Action Item #1
Approve a revised Mission Statement.
The current mission is long and not a useful tool in communicating the work of FutureForce. A revised mission will help all participants share the mission more effectively and accurately. A commonly agreed upon mission will guide the direction and next steps of participants as FutureForce continues to grow and evolve.
The current mission statement is:
“to educate our state's young people and adults in job transition about the many excellent opportunities for employment, future growth, and career satisfaction that are available to them right here in Nebraska. We strive to ensure that our workforce is prepared to meet the needs of our growth industries – allowing businesses in Nebraska to thrive and attract citizens who are productive, committed and fulfilled.”
Following agreement that the mission statement needs to be short, possibly with bullet points, there was discussion regarding FutureForce’s overall, long-term goal and whether that is it to promote economic development or workforce development.
FutureForce came about as the result of a 2003 Department of Economics study that brought up the question of whether there would be enough educated workers to fill the jobs available. The ultimate goal was originally to fulfill the promise of economic growth in economic target areas identified by the study. The primary mission now seems to be educating people about careers. The main concern, however, remains the same; that is how to retain educated people in the state.
The Board came to the conclusion that FutureForce serves as the link between economic development and education goals. Business cannot create jobs without an educated workforce and the educated workforce will leave if the jobs are not here. FutureForce’s job is to ensure balance between the two.
“Creating a dynamic workforce to power tomorrow’s economy.”
Action item #1 – This item was referred to a committee consisting of Seth and Mary. They are charged to come back to the Executive Board with a short, vision/mission statement.
Action item #2
Task a subcommittee to create a plan for continued funding through CCPE and/or governor’s office.
Seth explained that the Perkins legislation has changed, with the result that FutureForce can no longer funded by that grant. Consequently, new funding must be secured if this program is to continue.
Marshall stated that the CCPE is submitting a recommendation to the Legislature for $110,000 to sustain FutureForce.
Mary pointed out the need for success stories to leverage the success of the organization’s efforts.
Based on survey results, the Board generally feels that leaving FutureForce under the umbrella of state government provides the best opportunity to further the organization’s goals. There was discussion about possible funding options and general agreement that success data needs to be harvested to allow FutureForce to better make its case. The suggestion was made to approach the Appropriations Committee with endorsements from UNL, DOL, NDE and other state agencies as well as the Governor and/or Lieutenant Governor regarding FutureForce’s role in promoting economic development in Nebraska.
The Board agreed to proceed with approaching the legislature and get full or partial funding from the state. At the same time, there is tremendous opportunity in the grant world. The Board agreed to task a subcommittee to organize a FutureForce Nebraska Foundation designed to secure private funding for use by the individual pathways. for approval at next meeting.
The suggestion was made to find someone from the Department of Economic Development s there to serve on the Executive Board. Rich and Joan agreed to deliver the message that DED needs to take a strong role in FutureForce.
Action item #2 – This item was referred to a committee consisting of Marshall, Mary and Joan. They are charged with moving forward on securing funding from the Legislature for FutureForce.
Action item #3 – This item was referred to a committee consisting of Marshall and Larry Sherer. They are charged with putting together a private FutureForce foundation.
Action Item #4 Approve goals for 2007
Establish the following overall goals for FutureForce for 2007:
1. Produce and document meaningful curriculum, career awareness activities, and outcomes that advance the mission of FFN in each of the established career pathway committees.
2. Establish process and/or events to disseminate activities and programs to local and regional leaders of education, economic development.
3. Seek and provide funding for additional pathway activities
4. Promote greater involvement of industry and economic development in FFN leadership committees.
5. Promote successful SSI
There was further discussion about formalizing the collection of success data.
Action item #4 – This item was approved with the addition of creating some means of collecting FutureForce success data.
Action item #5 Establish the following make-up of the FutureForce Nebraska Executive Board.
1. Representative of CCPE
2. Representative of Nebraska Community Colleges
3. Representative of Nebraska Department of Education
4. Representative of Department of Economic Development
5. Representative of University of Nebraska
6. Representative of Nebraska Department of Labor
7. Representative of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
8. Representative of Nebraska State Colleges
9. Representative of Nebraska Workforce Development Board
10. Representative of Nebraska Independent Colleges & Universities/Private Career Schools
11-15. Four Representatives of Nebraska Industries and Businesses
16-18. Two Representatives from Chambers of Commerce
Authorize Chair to extend invitations to unfilled positions.
The desire to ask for more participation from industry was expressed along with concern about too many people being involved on board already and the feeling that any expansion should focus on bringing in certain qualities rather than specific organizations.
Action item #5 – This action item was referred to a committee consisting of Joan, Jim and Joe. They are charged with addressing the issue of whether to add members to the Executive Board.
6. Nebraska Scholars Program
Seth reported on a grant received by FutureForce with CCPE acting as the fiscal agent. The program is controlled by WICHE and is designed to motivate high school students to choose a more rigorous course of study by bringing business people into the classroom. Nebraska has a unique approach in that academic rigor is being paired with career preparation rather than simple college preparation. Nebraska has selected four pilot schools to test the program. Those schools are Grand Island, Papillion-La Vista, Chase County, South Sioux City. Currently the Nebraska Scholars Program is experiencing some challenges with WICHE because of local control issues in Nebraska
Marshall added that the CCPE has put in a request to the Legislature for funds to keep this program going. The statewide maintenance cost for this program should be fairly low because the materials are being developed to be posted online to allow any community to get set up at a fairly low cost after the pilot year is completed.
Action Item #6 Approve creation of Nebraska Scholars Program Sponsorship. Create a Nebraska Scholars Sponsorship Program to seek private funds to support promotion and dissemination of the Nebraska Scholars Program after grant funds expire in September 2007. Allow FutureForce Nebraska coordinator to manage fundraisinig activities for the Nebraska Scholars Program.
Action Item #6 - Mary moved to approve this action item. Greg seconded. This action item was approved.
7. Action item #7 Approve general marketing & communication for 2007
Accept the attached general marketing, promotion and communication plan and website architecture plan as presented for 2007. Establish the highest priority on the redevelopment and redeployment of the FutureForce Nebaska website within 45 days. Allow FutureForce Nebraska coordinator to execute additional activities in plan as funding and opportunities become available.
The highest priority action to be taken is to revise the website. The website will to continue to be a place of record for pathways as well as a link to careerconnections.org.
Action Item #7 - Marshall moved to approve this action item. Joe seconded. This action item was approved.
8. Action Item #8 Overall budget through end of June 2007.
Establish the following guidelines for the use of remaining NDE grant funds:
1. $1,000 to $1,500 to support the operation and management of each pathway committee, not to exceed $10,000
2. $5,000 to $15,000 to support project activities in each of the established pathway committees, not to exceed $80,000.
3. $10,000 to $20,000 to support marketing and promotion activities, including contracted revision of website.
This budget breakdown will allow each pathway committee to become operational without continual support from FutureForce Nebraska staff by providing a certain amount of money to coordinate administration and activities. This budget goes through June 2007. There will be another $50,000 that can be spent through 2008. State scholars funds must be spent by September by 2007. Travel and office expense will pay for administration and coordination of pathway committees.
Action Item #8 - Jim moved to approve this action item. Joan seconded. This action item was approved.
9. Action Item #9 Perkins Subgrants
Create a subcommittee of the executive board to review the current proposals received for project funding. Allow subcommittee to suggest revision to proposals by institutions so proposals better meet overall goals and objectives. Subcommittee shall present recommendations to executive board for review at conference call to be held within three weeks.
FutureForce has only received applications from Central Community College. Seth will email applications.
Action Item #9 – This action item was referred to a subcommittee consisting of Joe, Joan, Mary and Rich.
10. Action Item #10 Pathway Steering Committee
Propose the Pathway Steering Committee adopt a set of common career pathway committee measures to be used for guiding committee design and operation and for evidence collecting. The committee shall adopt a set of measures within three months.
Seth and Mary have already created a status update for pathway committees to look review, which may help FutureForce gather success stories as well as determine whether the existing pathways are still valid.
Action Item #10 - Marshall moved to approve this action item. Greg seconded. This action item was approved.
11. FutureForce Community Forums
There is a lot of good development, educational planning efforts, and people who want to get involved in FutureForce going on but no where to formally share. The suggestion was made that Futureforce host a biannual forum to showcase career and workforce development and pathways. It would allow broader regional and local participation in FutureForce. The suggestion was made to coordinate an event like that with the Governor's Summit.
Due to time constraints, the decision was made to work on getting involved with the Governor's Summit and consider hosting a FutureForce only event next fall. Joan agreed to propose FutureForce’s involvement for the Governor's Summit. Jim will talk about it as well. Governor's Workforce Summit is to be held April 10-11.
12. Executive Meeting Schedule
Future meeting dates will be:
December 12
February 6
April 3
May (in conjunction with the Forum if approved)
July 10 (annual celebration, in conjunction with the Steering Committee)
13. Meeting dates for Steering Committee
The Steering Committee will meet quarterly in 2006-07. The dates are:
November 27
March 12
July 10
