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

Grand Victoria Casino & Resort
Rising Sun, IN
July 18, 2008

I. Welcome and Introductions

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 am by Ron Timms.

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

Quorum Present

After calling the meeting to order, Director Timms welcomed and introduced the guests to the meeting which included Margo Olson with RVR; Randy Johann and Teresa Begley with Ivy Tech; Denise Knueven with Purdue; Jim Buchanan and Jean Voyles with DWD; Peg Dickson Ohio County Community Foundation; Deb Tomlinson Ohio County EcO15 Coordinator; Lisa Deck Decatur County EcO15 Coordinator; Tom Clerkin with IUPUC; Gregg Sinders Jefferson County Commissioner and John Ruckelshaus Deputy Commissioner Governmental Affairs State of Indiana.

II. Discussion / Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

After reviewing the minutes of the June 20, 2008 meeting, Director Stivers made a motion to accept the minutes as recorded, Director Bryant seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

III. Additional Activities of Board Leadership

New Board Member
Chairwoman Yount introduced Larry Cummins to the Board. Mr. Cummins is Director of Education at The Kings Daughters Hospital and will be the Board Director for Jefferson County. The Chairwoman noted that Region 9 will benefit greatly from Mr. Cummins’ knowledge in the healthcare department.

By-Laws
At the June 20, 2008 meeting Director Yount asked to have the current By-Laws changed to reflect an Immediate Past Chair position to the Board. Ms. Connie Berry, Chief Legal Officer, reviewed the legalities of this request and drafted an amendment to incorporate this position into the By-Laws. Director Hon motioned to accept the Immediate Past Chair position, Director Heiderman seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Director Timms stated there is another portion of the By-Laws that needs to be addressed. Article IV Section 12, Majority of Meetings. He asked Ms. Berry to put some language together that will state if a Board member cannot attend and informs the Chairperson and the Executive Office of his/her absence it should not affect their membership with the Board. Chairwoman Yount explained all board members are volunteers with day jobs and sometimes it is too hard to attend all meetings. The Chair requested a motion of support to make the changes to the by-laws. Director Bryant made a motion to change the By-Laws to allow excused absences. Director Timms seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Marketing RFQ
A motion has been requested to allow the Executive/Finance Committee to approve the Marketing Contract. Director Timms motioned to allow the Executive/Finance Committee to approve the Marketing Contract, Director Burnett seconded the motion. Motion carried

Board Officers
Director Timms explained July 1, 2008 begins a new term for Officers and Directors of the Board. With Mr. Timms stepping down as Chairman the Board needs to vote on the new Chairperson and Officers. Nominations are as follows: Chairwoman Patti Yount; Immediate Past Chair Ron Timms; Vice Chair Beth Blasdel and Secretary Don Heiderman. Director Burnett motioned to close the nominations, Larry Cummins seconded the motion. Nominations were closed. Director Timms asked for a motion to accept the selected Officers. Director Stivers motioned to accept the new officers to the Board, Director Bryant seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Chairwoman Yount gave a brief speech to the Board and guests. Ms. Yount thanked all the Board members and their employers for their commitment to long range, long term effects on our Region.

The Indiana Region 9 Workforce Board presented a plaque to Director Timms in sincere appreciation for his outstanding leadership. The Board thanked Mr. Timms for his years of committed and continued service to workforce development for individuals within our Region.

IV. Tom Clerkin / IUPUC

Director Scofield introduced Dr. Tom Clerkin, Assistant Professor of Management, IUPUC Division of Business. Dr. Clerkin gave a brief presentation on the allocated funds from Tomorrow’s Manufacturing Workforce Grant to IUPUC and how they are being applied. IUPUC is focusing on better preparing Mid to High level Managers in Advanced Manufacturing. Dr. Clerkin explained that he has a good team that is in the process of developing curriculum for Undergraduate and Graduate MBA executive education. What we expect to have deliverable is a case study that would allow active team participation. Region 9 employers will assist in the co-development of this type of case study.

V. Doug Jones, Crowe Chizek / Financials

Mr. Jones explained the only over-extension this past budget year is due to leases. For the upcoming year the Board approved an increase for dislocated workers to $200,000. He also informed the Board that the business consultant contract has been decreased by $100,000. Mr. Jones asked the Board what level of adjustments they would like to see and approve. Chairwoman Yount stated if most of the smaller items were discussed in the executive/finance committee meetings it would be beneficial. This way the Board could move quickly on the smaller items and not have to wait on everything to go before the Board for a vote. The Chair requested a motion to accept the financials as presented. Director Timms motioned to accept the financials, Director Bryant seconded the motion. Motion carried.

VI. Bart Brown / Reach

RVR Budget
Mr. Brown made a request to amend the budget as of July 1, 2008. The Integration process demands more enrollments in the system. He further stated that not all staff members are completely trained on how to complete applications for WIA. He requested money to allow Bobbie Bryant of RVR to assist with spot checking this data one day a week. This will create an increase in the budget of $13,042.00. He additionally requested $2,500.00 for overtime for the individuals who put in the extra time during to administer the National Emergency Grant for Bartholomew County. Director Cummins asked about how these two changes effect the budget. Mr. Brown explained that there were unallocated funds available for emergencies. Director Blasdel motioned to accept the budget changes for RVR, Director Burnett seconded the motion. Motion carried.

RVR Contract
Director Timms stated he reviewed the RVR contract and suggested a few corrections. One is to make the Indiana Region 9 Workforce Board name consistent through out the contract. Secondly, page 11 paragraph 28 discusses expenditures exceeding $2,500.00, this should be approved by the RO prior to purchases. Third, page 5 paragraph 13 reviews ownership and use of documents. This should be changed to reflect Indiana Region 9 Workforce Board as owners of such documents. Mr. Timms is requesting the RVR contract be amended to reflect these changes. Chairwoman Yount directed staff to review and make necessary changes.

Procurement Policy
It has been noted that the Procurement Policy has not been voted on. Chairwoman Yount request that this policy be redistributed to Board members for review and finalize at the August 8, 2008 Board meeting.

Beckfield College
Beckfield College has requested to be added to the Eligible Training List. Lissa Griffin reviewed the application and background checks. Mr. Brown recommended approving their request. Director Stivers motioned to add Beckfield College, Director Hon seconded the motion. Motion carried.

National Emergency Grant
Bart Brown updated the Board on the National Emergency Grant. This grant provided funding to assist with the flood clean up in Bartholomew County.

Mr. Brown gave a power point presentation on Reach, Inc. and team achievements, goals and future progress in this region.

VII. John Burnett, Jim Battin / EcO15, DIDI

EcO15
John Burnett stated that that Ed Stewickey is no longer on the EcO15 team. Mr. Schroerer has agreed to serve as team leader. Mr. Schroerer and Director Scofield are working close together on hiring a communications person. All counties have a coordinator except Dearborn. Next step, Phase II, is for each county to develop a plan on how to invest the $600,000 that is available. This process should take from now until October 2008. Jennings County has submitted a proposal and it is currently being reviewed. Mr. Burnett explained that if a proposal is accepted other counties could use some of the information as a template for their needs.

Health Care
Jim Battin discussed the Health Care portion of EcO15. Mr. Battin stated that an effort is under way to put together a regional task force to work on the health care initiative. It has been agreed to have the stationary lab at Columbus Regional Hospital. There will be two mobile units that will travel through out the region. Dr. Pam Jeffries is assisting us in with the implementation of this portion of EcO15.

Hospitality Tourism
Mr. Burnett discussed the Hospitality and Tourism portion of EcO15. There is a planning meeting scheduled for Wednesday July 23, 2008. The goal is to look at developing educational pathways that can be used in southeast Indiana.

DIDI
Jim Battin stated that the catch and referral committee would like to get a small group together to help integrate WorkOnes and Employers on using Indiana Career Connect.

VIII. Committees

There have been no Committee meetings yet, so no committee reports are available at this time.

IX. John Ruckelshaus / DWD

John Ruckelshaus Deputy Commissioner Governmental Affairs stated that at 3:00 pm the Federal Government will be announcing the most recent UI numbers. Indiana will increase at least one point. But Indiana is still better than the other surrounding states. Initial data shows a spike in teen unemployment. The State has extended UI benefits for those workers who have exhausted their unemployment benefits, there may be an additional 13 weeks available. ICC is at its soft launch period. This is the State’s new website in terms of employment services. Workers, employers, education are all combined together on one website and have all the necessary information available to anyone out there looking for the employment world.

X. Other Business

August 8, 2008 Board meeting will be in North Vernon, IN.
September 20, 2008 Board meeting will be at Belterra. This will be in conjunction with the Board retreat.

Chairwoman Yount requested a motion to accept all actions of the Board and its members that have occurred since the last meeting. Director Burnett motioned to accept the actions. Director Heiderman seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned 11:21 am.