members of the upcoming presentation by the Princeton Learning and Living Committee at the Minnesota Schools Boards winter conference. John N. told of recent strategic planning day and effort at Pine Technical College. Ray H. said he would be attending a follow-up meeting on the Economic Summit sponsored by the Mille Lacs Band.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be on February 10, 2004.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m. Minutes by Ray Hoheisel