Workforce Network of Kansas

WORKFORCE NETWORK OF KANSAS BOARD
November 30, 2001
Topeka Workforce Center
1430 SW Topeka Blvd
Topeka, Kansas

Council Members in attendance: Ken Bell, Ed Berger, Rick Beyer, Karin Brownlee, Doc Conder, Gerald Cook, Eddie Estes, Dave Foster, Jerry Hiatt, Dannette Jackson, Jim Kessler, Al Lane, Lloyd Lavin, Marie Mareda, Shirley Martin-Smith, David Moore, Dwayne Peaslee, Lynn Peterson, Candy Ruff, Alicia Salisbury, Candy Shively, Curt Stephens, and staff Barb Reavis

Guests: Pat Anderson, KBOR; Steve Baru, Local Area III; Mary Bentz, El Dorado ABE Center; Amanda Beyler, KDHR; David Brennan, Local Area II; Sue Choens, Butler County Workforce Development Center; Tim Cotter, Local Area IV; Wilda Davison, KDOA; Jim DeCoursey, Local Area II; Dolores Engel, USDOL BAT; Randy Fisher, KDHR; Glenn Fondoble, Local Area I; Dick Gabriel, KDHR; Sarah Gilbert, Local Area IV; Dianne Glass, KBOR; Al Gonzales, USDOL BAT; Gladys Groves, Allen CCCC; Nancy Guthrie, Local Area I; Robert Hull, CPRF; Steve Jack, KDHR; Clark Jacobs, Hutchinson Workforce Center; Pat Kells, KSDE; Kathy Ketchum, KDHR; Kris Kitchen, Local Area II; Brenda Krumm, Neosho CCC; Keith Lawing, Local Area IV; Melanie Manry, KDHR; George McAtee, KDHR; Dave McEachern, KDHR; David Norris, Local Area IV; Mike O-Hara, KDHR; Jon Pettus, KDHR; Al Rolls, KDHR; Vicki Romig, KDHR; Ruth Smerchek, KDOA; Linda Weaver, KDHR; Terry Young, KDHR

Chair Ken Bell called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Bell introduced new members Curt Stephens and Lloyd Lavin, appointed by the Governor to replace Rhonda Williams and Norm Scott.

Self-introductions were offered from the balance of the attendees. Bell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes from the September 28 meeting were approved following a Shively/Mareda motion.

The issue of quorum was discussed. An insufficient number of members to constitute quorum were present at the September 28 meeting. The votes taken there needed to be confirmed. A list of consent items was presented. The Consent Items were approved following a Martin-Smith/Peaslee motion.

Bell reviewed the Board's vision and mission. He talked about keeping the focus on workforce investment and presented objectives and guiding principles for consideration by the group. Bell committed to reviewing the vision and mission at the beginning of each board and task force meeting. He briefly discussed the white paper, Kansas: the State with 2020 Vision, and how the recommendations under the fifth section generated considerable energy. In response to that, a Strategic Direction Task Force is being formed. A draft of the Task Force charge was included in Bell's presentation.

Reavis reported for the Conference Task Force. About 200 people attended the October 17-18 event in Wichita. Although WNKB had agreed to underwrite up to $14,000 to keep the conference affordable, the total needed appears to be nearer $4,300. The conference evaluations were generally very positive. Conference Task Force members recommend the WNKB plan another conference next year. That recommendation was approved following a Martin-Smith/Berger motion. WNKB members urged the Task Force target directors of one-stops as the primary audience next year.

Ketchum reported for the Marketing Task Force. Forty-nine individuals participated in the Marketing How To Workshop on November 29. Ketchum showed the Graphic Standards Manual and explained the method the Task Force had determined to protect the "brand" of Workforce Network of Kansas. Under that method, Local Areas Administrators would be the resource for local partners to get logos and supplies with logos. Logo usage would only be granted to service providers with signed Memoranda of Understanding. Beyer raised the issue that Unemployment Insurance had a signed MOU in only one local area but KDHR is about to spend $150,000 to promote the online Unemployment Insurance claim process and would like to use the Workforce Network of Kansas logo. After considerable discussion, members voted to allow Unemployment Insurance using the logo following a Conder/Ruff motion. The Task Force was asked to make an official recommendation on how to protect the brand and logo. In the meantime, requests for exceptions to the "Local Area-MOU" method will be handled by the WNK Leadership Team.

Bell offered a list of Workforce Network of Kansas Board Accomplishments for the past 18 months. The Board has reason to be proud of the issues with which it has dealt.

Osborn reported for the Quality Task Force. The group has developed a process by which Local Areas will access funds from WIA Program Year 2000, specifically the $65,000 for continuous improvement for each local area. The deadline is December 31 for plan submission. KDHR will review the plans submitted for technical questions. The Task Force will review it with the seven Kansas Award for Excellence categories in mind. Those categories are Leadership, Strategic Planning, Customer & Market Focus, Information & Analysis, Human Resource Focus, Process Management, and Business Results. Reavis requested up to $4,400 be allowed to fund training for up to 30 individuals wishing to apply for Level I Kansas Award for Excellence. The board voted to allow up to $4,400 from the unspent conference underwriting funds following a Berger/Moore motion.

Bell reported for the Leadership Team. In an effort to address the quorum problem, members should expect some changed structure for regularly scheduled meetings. Bell and Reavis are planning to keep action items and strategic direction the focus and find other ways to share information that has been being offered through oral presentations to the entire group. One way this may be accomplished would be by offering "break out sessions" where individuals with interest in a topic would go to a smaller room to hear targeted presentations.

Reavis explained the agenda item referring to "workforce development" definition. In the course of their interim hearings this summer, the Joint Committee on Economic Development had requested a definition of the term. The Kansas Interagency Resource Network for Workforce Development (KIRNWD) had been working on a definition but had been unable to reach consensus prior to this meeting. This item will return at a later date for consideration.

Norris reported on the layoffs in Local Area IV and the activities around the workforce there. Three months earlier, that area had 10,000 unfilled jobs. Now the reverse is true. Mayor Knight initiated a summit with representatives of economic development, research and development and social services. Road blocks they have encountered include Unemployment Insurance. They will be conducting a labor market survey for their Local Area and they are working with the State on a National Emergency Grant. The latest drafts of legislation in Washington don't include training or re-training. In Local Area IV, they are using Work Keys and encouraging the use to better help the job seeker to find a new place of employment. The school board, together with the Wichita Chamber, announced entrepreneurial training at the Vocational-Technical school. The Local Area will have representatives in the social service facilities. In Butler County, Workers in Transition will be speaking to let people know where to find services. The Local Area Board recognizes the pressure of providing results.

Beyer suggested the employee survey/plan would be ideal if done statewide. All attention is understandably focused on the layoffs. A statewide survey seems important to achieve balance in employment in the state.

McEachern presented a nearly-final-draft of the WIA Title I-B Annual Report that was due December 1 to the US Department of Labor. He described the difficulties of gathering statistics for the annual report. KDHR will be responsible for gathering the numbers for the report. In the future, however, the WNK Board and Marketing Task Force will be asked to help design the report so it can have application for business and go beyond statistics. Reavis will forward copies of this Annual Report when all the tables have been cleaned up and it is released.

Rolls gave a report for Local Area III. About 6,000 individuals have been laid off this year in Local Area III, about 1,000 of those at Sprint. Since this Area sits on the Missouri border, they are automatically involved with activities across the line. Bi-state efforts for services rely on being aware of funding streams.

Pettus reported for Local Area V. They are establishing standards for one-stops to be certified, not just brick and mortar but their processes, too. The Emporia office operates much like the Topeka Workforce Center (downstairs). Pittsburg is moving into a new facility. Chanute and Independence centers are developing.

Fondoble reported for Local Area I. Rapid Response has been present at work sites where several small layoffs have occurred. He thanked the Board for the Continuous Improvement funds and hopes to improve on the MOU's that exist or need to be signed in the future. He reminded the group that WIA Title I-B is only one program and work is being done through many other programs.

Kitchen gave a report for Local Area II. Twelve Rapid Response meetings have occurred for about 1,000 laid off workers. Local Area II has good relationships with all its partners. All the centers have training onsite or at a local vocational-technical school.

There was no unfinished business. Under new business, it was announced the Department of Corrections grant application for the re-entry of offenders to the workforce has been put on hold. The federal grant process was re-opened and will be awarded in 2002.

Having no other business, Bell adjourned the meeting at approximately 1:10 p.m.