Veterans' Employment Committee

March 16, 2016: 10:00 AM
Marion Martin Rm, MDOL Commerce Drive, Augusta

AGENDA State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) Veterans Employment Committee (VEC) March 16, 2016 (10:00am ? 12:30pm) Location: MDOL, Commerce Center, Marion Martin Room Fred Webber, SWIB Chair Welcome and Opening Remarks Fred Webber Around the Room Introductions Fred Webber/ALL Approval of Meeting Notes from February 3, 2016 Meeting Fred Webber/ALL Introduction - Jonathan Farr - new SWIB VEC Committee Chair - Jonathan Farr, Recruiter, T-Mobile o Background o Vision of veterans? employment and more? SWIB VEC Members Review Updated Member List - Updates All Dates for 2016 SWIB VEC Meetings Meeting Dates, Wednesdays, 10am ? 12:30pm, Location MDOL 2016: March 16, May 18, July 20, Sept 21, Nov 16 Fred Webber Miscellaneous / Adjourn

Meeting Minutes from SWIB Veterans Employment Committee MDOL, Commerce Center, Frances Perkins Room 16 March 2016, 10:00am ? 12:00pm

Members and Interested Parties - Attendees: Christine Brawn, Executive Director, DAFS/State of Maine HR, Mark Cater, LVER, Lewiston CareerCenter, Kyra Darling, Family Assistance Specialist, Maine Military Family Assistance Center, Leo Deon, Universal Service Advocate, Veterans Inc., Jonathan Farr, SWB VEC Chair & Recruiter, T-Mobile, Nathaniel Grace, Maine State Consultant, Military One Source, Adria Horn, Director, Maine Bureau of Veterans Services, Dave Keaton, Director, Region Two School of Applied Technology, Debbie Kelly, Maine Director, VETS, Jeremy Kendall, Veterans Director, Easter Seals ME, Justine McCurry, Universal Service Advocate, Veterans Inc., Alley Smith, Regional Director, Veterans Inc., Joseph Sousa, Executive Director, ESGR Maine Committee, Dave Stearns, President, Dale Carnegie Maine, Bob Traill, Bonney Staffing, Fred Webber, SWB Chair.

Staff: Auta Main, MDOL BES Veterans Program Manager

Agenda and Discussion Topics:

SWB Chair ? Fred Webber: Welcome, Opening Remarks, Introduction new SWB VEC Chair

SWB Chair ? Fred Webber: Opened the meeting with round the room introductions.

SWB Chair ? Fred Webber: Approval of notes from February 3rd, 2016 meeting.

SWB Chair - Fred Webber and MDOL Staff Auta Main: SWB VEC History and Introduction of new SWB VEC Chair, Jonathan Farr.
? We are thrilled that Jon has accepted the position of SWB VEC Chair. The timing is perfect as the SWB Veterans Employment Committee is looking ahead, possibly to somewhat of a new direction. It?s an exciting time of celebration! After 3 years of dedicated time and energy focused on the One Stop Veterans Resource Web Portal, it is nearly complete. The portal has shifted locations and format ?from under the Maine Military and Community Network (MMCN) umbrella to that of the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services (MBVS). At our February meeting, Adria Horn and Laura Allen, MBVS showcased sections of the new MBVS website and veterans resource web portal. More to come at our May 18th SWB VEC meeting!
? As a group we have spent the last couple of years focused on the supply side / trying to simplify the process for veterans who are looking for services and resources. In 2016/2017 we?ll still want to participate in DRIVING VETERANS to the new website and portal. In addition to that, we may want to shift focus to the employer side? Food for thought. A 2016 summer strategic planning session for SWB VEC has been proposed. This will help guide our next steps, under the leadership of our new SWB VEC Chair, Mr. Jonathan Farr!

Jonathan Farr, SWB VEC Chair: About Jonathan or Jon. Employment ? Current Position: Recruiter, T-Mobile, Oakland ? Military Experience: Army Aviation Logistics, Leadership and SOAR Mission Qualifications Trainings Veteran Specific Work and Volunteering ? Recruiting Chair for the T-Mobile Military Honor and Support Community ? Ongoing partnership with ESGR (Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve) ? Ongoing partnership with local Military units and Recruiters. ? Received multiple awards from ESGR and Local Military units for our ongoing efforts to recruit and assist in the success of Veterans and Military members. ? Participated in Multiple Veterans only Hiring events, partnering with ESGR and Veterans Inc. ? Hosted a Veterans only hiring event at the Oakland Call Center, partnering with ESGR. ? Partnered with the Maine DOL and ESGR in the Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign. ? Personally invited to speak as one of 2 employers at a press conference with Maine's Governor and First Lady supporting Veteran hiring efforts and the Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign. ? Invited to participate in a discussion forum with the USDOL Veterans Employment and Training Representative and former Congressman, Michael Michaud. ? Participated in "Military Culture 101" training with ESGR and the Maine DOL. We are currently working on rolling this training out to our center leadership. Awards & Achievements ? Member - Board of Directors, Crisis and Counseling Centers of Maine ? Hometown Hero Award ? Presented Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) ? Statement of Support ? Presented by ESGR, Signed by the Secretary of Defense ? Above and Beyond Award ? Presented by ESGR ? Service Appreciation Award ? Presented by the Maine National Guard ? Recruiting Chair for the T-Mobile Military Honor and Support Community

All: Round the Room Updates and General Info about Our Organizations
? MMCN Conference scheduled for July 21st, 2016 at the Augusta Civic Center. See link FMI: https://www.facebook.com/MaineMCN/ ? 150th Anniversary Celebration of Togus Veterans? Hospital: https://www.facebook.com/events/1743846602568986/ ? Dale Carnegie ? as a vendor in the resource portal would like to be under education vs employment. Will discuss with Adria/Laura separately. ? Aroostook Partnership for Progress ? Dave Keaton ? a group focused on closing the projected workforce gap by encouraging the hiring of youth, veterans and other specified populations. ? New legislation in Maine to assist veterans: State of Maine Veterans Preference bill submitted and now signed by Governor. Education benefits for Maine National Guard members also signed by Governor. ? Thrilled to learn that Veterans Preference at the State of Maine has finally made some inroads ? after years of championing this! George O?Keefe and others. The silos are breaking down and it?s good to see. ? Possible subcommittee to explore medical occupations with the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation / Occupational Licensing / Medical Licensing; interest in fast tracking, for example, medics to medical assistants. Debbie Kelly to follow-up.
? Always a concern that the GREAT resources and services available to veterans are not getting into the hands of the people we want to serve. As someone new to this work, how can we do it better? One response is that we are hopeful that the One Stop Web Portal will provide at least one solution. That was certainly the intent and has been a discussion point for this group from day one. Also with the new resource list ? the idea is that there is NO WRONG DOOR. You will get referred to the appropriate service even if you call the wrong one! ? Maine Hire A Vet ? tremendous success! Great partnership! ESGR and H2H hosting a table at HR Conference week of May 10th. Let?s distribute MHAV 2016 flyers, too. o Is there a role for SWB VEC to play in MHAV Campaign? Running smoothly at the moment. Perhaps SWB VEC members (many of whom are also on MHAV committee) could act as innovators/sounding board/brainstorming group to assist the campaign each year. Food for thought.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SWIB VEC MEETINGS 2016

Meeting Dates, Wednesdays, 10am ? 12:30pm, Location TBD
2016: February 3, March 16, May 18, July 20, Sept 21 and November 16

Attachments