Ed Oberski Presents Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works to Rotary
November 18, 2014
By: Stephen Kent
Ed Oberski
Ed Oberski, CEO of Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!,
talked to Rotary about "who we are, what we do, the impact we have and what might be the future of the
Michigan Works! system".
Michigan Works! is neither a state agency nor a non-profit. It is actually the nation's workforce system and is federally funded. There are 550 organizations that cover the entire country, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Set up in the early 80's under the Regan administration, it is a "great example of Reagan federalism where it is a federal program this is passed down to the states."
In the mid 90's the Michigan agencies decided to brand themselves "Michigan Works!". There are now 25 organizations with names like Oakland County Michigan Works!, Central Area Michigan Works!, etc.
The Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! is a consortium of Bay, Saginaw and Midland counties.
The Michigan Works! mission is different from most of the 550 agencies around the country. The mission is based on the idea that employers should hire the best person for the job. Many other groups around the country believe that businesses should hire the people in the program and hope they are the best for the job.
When a person walks into a Michigan office they see a sign that says "We don't get you a job. That's up to you." The Works! office provides resources. "We don't match job candidates with employers. We do four or five other things."
Works! endeavors to make a person a good job seeker. They show a person how find a job, how to do a resume, and how to present themself.
Works! helps people upgrade academic and computer skills.
They address essential job skills like the work ethic, reliability, communications, attitude and customer service. They teach critical thinking.
Primarily through referrals, Works! addresses barriers to employeement such as substance abuse, lack of housing, need of child care or transportation. To the degree budgets allow, Works! funds occupational training in a limited list of high priority, demand occupations needed in the three county area. Oberski went on to outline how the agency works with employers and more of the services provided.
For more information visit
www.MichiganWorks.com .
CLUB NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
President-elect Brenda Scramlin stood in for President Ron and opened the meeting in English saying "Good afternoon Rotarians. I'm not asking what language. We're sticking to the U.S. of A. today". Briefly giving some historic facts, she noted that Rotary the organization became became Rotary International in 1920 when membership itself was 20,000.
More facts about Rotary around the world are available at the
The Rotary Global History fellowship and at
Rotary 1st 100.
Anne Trahan welcomed guests as the day's greeter. Brenda read the names of the two proposed new members and returning member Dom Monistaire for the second time.
Cindy Chadwick showed a full size print of the plaque of names planned for the Paul Harris Statue. The plaque has gone to the foundry.
Don Carlyon reported that the staff at the depot have seen a woman regularly walking her dog in the area. The dog stops and barks at the statue every time.
Matt Felan announced that
Vocational Days will be March 10 and 24 this year. He asked Rotarians to let him know if they can volunteer to host students.
Lee Newton reminded the club that the
Annual Holiday program will be December 16. Rather than having Rotarians perform, the club has invited
Ah Tempo! of the Saginaw Choral Society to sing. The Arenac/Standish Club, the Morning Club and the Optimists are also invited. Rotarians are asked to donate a dollar or two at the door to help offset the cost of the entertainment.
Rob Clark said to remember that Rotary Homecoming is next week, November 25. You are encouraged to wear your school colors. The main purpose of that day is to expose our club to potential new members. You should invite prospects to visit Rotary. The club will also present the annual ROSE award (Rotary Outstanding Service and Excellence).
Bob Chadwick noted that the annual Foundation Gala in Frankenmuth was to be Friday November 21. One full table had been reserved for Bay City at that time.
Reminder: a new person is needed to serve on the Youth Exchange committee. If you have an interest, please contact Andrea.
The
Centennial Committee has set the goal of EVERY MEMBER achieving
Paul Harris Fellow status during the Centennial Year. There are matching points available that allow a member to receive their first Paul Harris level at a fraction of the normal $1,000 contribution.
Rotary Club of Bay City
View Centennial Year Celebrations Schedule
July 2014-June 2015
DATES TO REMEMBER
Rotary Homecoming 2014
- November 25, 2014
- Regular meeting time
- Doubletree
Holiday Program
- December 16, 2014
- Regular meeting time
- Ah Tempo! of the Saginaw Choral Society to perform
Upcoming Programs
(See the official schedule at
RotaryBayCity.org )
Nov. 25, 2014: ROTARY HOMECOMING. Kickoff to the annual membership drive. Presentation of the ROSE award.
Dec 2, 2014: Addressing the Issue of Abuse of Seniors
Abuse of and taking advantage of seniors is a more prevalent problem than most of us recognize. Bay County received a grant from the US Department of Justice to implement ways to respond to the issue of abuse among people 50 and older.
Julie Chamberlain will provide information that speaks to this growing issue.
Dec 9, 2014: Hiring Veterans.
Ric Davila from the Saginaw Veteran's Administration office will be speaking on hiring veterans.
Dec 16, 2014: Annual Holiday Program.
Ah Tempo! of the Saginaw Choral Society to perform.
Members of other clubs will be invited.
Rotary is an intimate affiliation of carefully selected business and professional people,
having as its objective the promotion of high ethical standards in private, commercial
and civic life, and dedicated to the ideal that the basis of all worthy endeavor is unselfish service.
Current and past
DISTRICT DISPATCH newsletters are available on the District site shown in the LINKS section below.
Rotary Bay City on Facebook!
Click on the Blue Facebook to visit us there.
Remember! Check attendance sheets at the front desk.
LINKS