Minutes of East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Meeting

 

June 8, 2004

 

Call to Order: Chair John Norris called the meeting to order at 7:10 a.m.

 

In Attendance: Sharon Prahl, People Focus & Cargo Box, Sara Treiber, ECRDC, Christy Flaspeter, Grandview, Chris Miller, Oak Land, Dennis Tollefson, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Nancy Mach, Pine Technical College, John Schlagel, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Steve Hallan, ECMECC, Bridget Peterson, Greater Minnesota Credit Union and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

 

Welcome: John N. welcomed Steve Hallan, ECMECC Director to the meeting.

 

Minutes: Partnership meeting minutes of May 11, 2004 were approved upon motion by Chris M., seconded by Christy F. Motion carried.

 

Financial Report: Treasurer John S. reported a balance of $38,408.50. Revenue was from interest. Expenditure was for Executive Director services. Moved by Nancy M., seconded by Sharon P. to approve financial report. Motion carried.

 

Video Conferencing Demonstration, Use and Applications: Steve Hallan, ECMECC Director demonstrated video conferencing capabilities available in the region. He stated that video conferencing started in 1983-84 with the advent of two-way interactive TV. He pointed out that this was prior to the widespread availability of FAX machines. He gave examples of present use: Braham Spanish teacher with students in Baudette, Pine Technical College American Sign Language teacher who spends entire day teaching students in distant locations (Willmar and other western MN communities) and holding statewide meetings with no travel.

 

To demonstrate system Steve H. placed a call to Mike Z. who serves as an end points coordinator. Members saw and spoke to Mike Z. in his office. He said that there are 450 end points in Minnesota. Mike Z. demonstrated camera control from the remote site and showed the various split screen options available.

 

Steve H. also told of former Pine City student who is a weed scientist who is researching DNA in milkweed plants. On one occasion he demonstrated the use of electronic microscopes to eventually determine weed resistance of Round-Up. This is brought to current Pine City students via video conferencing.

 

He told of the equipment necessary to do video conferencing and gave the range of costs for a workable system. He recommended that interested businesses start slow and offered to assist in arranging for their video conferences. No costs would be assessed if the current IP system could be used to make the connection, other than room reservation costs at some locations. He explained the international capabilities and gave examples of current international uses (connects with Japan, Australia, Sweden). Perhaps the most significant development over time has been the improvement in microphones and technology to suppress feedback.

 

Business members asked Steve H. to list steps they would need to take in order to conduct video conferences, along with a variety of other questions. Steve H. can be contacted at 320-396-3674 with his direct line being 5211. John N. and members thanked Steve H. for his presentation.

 

Employer Conference Follow-up: Financial wrap-up and official planning for next year’s conference will be on August agenda due to Marty H. not being present. Members who did not attend the May Partnership meeting reflected on the value of the conference on a personal level. It was decided that their sentiments be reflected in the planning process for next year.

 

Toyota Foundation USA Grant Application: Ray H. reported that the grant application has been submitted to Toyota Foundation USA. St. Francis Schools decided not to participate so grant and budget revisions were made to reflect that change. The dollar amount submitted was $246,792.00

 

Manufacturing and Business Needs in Industrial, Vocational and Technology Education: Nancy M. said that a planning meeting involving staff from Pine Technical College and Cambridge-Isanti High School was held last week, but was not aware of details.

 

Executive Director Payment for Services and Expenses: Upon motion by Bridget P., seconded by Nancy M., members approved payment for two days for director services in May 2004. Motion carried.

 

Information Sharing: Bridget P. informed group of position opening for HR Director at MINNCO Credit Union and gave contact name and number. Christy F. said that Grandview Christian Ministries and Cambridge Medical Center submitted a Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership grant application in April 2004. They are scheduled to make presentations about the grant to the review board. The grant involves training for safe patient transfer and to meet “no lift” requirements of the Medical Center. Dennis T. stated that healthcare providers in Chisago County are discussing a grant that would encourage careers in healthcare, focusing on high school students and males. Anyone interested in joining the effort should contact Dennis T.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m. Minutes by Ray Hoheisel