Minutes of Meeting
Of the Regional Workforce Board
For Indiana Region 9

Ivy Tech Community College
Lawrenceburg, IN
June 20, 2008

I. Welcome and Introductions

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 am by Vice Chair Yount.

Board Members present: Board Members absent:
Beth Blasdel Rick Bryant
Mike Rowland Larry Cummins
Carla Enzinger Ron Timms
Rene Stivers
Don Heiderman Board Staff Present
Jackie Hill Angela Black
Jeanie Scofield Barbara Kemp
John Burnett Connie Berry
Patti Yount Kirk Kuhn
Marty Hon Doug Jones
Bob Tedesco Carla Crowe
Jim Battin
Bart Brown
Mark Bryson

Quorum Present

After calling the meeting to order, Vice Chair Yount welcomed and introduced the guests to the meeting which included Molly Dodge and Margo Olson of RVR; Randy Johann with Ivy Tech; Jack Head and Denise Knueven with Purdue; Jeff Schroerer and Ed Stawicki with EcO15; Teresa Begley with Ivy Tech; Bebe Kinnett with Absolute Consulting and Gregg Sinders Jefferson County Commissioner.

II. Discussion/Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

The minutes from the May 16, 2008 meeting were reviewed. Upon review Patti Yount noted one error; Ms. Yount’s name was left off as an attendee. Rene Stivers motioned to accept the minutes with the requested revision. Carla Enzinger seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

III. Additional Activities of Board Leadership

By-Laws
Ms. Yount is asking if we can change the By-Laws to create another position, an “Immediate Past Chair” position. Our current Chairman Ron Timms will fill this position as of July 1, 2008. Ms. Yount asked that Connie Berry look into the legal requirements of having “standing rules” or do suggestions like this need to be incorporated into the By-Laws. Not foreseeing any legal issues Ms. Yount asked for a motion to accept this new position. Don Heiderman motioned to accept the Immediate Past Chair position, John Burnett seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Committees
Ms. Yount stated currently we have only two committees, the Financial Committee and the Executive Committee. The Board will be merging those two committees and creating several new ones. As of July 1, 2008 members of this Executive/Finance Committee will be Patti Yount Chairperson, Beth Blasdel Vice-Chair, Don Heiderman Secretary, Ron Timms Immediate Past Chair and Mike Rowland.

The Board will now have a Youth Committee with Carla Enzinger and Rick Bryant to serve as co-chairs. This committee will assist with Project Lead the Way, EcO15 as it applies to Youth programs and the Indiana Youth Institute. Mark Bryson will assist with this committee and will also be working with Jobs for Americas Graduates (JAG). The goal of this committee is to provide recommendations on how we use youth dollars and how we can get additional funding for our youth.

Jackie Hill and Rene Stivers will head our Economic Development Committee. This committee will be the Boards communication with the two current Economic Groups in our counties, I64 Core and Southeast Indiana Economic Development. Kathy Ertel and Vickie Kellerman have offered to serve on this committee also.

John Burnett, Jeanie Scofield and Jim Battin will be our Education Committee. They will continue to develop ideas and assist with the States plans on increasing the education and training available to individuals in our counties.

Molly Dodge of RVR will be our Marketing individual. These committees do not need to meet once a month. Ms. Yount asked for a motion to accept this new committee structure. Mike Rowland motioned to accept the new committees, Don Heiderman seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Ms. Yount explained that Ms. Dodge prepared a press release stating that Region 9 has selected Reach for the new Regional Operator and that RVR has been retained for an additional year. This has also been posted on the Indiana Region 9 Workforce Board’s website.

Ms. Yount also stated that we need to make sure we are on top of Greensburg, Batesville and Brownstown in getting Project Lead the Way in by the fall. Ms. Yount asks that Mark Bryson work with Jackie Hill, Carla Enzinger, Beth Blasdel and Terri Schultz on this. Find out what funding is needed, can we use Perkins dollars or do we need to request from another funding source. Angie Black has a list from the schools and will provide this information to the Youth Committee.

IV. Doug Jones / Financial Report

Carla Crowe handed out the financial information through May 2008. Mr. Jones stated we are currently working on the June close out and would like to give a detailed presentation either at the July or August Board meeting. Mr. Jones wanted to note that next years allocation goal is to change all the WorkOne leases to the Board’s name. This is a work in progress and some funds in the budget will be moved back into RVR’s budget line until we officially move those rents over. Bart Brown explained that another item that was brought up at the Finance Committee meeting is to provide cell phone for some of the DWD employees. A good example of this need is the current emergency relief that is occurring in some of our counties. The DWD staff are out there assisting individuals and having to use their personal cell phones. Patti Yount stated if we agree to purchase these cell phones, we will need to create a policy for the use of those cell phones. Ms. Yount asked Connie Berry to create a cell phone policy for the WorkOne employees. The Regional Operator budget has changed, keeping Connie Berry on staff, and Kirk Kuhn’s position will now be paid through the Business Consultant funds and not WIA dollars. We have agreed to increase RVR’s budget for Molly Dodge and Margo Olson’s time. With all these changes and additions we are still below what we previously were paying. Another increase is on the training, we saw an increase for true training up to $200,000 this still leaves the Board with $300,000 for any new initiatives. Bart Brown stated this does not include the transition funds, we have not, nor will we spend all those funds. The State is still going through the remaining discretionary funds. The Board did send their request in and still have not had any funds set aside for integration. The Board is using it’s our own money for this; and we will try to get as much back as possible. The State has set aside $6,000,000 for integration and they are looking at a 50/50 match. Ms. Yount asked if this budget reflects the new CAA funds of $93,000. Mr. Jones said no, but we will add that in. Mr. Jones stated if there is no other questions, than a motion to accept the budget, including approving the allocation of increase funds for dislocated worker, in that, whatever the State approves we have permission to add to the Service Provider’s budget, is requested. Beth Blasdel motioned to accept the budget as presented. Don Heiderman seconded the motion. Motion carried.

V. Jack Head / Purdue

Mr. Head gave a presentation on the Masters of Science and Technology program that Purdue will be bringing to Columbus, IN this fall. It’s a weekend masters program with three weekends per semester, the rest will be on line. It has been marketed quite heavily and there are a few seats left. Total cost is $4,500 per semester which is all inclusive. Denise Knueven will send Barbara Kemp the information to send out to all on our contact list.

VI. John Burnett / EcO15

Mr. Burnett wanted to thank Jim Battin for all his hard work. Mr. Burnett believes of all the things this Board has accomplished EcO15 is the most powerful as far as dollar investment. Jeff Schroerer EcO15 Regional Coordinator is here and the first 6 month report is now due. We currently have 9 of the 10 County agreements signed. And we should have 7 out of the 10 County Coordinator positions filled by July 1, 2008. Mr. Schroerer has been doing a fantastic job in getting out there and assisting the County Coordinators. The Regional team members so far are Jeanie Scofield, Advanced Manufacturing Representative and Ed Stawicki, EcO15 Director. The Marketing/Communication position is still open. This is a critical position and should be filled soon. Mr. Burnett stated that we have had the first Advisory Committee meeting and the next meeting will be in September. Patti Yount and Jon Bond have volunteered to serve as Co Chairs on this committee. The Health Care plan is in the developmental stages and we are working with Ivy Tech’s, IUPUC, C4 and SCC on how those mobile labs will be deployed for continuing education in the future. Mr. Burnett explained he has met with Jim Helms and began discussions for the Hospitality/Tourism section of EcO15.

VII. Jim Battin / DIDI

Jim Battin gave a brief presentation on Dream It Do It. He is meeting with the Dream It Do It High School Champions June 3 – 5, 2008. The new County Coordinators have met with their DIDI HS Champions. As of today 60000 people attended some sort of career awareness activity in region 9.

VIII. Bart Brown / Reach

Mr. Brown explained that he and Dean Fraser visited Region 3 WorkOne in Fort Wayne, IN. They were impressed with the structure and believe the State will assist in restructuring our WorkOnes. Region 9’s Integration starts July 1, 2008 and DWD knows that we are still learning so there is time to get all the kinks out. Mr. Brown would like to thank DWD and the Arbor staff, especially Bebe Kinnett and Connie Berry, for all their help with the Integration process.

Kirk Kuhn, Dean Fraser and Mark Bryson will be attending the NWA conference in July along with Molly Dodge and Margo Olson of RVR. If any Board member would like to attend we have all the necessary registration information.

We are currently working on organizing a Board retreat. We would like to have a facilitator look at what the Board currently has in place and set an action plan for the next two to three years. Molly Dodge is organizing this for us and is looking at late August/September depending on schedules.

IX. Gregg Sinders / LEO

Mr. Sinders would like to give an evaluation on the Board’s performance. WOW, thanks for staying the distance. Our challenge was to connect education plus workforce to equal economic development. And this is something we have and are continuing to accomplish. Mr. Sinders suggests the Board take a look at Fort Wayne’s website, one thing they have done when focusing on education they bring in some national speakers. This is one way in assisting bringing business and education together. He would like for the Board to have another Regional meeting for the Local Elected Officials. Maybe even divide into two meetings, making it more accessible to everyone. Again, he would like to thank all the Board members and staff for all their hard work.

X. Other Business

Ms. Yount would like to move the board meetings from the 3rd Friday of the month to the 2nd Friday of the month. This will begin in August. Beth Blasdel motioned to accept the change in Fridays. Rene Stivers seconded the motion. Motion carried.

This being the beginning of a new program year Ms. Yount wanted to thank Bebe Kinnett for her service over the last year and wished her good luck with her new company. She would like to recognize Crowe Chizek; we could not do it without the assistance of Doug Jones and Carla Crowe, thank you. Margo Olson and Molly Dodge of RVR we appreciate what you have done over the last few years and we are looking forward to working with you this new program year. Randy Johann and Ivy Tech we appreciate you as a partner. The same for Denise Knueven of Purdue TAP. Jim Battin, we certainly would not have been able to accomplish all we have without your assistance, thank you so very much.

The July 18, 2008 Board meeting will be in Rising Sun, IN Beginning at 10:00 am
August 8, 2008 Board meeting will be in North Vernon, IN.
September 12, 2008 Board meeting will be in Brookville, IN.

Vice Chair Yount requested a resolution to approve all actions of the Board and its members that have occurred since the last meeting. John Burnett motioned to accept the actions. Rene Stivers seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Ms. Yount informed the Board members that there will be a short executive session after the meeting.

Vice Chair Yount asked for a motion to adjourn. Mike Rowland made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Carla Enzinger seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned 11:21 am.