Notes from last Friday’s meeting:

            Gene Stutsman led our singing of the National Anthem.  Hesston Lauver provided our opening prayer.  Jamie Stickel served as our Zoom moderator.  Lynda Olinski introduced visiting Rotarians and guests.  Doug Risser was present as visiting Rotarian, and Callie Shootz was on hand as a guest.

            Robin Yoder provided a video featuring Lauren Daigle for our Destiny Rescue theme featuring the song “I Will Rescue You.”  Robin indicated that the Destiny Rescue Walk-A-Thon has now exceeded our second intermediate goal of $80,000 with a new goal now to achieve $100,000.  The Walk-A-Thon is this Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. at Goshen High School.  Participate if you can; stop by if you have the opportunity; and don’t forget to make a donation. 

            Rick Stiffney noted that the Quilt Garden on the Goshen Courthouse lawn will be cleaned up this Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. If you can assist, please stop by.

            Mark King introduced our program on the Northern Indiana Workforce Board.  Mark has served as a board member for 10 years.  He introduced President and CEO, Greg Vollmer, and Vice President of Operations, Krystal Levi.  Greg is a graduate of Valparaiso University and Indiana University.  He started his career at Bendix before later moving on to work for the Northern Indiana Workforce Board.  Krystal Levi graduated from the University of Evansville and handles many of the day-to-day program responsibilities. 

            Greg indicated that the Northern Indiana Workforce Board serves the five County Region 2 area of Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph Counties.  It is a 501(c)(3) organization providing services to individuals, employers, and elected officials in its region.  It operates the Work One centers with federal grant money that is distributed locally for the Workforce Programs in the area.  The Board is composed of representatives of employers, educators, EDC organizations, vocational organizations, rehab organizations, labor, and community organizations.  It has local offices in each of the five counties. 

            The Northern Indiana Workforce Board provides employment services, apprenticeship and internship programs, training and support, adult education, career technical education, seniors re-employment program, and special programs for Veterans, adults, seniors, the disabled, and youth.  It is a community effort working in partnership with not-for-profit organizations, workforce development, colleges and universities, EDC organizations, regional development authorities, governmental entities, trade organizations, local schools, Department of Labor, and employers.  It is not a state agency, but a non-profit organization.  Difficulties with the workforce in our area now seems to be attributable to not having enough workers for the positions available and not enough housing in the local communities. 

            Krystal Levi concluded the program outlining the programs focusing on the difficult labor environment we all now face.  The Workforce Board provides job fairs, internships, apprenticeships, youth programs, and other training to help employers find qualified workers.  When a business closes, it also assists with its regional response activity to help place those displaced by a business closing.  With the federal money coming through the Cares Act, the Northern Indiana Workforce Board received a grant of $3.15 million for employment services.  It has been so successful with its programs that more federal money is expected to be received.  The labor shortage, however, appears to be a long-term situation.  Thank you to Mark King, Greg Vollmer, and Krystal Levi for the program highlighting the Workforce Board activities in our area. 

            Quote for the week: “No economy can succeed without a high-quality workforce, particularly in an age of globalization and technical change.”  – Ben Bernanke

 

                                                                                    Until next time.