Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board

September 25, 2007

EDC 27

5:30 p.m.

Minutes

Attendance:

Patrick Baker, Gil Cephus, Beverly Churchill, Eric Daniels, Larry Effingham, Gabrielle Gallegos, Gwen Handy, Stan Hutchison, Bill McDonnell, Sam Mehta, Connie Overington, Royce Sampson, Charles Sommers, E.C. Townsend, Mike Wahl, George Weeks, Chair; Guest: Trudy Chara, GWIB staff;

Dan McDermott, Brenda Marzucco & Melissa Mackey, Staff;

Introduction of New Members:

Two new members were introduced by Mr. McDermott:

Patrick Baker, Director of Field Operations for the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and Mike Wahl, Kent County Business Representative.

Minutes, May 22, 2007:

A correction was proposed to the May 22, 2007 minutes section III, Grant Approvals. The date September 30, 3007 will be changed to September 30, 2007.

Connie Overington was not in attendance at the May 22, 2007 meeting.

A motion to approve the corrected minutes was offered by Bill McDonnell. A second was offered by Royce Sampson. The minutes as corrected were approved unanimously.

WIB Officer Election:

The Steering Committee met on September 11, 2007 as a nominating committee for WIB Officer and Steering Committee positions. The Steering Committee proposed:

President: George Weeks

Vice President: Sam Mehta

Steering Committee Private Sector/Secretary Treasurer: Phil Bramble

Steering Committee Non Private Sector: Stan Hutchison and Beverly Churchill

There were no additional nominations from the floor.

A motion to accept the proposed Officers and Steering Committee members was offered by Charles Sommers and a second was offered by Connie Overington. The Officers and Steering Committee members were accepted unanimously.

Staff Mileage Report:

At the request of a WIB member, Mr. McDermott evaluated the impact of staff mileage reimbursement on the budget.

WIB Staff

Mileage Expenditures

FY 05:  July 1, 2004 – June 30, 2005

FY 06:  July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006

FY 07:  July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007

The total mileage reimbursements have increased for two reasons. The Icelandic Seafood USA, Inc. plant closing has required the staff to travel to Cambridge, MD on a regular basis and the reimbursement rate increased in Fiscal Year 2006.

The WIB staff is reimbursed at the Chesapeake College rate rather than the IRS rate.

Icelandic Update:

Mr. McDermott provided a brief update on the Icelandic USA, Inc plant closing and response. An article from the Chesapeake Business Ledger was distributed with the WIB packet and provided an excellent recap of the effort.

“The Graying of the Upper Shore”

Mr. McDermott provided a report on demographic data for the service area specifically targeted to the retirees living in and moving to the area. The purpose of the presentation was to determine if retirees are a viable group of workers for Upper Shore employers.

The WIB members directed Mr. McDermott to provide additional demographic data about retirees.

Youth Program Strategy:  Brenda Marzucco

Ms. Marzucco provided an update on Workforce Investment Act (WIA) services for eligible youth. The strategy continues to be employability and work maturity with sector based experiences for school connected youth and specific job training and academic remediation for out of school youth.

Business Services Strategy:  Melissa Mackey

Ms. Mackey provided an update on WIA services for employers.

Maryland Business Works provides a 50% reimbursement for incumbent worker training. The training must be approved before training begins and there are a few exclusions, but the program is flexible and business friendly.

The WIA staff works with applicants for training to insure that the applicant is job ready. Applicants attend and complete a series of Ready to Work seminars including Dependable Strengths, Job Application Workshop, Resume Workshop, Interviewing Workshop and a practice interview. The process is in place to insure that WIA trainees have the skills to find and keep a job at the completion of training.

Mobile One-Stop:

The concept of a Mobile One Stop was discussed. The WIB currently utilizes a mobile classroom to deliver services. A mobile one stop will require a set up or floor plan that is similar to the bricks and mortar offices in the Upper Shore.

1. computer resource area
2. office space
3. interview space
4. satellite internet
5. confidential space

In order to begin evaluating the Mobile One Stop concept a taskforce was created to explore the following concepts.

• develop service plan
• develop request for proposal
• develop scoring criteria
• evaluate proposals
• recommendations to WIB

The taskforce volunteers are Patrick Baker, E.C. Townsend and Mike Waal.

Announcements:

Maryland Economic Development Association Conference will be held in Easton on October 4, 2007.

The Annual Breakfast jointly sponsored by the Upper Shore Manufacturing and Business Council and WIB is scheduled for Nov 30, 2007. The event will begin at 8am and will be held in the Caroline Center at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.