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MICHWORKS-UPNORTH.ORG

E.U.P. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Preliminary Minutes  

March 15, 2007

The E.U.P. Workforce Development Board Meeting was held at Studebaker’s Restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie.  The meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. by Workforce Development Board President Jill Hazel. 

Workforce Development Board Members Present:

Carol Boger
Gary Deuman
Shirley Farnquist
Henry Guzzo
Jill Hazel
Jeff Holt
Aaron Hopper
Kathy Langhals
Sandee Raappana
Pat Shimmens
Susan Sliger
Ken Smith
John Ufer

Workforce Development Board Members Absent:

Tony Bosbous
Dave Ramsay
Barbara Weber
David Weber

Bold names denote private sector.

Guest Present:

Rick Conklin

Staff Present:

Gwen Worley
Kim Wilcox

There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.

The minutes of the January 18, 2007 , Workforce Development Board Meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Jeff Holt and support by Gary Deuman.

Director Worley described the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative Proposal and Budget for the Upper Peninsula .  The Eastern Upper Peninsula will be the fiduciary agent of the plan and will also be responsible in developing the plan for the Eastern and Central UP.    The Western UP’s plan will be added to the Eastern and Central UP’s to create a peninsula-wide plan.   The MPRI Planning Funds total $41,400.

This community-based program assists former offenders in establishing productive lives by providing employment assistance, housing, substance abuse prevention, and other services as appropriate.  The Administrative Board approved this plan and budget at their meeting on February 20, 2007 .  Pat Shimmens moved to approve the MPRI Plan and Budget as submitted.  John Ufer supported.  Motion passed.

The Michigan Works! System Plan was reviewed.  This plan describes the method of operation of the Michigan Works! office.  Director Worley noted that this plan indicates that the WDB supports that the Consortium staff will serve as the One Stop Center Operator.  It also allows the WDB to designate Director Worley to act as an authorized signatory to sign plans and modifications in the absence of the Workforce Development Board President.  John Ufer moved to approve the Michigan Works! System Plan and to designate Director Worley to act as the signatory of plan and modifications in the WDB President’s absence.  Kathy Langhals supported.  Motion passed.

Workforce Development Board Members Henry Guzzo and Susan Sliger each provided a brief summary of their backgrounds and occupations.  Henry Guzzo is a Financial Advisor at Hantz Financial Services.  In addition to his educational background, he also described some of the activities sponsored by Hantz Financial Services.  Susan Sliger is the Human Resources Manager at War Memorial Hospital .  She provided an update of the current and future plans of the hospital including the construction in the Radiology Department and the Smoke Free Hospital Initiative.

Rick Conklin, Transition Coordinator at Northern Transitions, provided a presentation of the Student Transition Fair which is to be held on April 17-18. The main focus of his position is to assist special education students in the transition from school to the workforce.  He noted that there are currently approximately 800 special education students in the E.U.P. and that most of these students stay in the area.  This is the eighth annual Student Fair and it is geared toward goal-oriented learning.  Parents and students will be provided with information including, but not limited to, high school graduation requirements, career options, support agencies, and work options.  The Transitional Program and his enthusiasm of his position were well received by Workforce Development Board Members.

Director Worley briefly described the information included in the WDB packet regarding current local and statewide workforce issues.  Pat Shimmens also distributed material received from the Council for Labor and Economic Growth.  Workforce Development Board Members were asked to review the materials as time will be set aside at the next WDB meeting to address any questions or concerns.

Several informational items were reviewed.

There was no new business.

Under old business, Gary Deuman, Director of the Career Center , provided an update of the Robotics Team and also distributed the Career Center ’s Program Catalog to members.

The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. after a motion by Jeff Holt and support by John Ufer.

                   Signed                                                                                               5/17/07

                Jill Hazel, President                                                                          Date Approved

          E.U.P. Workforce Development Board

Prepared by Kim Wilcox