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Minutes

Workforce Network of Kansas
Marketing Task Force Meeting
February 13, 2002

Participating in the conference call: Caleb Asher, SRS; Glenn Fondoble, Local Area I; Nancy Guthrie, Local Area I; Kathy Ketchum, KDHR; Tamie May, Local Area IV; Shirley Martin-Smith, WNK Board; Vernon Nikkel, Local Area I; Jon Pettus, Local Area V; Al Rolls, Local Area III; and Barb Reavis, Workforce Network of Kansas staff

Agenda items for discussion:
§ Vision and Mission
§ Costs of 1-800 number vs. multiple directory listings
§ Report on local efforts to launch WNK
§ Protecting the brand

Reavis reminded members of the Workforce Network of Kansas vision and mission to focus the meeting discussions.

Asher reported that SRS discourages the use of 1-800 lines because of cost and staff time. They found the average monthly cost to be $800-1500.

Ketchum reported on the costs of telephone listings, which is the other option of trying to make certain every community has an easy-to-locate telephone listing. With SW Bell, there is a $19 charge to make a change in the phone listing. There are 65 SW Bell telephone directories in Kansas. Feist, Woodward, Cloud get their listings from SW Bell. In addition, each line in the listing will cost $1.75/month.

The USJOBS toll free helpline was promoted using Unemployment Insurance funds, spending around $30,000 on postcards and mailing. At last count, Kansas calls were running about 100/month.

Local Areas reported on their Marketing activities during the week in January chosen by the group to launch the Workforce Network of Kansas.
§ May reported the Local Area IV used the announcement of hiring ERISS to do the Labor Market Survey as an opportunity to talk about the WNK. In addition, they got some TV coverage and an article in the Business Journal.
§ Rolls reported Local Area III had not done anything but would use the announcement of the KC United, Bi-State Area effort. Whatever they do, it will be done jointly with Missouri. They expect to spend money for brochures and a campaign to the employer community.
§ Pettus reported Local Area V had not done much but had visited with the LWIB about the issue.
§ Guthrie reported Local Area I placed some ads for the One-Stops, had success stories in the Chamber letter, and distributed brochures for the one-stops. They have an advantage in their area since Chambers heads two of the One-Stops.

Reavis asked for feedback about whether Local Areas could see an advantage to getting some state level assistance to promote the system. Ketchum raised a question about whether the group would want Fleishman Hillard to do the news bureau service as proposed in their plan. Local Area members felt they were doing fine and didn't think that was necessary.

Meetings of the Marketing Task Force are set for 10 a.m., the second Wednesday of each month unless notified differently. Members should expect those meeting to be held by conference call unless notified differently.