Members Present: Chair, Wayne DeBruin; Vice-Chair, David MacKenzie; Wendy Brower; Don Gerdesmeier; and Representative Jim Rostberg

Sub-Committee Staff:
Bonnie Elsey, Minnesota Department of Economic Security

Other Agency Staff:
Bruce Steurnagel, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and Woody Cox, Children, Families & Learning

Members Absent: None

Call to Order, Welcome and Introductions:
The joint meeting between the GWDC sub-committee and the executive committee of the East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership met at 7:30 p.m. on November 8, 1999 at the Purple Hawk Supper Club in Cambridge. The meeting was called to order by John Norris, Chair, business representative from Atscott Manufacturing. The executive committee provided the sub-committee with a power point presentation on the history of their partnership, an over-view of their mission and goals, and a description of their activities. Time was available for open discussion on what was the impetus for their partnership and what makes it effective. The following morning the GWDC sub-committee met at Braham High School with the full committee of the partnership. The GWDC sub-committee observed a regular meeting and took part in open discussion on how such a partnership could be replicated in other communities.

Primary Purpose of the Partnership:

To identify, create, develop and maintain a qualified workforce within the five county East Central Minnesota area by assisting and encouraging the development and enhancement of communication and cooperation among and between business community, public agencies, PK-12 education, and higher education.

Highlights of the Visit:

• impetus of partnership was lack of qualified workers in the region
• effectiveness due to common mission, vision, and values
• value of "community" key driver in partnership
• turf isn't apparent as community is driver
• financial commitment from public and private sector to hire executive director to coordinate partnership
• organized 5O1C3 legal entity
• partnership is separate from region's workforce council, members feel free from red tape.
• school-to-work is part of partnership

Meeting was adjourned