Minutes of East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Meeting

 

January 9, 2007

 

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

 

Welcome and Introductions: John N. welcomed Mary Redfield, Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services to the meeting. Members introduced themselves.

 

In Attendance: Angie Sanders, Braham, Cambridge-Isanti, Mora, Princeton ABE Consortium, Ginger Glenn, Glenn Metalcraft, Inc., Sarah Anderson, Schlagel Inc., John Schlagel, John Norris, Atscott Mfg., Mary Redfield, Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services, Laurie Larson, WFC – Cambridge, Sharon Prahl, Communities Investing in Families and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

 

Minutes: John S. moved, seconded by Sarah A. to approve minutes of December 12, 2006 Partnership meeting. Motion approved.

 

Financial Report: The treasurer’s balance for December 31, 2006 was $24,326.61. Revenue was from interest and expenditures were for Executive Director services and mileage, charitable organization fee, accountant fee and web site maintenance. Moved by John S., seconded by Angie S. to approve report. Motion carried.

 

Executive Director Payment for Services: Upon motion by John S., seconded by Angie S. payment for 1 day was made to Executive Director. Motion approved.

 

Gold Collar Career Day Evaluation and Thank You: Copies of an evaluation summary and a thank you note to those who helped with the day were distributed and discussed. It was pointed out that 120+ students attended the third annual Gold Collar Career Day at Pine Technical College. The 115 students who completed evaluation forms were mostly positive about their experience. During discussion it was noted that tour at Atscott Mfg. would be more productive if number of students per tour were smaller. Ray H. mentioned that he will be sending evaluation results to grant provider ECM Publisher’s Community Fund. A member wondered if site for Career Day could be alternated so tours could be done at Princeton businesses. Ginger G. told of business tour opportunities for Princeton teachers and during their summer festival. Both have been very well received.

 

Legislative Affairs Focus on Technical Education in K-12: Individual members weighed in with their perception of legislative meeting and presentations. One member stated that the presentations gave a sense of urgency to the issue. Another was pleased with the attentiveness and interest of all the legislators and noted that an individual legislator has stepped forward to support and author a bill if one is drafted. A suggestion was made to consider meeting with legislators on an annual basis and if that is the case spend time to evaluate what worked well. It was decided that as the legislative session progresses letters of support be prepared that can be personalized and sent by individual businesses on their stationery to their respective legislators.

 

The issue of local school district control of spending was discussed. It was suggested that local school boards be informed by Partnership members as to the impact lack of skilled technical workers have on local business and communities in general. It was suggested that portions of each of the presentations given at the December Partnership meeting be given at a future Partnership meeting (invite school board representatives) or at school board meetings. Area superintendents will be contacted asking what would be most effective. Contacted will be Mark Sleeper, Princeton (Ginger G.), Bruce Novak, Cambridge-Isanti (Sarah A.), Doug Conboy, Mora (Sarah A.), Craig Schultz, Braham and Darwin Bostic, Pine City (John N.). Ray H. will draft a letter summarizing this discussion to be used by those contacting the superintendents.

 

Plan “Celebration of Success” Event: Laurie L. asked members to review and critique a proposed registration flyer for the event. Members made several suggestions, flyers will reflect those suggestions. Also, Mary R. explained the goals of sponsors, other than the Partnership. The “Celebration of Success” event will be on February 13, 2007 at the Grand Events Center in Mora from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Following a free breakfast, Rich Prescott and Glen Youngbauer of Glenn Metalcraft, Inc. will share their company’s success with employee leadership teams and a profit sharing plan. They will share successes and failures, tested strategies and ways for other businesses to implement these plans. Tim Zipoy, from the Monticello Work Force Center will facilitate discussion following the presentation.

 

Invitations will be delivered in person by Cambridge – Work Force Center staff who are in regular contact with area businesses and some will be mailed. Ray H. was asked to let Partnership members know that the event will be in lieu of the February meeting and to extend a special invitation to all Partnership members to attend.

 

Adjournment and Minutes: The meeting adjourned at 8:35a.m. Minutes by Ray Hoheisel