Monthly Meetings
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Wednesday |
Semi-Annual Membership Meeting
Meeting sponsor: KALM |
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Guest speakers: Cincy Sullivan, Service Center Manager and Kathy Olsen, Marketing & Community Information Coordinator, Michigan Works! Kalamazoo & St. Joseph Counties Topic: Michigan Works! workforce development programs and services. Meeting sponsor: Michigan Works! Kalamazoo & St. Joseph Counties As we continue with record high unemployment Cincy Sullivan and Kathy Olsen will present valuable information on programs and services available through Michigan Works!: * an overview of Governor Granholm's No Worker Left Behind initiative; * a report on how funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act designated for workforce development programs is being used in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties; * a discussion of the general services available to employers and job seekers--in particular, assistance available for individuals who have been on extended unemployment.
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Guest speaker: Tammy Flynn, State Coordinator, DLEG; Bureau of Workforce Programs Topic: Health Coverage Tax Credit Meeting sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) program began in 2002, but thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding, it has expanded. The purpose of HCTC is to make health coverage available to those who would otherwise not be able to afford it. Displaced workers, beneficiaries from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and individuals 55 years or older are some of their qualifiers. Please join us at our monthly meeting to learn more about this topic and enjoy some lunch! |
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. Guest speaker: Stephanie Little; IRLEE ProjectManager, University of Michigan Topic: Michigan Business: Surviving to Thriving Meeting sponsor: Michigan Human Resource Development, Inc. The University of Michigan’s Institute for Research on Labor, Employment and the Economy (IRLEE) is alerting area businesses about a resource available to help make companies stronger. IRLEE Project Manager, Stephanie Little, will share information about a U of M initiative funded by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth known as Michigan Business: Surviving to Thriving (MB:S2T). The initiative is available to assist businesses in becoming globally competitive in current economic conditions via diversification, technology, and overall improvement in the performance of a firm. The presenter will also cover the different types of projects that could be cost-shared through this initiative. |
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. Guest speaker: Doug Wilcox and Kevin McCarthy Topic: Social Networking in the Work Place; Use and Misuse of Technology Meeting sponsor: Western Michigan University Attorneys Doug Wilcox and Kevin McCarthy will present their perspectives on the problems facing employers and employees utilizing what have become the commonplace social networking devices and systems. The current issues surrounding the use of computers and cell phones both on and away from work have far reaching implications. Should employers pre-screen candidates utilizing “facebook” and “twitter” information? What workplace rules apply to the use of company owned computers and cell phones? How comfortable are you knowing that your text messages may be used in disciplinary hearings and or court proceedings? The so-called “personal networking” system is both useful and perhaps over used. As employees and employers, we need to be familiar with the electronic onslaught which is rapidly tethering us to devices which did not exist much more than ten to twelve years ago. Please join us in listening to and questioning two attorneys who will discuss the various perspectives of both the use of devices and the use of social networking systems. We once could say “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” but now we must realize that what happens via electronic communications does not “stay” anywhere! |
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. Guest speaker: Greg Huszczo; Professo and Author; Eastern Michigan University Topic: Dealing With Transitions Meeting sponsor: AFSCME Local 1668 Maybe you have been convinced that change is inevitable. It is not the changes that will do you in, it's the transitions. The toughest part is where the old ways are gone but the new ways are not comfortable yet. You are in the transition zone. You will leave the session with some insights about your emotions, some options to consider regarding what to do and some guidance of how to plan for a new life. Life is good...it’s just not fair... |
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. Kindleberger Park, Parchment, MI
Meeting sponsor: KALM |
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Guest speaker: George Erickcek,
Senior Regional Analyst, Topic: Economic Update Meeting sponsor: United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 1-D
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. Guest speaker: To be announced. Topic: To be announced
Meeting sponsor: Available |
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. Guest speaker: To be announced. Topic: To be announced
Meeting sponsor: Kalamazoo
Education Association (KEA) and United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2150 |
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Wednesday |
Semi-Annual Membership Meeting
Meeting sponsor: KALM |