E.U.P. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Preliminary Minutes

December 7, 2006

The E.U.P. Workforce Development Board Meeting was held at the Best Western in Sault Ste. Marie.  Workforce Development Board President Jill Hazel called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.

Workforce Development Board Members Present:

Tony Bosbous
Gary Deuman
Shirley Farnquist
Henry Guzzo
Joe Halvorsen
Jill Hazel
Jeff Holt
Aaron Hopper
Jennifer Storey (Alt)
Sandee Raappana
Dave Ramsay
Pat Shimmens
Susan Sliger
Ken Smith
John Ufer
Vicky Wagner
David Weber

Workforce Development Board Members Absent:

David Goldthorpe
Aaron Tadgerson
Barbara Weber

Bold names denote private sector.

Guests Present:

Carol Boger
Ed DeTour
Leisa Mansfield
Bruce Vaisanen

Staff Present:

Gwen Worley
Kim Wilcox
Dave Murray

There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.

The minutes of the October 19, 2006 , Workforce Development Board Meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Tony Bosbous and support by Pat Shimmens.

As Ernie Maas has resigned from the Workforce Development Board and the Education Advisory Group, a data change in the EAG membership is needed.  A representative of the WDB is a requirement of the EAG membership composition.  Gary Deuman is currently a member of the EAG representing a local school district.  It is recommended that he serve on the Education Advisory Group as a WDB representative as there are other EAG members representing the local school district.  This change would meet the membership requirements for this Group.  Shirley Farnquist moved to approve the data change of having Gary Deuman represent the Workforce Development Board on the Education Advisory Group.  Aaron Hopper supported.  Motion passed.

Leisa Mansfield, Director of the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce, provided a presentation on Dr. Ernesto Sirolli’s Enterprise Facilitation Model.  Director Worley and a few other WDB members were able to hear his presentation at the UP Economic Summit earlier in the year.  Dr. Sirolli’s idea is to develop businesses in small communities by growing current businesses rather than having to rely on an industry to provide economic development in rural areas.  As his presentation was well received at the Summit , the possibility of a presentation in the Eastern Upper Peninsula was discussed.  Because the cost to have his presentation is over $10,000, other area agencies may want to combine finances in order to bring him here.  Tony Bosbous mentioned that the City of Sault Ste. Marie is currently looking into a different speaker who may be at a lower cost.  Mike McCarthy provides enterprise facilitation presentation and also has ties to the Sault Ste. Marie area.  A general discussion of the merits of enterprise facilitation followed.  Director Worley indicated that she will look into background information from other areas which have used Dr. Sirolli’s presentation and ideas.  She will also contact the City Manager regarding Mike McCarthy’s presentation.

Dave Murray, Community Corrections Coordinator, described the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative.  It is anticipated that the State will expand the Prisoner Re-Entry Pilot Programs statewide within the next fiscal year.  This program assists former offenders in establishing productive lives by providing employment assistance, housing and substance abuse prevention.  The comprehensive plan and organizing the program will be in partnership with the Department of Corrections.  At this time, the State is considering the entire Upper Peninsula as one region and would like one coordinator in place by January 2007.  The comprehensive plan and application for funding is due May 2007.  The E.U.P. Michigan Works! may be the fiduciary agent for this region’s program.  Final implementation of this initiative is anticipated by October 2007.  Director Worley will provide updates as this program develops.

Several informational items were reviewed.

As there was no new or old business, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. following a motion by Jeff Holt and support by Ken Smith.

                Signed                                                                         1/18/07

            President                                                                      Date Approve

    E.U.P. Workforce Development Board

Prepared by Kim Wilcox