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Meetings & Minutes
Women's Employment Issues Committee
October 15, 2010:Minutes:
MAINE JOBS COUNCIL 120 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333
WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT ISSUES COMMITTEE (WEIC) Maine Jobs Council October 15, 2010 MINUTES
Present: Voting Members: Sharon Barker (Chair), Gilda Nardone, Sarah Standiford, Christy Cross, Karen Keim, Annie Houle Non-Voting Members: Joni Boissoneault Guests: Liz Ray, Theresa Savoy, Erin McGuire, Trisha Mosher (by Polycom from Wilton) Staff: Peaches Bass
INTRODUCTIONS, MEMBER NEWS, AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the June 25, 2010 meeting were approved with the following correction: Last sentence in UPDATE section on page one should read: “Coalition for Maine Women” instead of “Women’s Leadership Coalition.” Note: Peaches Bass has made the correction.
UPDATE: WORKING WOMEN IN MAINE 2010 REPORT
Peaches Bass reported that the major portion of the report is finished and just needs a final proofreading and adding some photos. The Policy Recommendations and Women of Color sections remain unaddressed. Peaches is not able to do these sections.
Sharon Barker is investigating some work study students to help. Karen Keim suggested getting an honors student who is doing thesis work. The Committee discussed how to finish this up. Sarah Standiford proposed that WEIC release the data and have the Coalition for Maine Women look at the policies, with a joint release by both WEIC and the Coalition. Further discussion centered on identifying the target audience(s). Everyone agreed that the report is good as it stands and can be used by many groups to advance policy agendas.
Karen Keim offered that she can devote some time to the Women of Color section in “several weeks.” It was suggested that WEIC can keep plugging away at it, perhaps as a separate, visible piece of work.
NONTRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS REPORT
Peaches Bass asked for ideas on improving the monthly Nontraditional Occupations Report required by Maine statute. Karen Keim suggested highlighting nontraditional career paths: “Illuminate the Pathways.” She also suggested that perhaps WEIC needs a marketing person among its membership.
MAINE JOBS COUNCIL (MJC) UPDATE
Sharon Barker described the Department of Education’s new database presented by Bill Hurwich. Karen Keim emphasized the incredible value of the data for grant writing, program development, partnerships, and more. Sarah Standiford went over the vote on the MJC’s proposed amendment to its Incentive Policy. Because of wording problems, uncertainty around the conflict of interest policy for voting, and a lack of any eligible recipients of incentive funds, the MJC Chair took the item off the meeting agenda. Several guest speakers at the MJC meeting provided an overview of sector strategies—the status of federal legislation, best practices, and a case study of North Star Alliance. The presentations didn’t address how well women workers benefit under sector strategy approaches. Gilda Nardone added that Linda Buckmaster and Carolyn May, both from Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community have attended the ASPEN Institute’s Sector Academy.
MEMBERSHIP
Sharon Barker and Peaches Bass have discussed WEIC membership, particularly people who aren’t official members who attend meetings regularly and voting members who rarely or never attend. Karen Keim suggested recruiting more women of color and women with disabilities. Sharon would like to see consistent attendees become voting members. Sarha Standiford further suggested Sarah Bigney and/or Tracy Allen of the Maine AFL-CIO.
Sharon proposed Joni Boissoneault and Liz Ray for voting membership. There was agreement among the WEIC to extend voting membership to both. Joni accepted. Liz said she had to check with her agency. (FOLLOW UP: Liz informed Peaches that she won’t be able to serve as a voting member, but she can continue to attend and participate in meetings.
There was general conversation about having shorter or more frequent meetings. Those present want to make sure the WEIC membership is strong as we enter a new administration.
NEXT MEETING
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM, with the next meeting scheduled for December 3 , 1 – 4 PM at the CareerCenter in Rockland. Polycom will be available in Presque Isle and Wilton.
