Minutes of East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Meeting

 

March 14, 2007

 

Call to Order: Treasurer John S. called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m. and turned meeting over to Vice-Chair Ginger G. when she arrived at the meeting.

 

Welcome and Introductions: John S. welcomed Tony Thomann, 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., John Schlagel, Rita Borchert, Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services, Laurie Larson, WFC – Cambridge, Sharon Prahl, Communities Investing in Families, Terry Dalbey, MN DEED, Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Jordan Zeller, ECRDC, Bruce Novak, Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools, Steve Allen, Oak Land Cooperative, Craig Schultz, Braham Schools, Christy Flaspeter, Grandview Christian Ministries, Tony Thomann, Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services, Doug Conboy, Mora Schools, Bridget Petersen, Greater MN Credit Union, Beth Nelson, WFC Cambridge and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

 

Minutes: Bruce N. moved, seconded by Christy F. to approve minutes of January 9, 2007 Partnership meeting. Motion approved.

 

Financial Report: John S. gave the Treasurer’s report. The balance through February 28, 2007 was $23,780.83. Revenue was from interest and expenditures were for Executive Director services and payment of expenses for transportation and food for Gold Collar Career Day. Moved by Robert M., seconded by Jordan A. to approve report. Motion carried.

 

Executive Director Payment for Services: Upon motion by Robert M., seconded by Jordan Z. payment for 1 day in January and 2 days in February was made to Executive Director. Motion approved.

 

Adult Basic Education (ABE) Update: Angie S. gave the update. She said that ABE is using a new avenue to encourage people to upgrade their skills. She distributed cards resembling business cards that are designed to be used to advertise assistance ABE can give to better prepare individuals for today’s workplace. For example, job applicants lacking requisite workplace skills can be given a card and encouraged to work on improving their skills. Members asked how cards are being distributed and made several suggestions, i.e. Lakes and Pines and Family Pathways.

 

She also spoke to a MN DEED news release that told of a new workplace basic skills assessment being piloted by the Minnesota Department of Education, Adult Basic Education. ABE is testing this new assessment tool developed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce called the National Work Readiness Credential (NWRC). The pilot site will be the St. Paul ABE Hubbs Center in cooperation with DEED and Department of Education. The tool has the potential to be used to improve entry level workplace skills and give evidence of skill level attained to employers.

 

Review “Celebration of Success” Event: Ginger G. directed critique of “Celebration of Success” event held in February at Grand Events Center in Mora. She began by saying that it was an honor and privilege for Glenn Metalcraft, Inc. employees to present. Members commented that the event was very well done, Glenn Metalcraft, Inc. employees did an awesome job, which was enhanced and made whole by consultant, Barry Kirchoff’s analysis and comments. Several businesses that had planned to attend, but did not, called with regrets and wondered if the presentation had been taped. One member said that it was very helpful and would like to see it continue.

 

The consensus was that another event should be planned and discussed potential topics. Following discussion, Christy F., Grandview Christian Ministries was asked to present their new and successful “Injury Management Program.” She told of their success in reducing worker’s compensation claims and explained that the focus is not just a work, but a life issue. A major component of the plan is to assist and care about those injured and place them in meaningful work positions that take injuries into consideration. The next “Celebration of Success” event was tentatively set to be on May 8, 2007 at 7:30 a.m. at Grandview Christian Ministries” Heritage Center. A continental breakfast will be included, and planning for and carrying out the event will be repeated by the first event planning partners.

 

Legislative Affairs Focus on Technical Education in K-12: Robert M. updated members on the status of the Career and Technical Education legislation. He provided a brief history as to how we arrived at this point, basically discussing the Partnership meetings with area legislators and informational presentations by Dan Conroy, Superintendent’s Darwin B. and Bruce N. and from the MACTA legislative co-chairs. Those presentations and personal contacts Partnership members made with their legislators helped get this process started.

 

He said that at this point identical Career and Technical Education bills have or are scheduled to be heard in House and Senate Education committees. Local legislators, Rep. Faust and Eastlund and Sen. Olseen and Wergin are bill authors. Since the Senate hearing is scheduled for later this week, Robert M. recommended that, if possible, a business member from the Partnership attend the hearing and testify in support. Following discussion Ginger G. agreed to testify. Ray H. gave a brief report on the hearing he was at and shared the MACTA flyer legislators received at the hearing. Since Ray H. had testified at the House hearing he was asked to share his testimony with Ginger G. to serve as a guide.

 

Next members discussed the need to inform local school boards of the need for career and technical education. Superintendents were asked about the benefit of a Partnership presentation to each of the boards. While they felt this would be helpful and that it could be arranged, they recommended that the Partnership assist board members by giving them information to use when making contacts with legislators in support of the Career and Technical Education bills that have been proposed. The consensus of the group was that Ray H. put together a list of “Talking Points” that board members could use when they meet with their legislators. The list of “Talking Points” will be sent to superintendents, who in turn will give them to board members. A day at the Capitol for school board members is set for the end of March so this effort should prove timely.

 

Employer Conference Brochure Review and Healthcare Roundtable Promotion: Beth N. and Laurie L. gave a planning progress report and shared copies of the registration brochure. Partners had seen an electronic version of the brochure and were asked for feedback. Members expressed appreciation for the planning effort and content of the conference. Also requested was feedback on how to best promote attendance at the Healthcare Roundtable that will be moderated by Susan Speetzen, DEED. Members also gave ideas about topics to be addressed at the Roundtable.

 

Adjournment and Minutes: The meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m. Minutes by Ray Hoheisel