St. Louis - Creative and Different

Just got back from a week in St. Louis attending the 98th International IAWP Educational Conference. The conference was terrific due to the hard work of Terri Pasternik, Local Arrangements Chair and Vicki Zimmerlee, Program Chair. Since Missouri does not have an active chapter, Terri and Vicki drafted volunteers from other state chapters to assist with the events. IAWP President Rich Vincent opened the session and ended it with his stewardship report. In between he was busy with IAWP business and handing the baton to incoming President, David Slimp. I was elected as President Elect, Ray Cabrera was elected as Vice President and Linda Barnes was elected as Secretary-Treasurer. They will be a good team to work with this next year.

Getting Ready

I have spent the last couple of weeks reviewing the Leadership Training that will be presented on Saturday, June 25th before the International Educational Conference Starts on Sunday. It's quite a lengthy project to update all the PowerPoint slides and make sure all the presenters give their input.

In addition, I am presenting a workshop on the changes to the membership and group and individual awards, so I have a double-whammy of presentations to get ready for.

The first presentation is less than 20 days away now! That's really a scary thought.

Terrible Tragedy

IAWP members have always actively participated in community service activities and events. I am especially proud of those times where we rallied around communities devastated by tragedy. I remember the events of many years ago in Idaho when several employees were killed when returning from an awards banquet. They were hit head on by a drunk driver and IAWP members "passed the hat" and raised money that was divided between the surviving family members. Now is a time to also help or neighbors in the southern states devastated by the terrible tornadoes. Please make contributions to the American Red Cross via http://www.redcross.org/ or call 1-800-REDCROSS to help.

Splitting the Difference

I finished splitting the WPDP History of Workforce Development module into 4 units. It's been quite a process since it also needed updating. Splitting into 4 units also required the revision of the exams and development of several questions. Just as I thought I was done, I realized I hadn't divided and updated the table of contents. That is now complete along with an explanation of the how version 5.0 came about.

I have moved on to the WPDP Labor Market Information guide and exams which Lorraine Faulds has already split and updated. I just need to add some formatting and again, update the table of contents and then we will be half way to the goal of dividing all four modules into 4 units each.

After the the Unemployment Insurance and Business & Job Seeker guides and exams are complete we will be ready to place the exams online.

I Am Back

I have been on hiatus from the blog for the last two months. My mother became very ill in February and passed away in March. I am finally getting back into the grove again and discovering my "new normal."

I actually have been working on IAWP activities including finishing up the division of the WPDP History of Workforce Development study guide. The 100+ page study guide and 100 question exam has been being divided into 4 modules with corresponding 25 question exams. I am just about to finish the last exam now. I also took the opportunity to update the history, as it had been few years since the last update.

Once the History modules are complete I can start getting the exams placed on line. I am hoping to have all the study guides (History, Unemployment Insurance, Business and Job Seeker and Labor Market Information) finished up by mid year.

Strategic Planning Update

Still working on the Strategic Plan. With the resignation of the President Elect, I needed to review what had been drafted and see if it was still appropriate. I believe I have somewhat finalized it until we have a new president elected and a new slate of officers in place. Since most of the Plan and associated strategies are items from past surveys, plans and ideas, I am hoping what we have drafted won't change much. I will keep you posted and if you have any ideas, please let me know.

Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers Funding Cuts

Legislation on the House floor being debated this week to zero-out all new funding for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers formula grant programs until July, 2012. If this proposal becomes law, states would not receive their July, 2011 allotment and their advance appropriations in October, 2011. Please write your Congressional delegation urging their opposition to this draconian proposal.

Background
On February 11, 2011, the House Committee on Appropriations released a comprehensive list of spending cuts. These spending cuts are contained in H.R. 1, legislation to fund all Federal Agencies and Departments, other than Defense, until September 30, 2011, the end of the current fiscal year. It would do the following:

1. H.R. 1 would eliminate all new funding for WIA Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers formula grants in program year 2011 (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012).

2. H.R. 1 would eliminate funding states normally receive on July 1 (the beginning of the new Program Year) and eliminate the "Advance Appropriation" states normally receive on October 1 (the beginning of the 2012 Fiscal Year).

3. H.R. 1 would rescind $100 million in unobligated balances from the Dislocated Workers Assistance National Reserve for 2010 and rescind $65 million from Dislocated Workers Assistance State Grants. ($10 million would be rescinded for evaluation).

What You Can Do:
I encourage you to contact your Congressional delegation expressing opposition. Your message can be as follows:
• All funding for the Workforce Investment Act (Youth, Adult and Dislocated Worker programs) would be eliminated for Program Year 2011, threatening the existence of the publicly-funded workforce system.
• With the national unemployment rate still hovering around 9% and youth unemployment rates at an astounding 26.3% for youth ages 16-19 and 16.3% for youth ages 20-24, cuts to critical job training, education and skills programs only serve to further devastate efforts to put Americans, of all ages, back to work.
• Skill development and training is needed now more than ever! After the Great Recession, employers are beginning to hire workers, but often say they are unable to find workers with the appropriate skills match. Eliminating these programs will worsen this problem.
• Highlight the value of WIA programs in your state with specific examples.