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Activity Report Word Version | Adobe pdf version The Pennsylvania IAWP Chapter continues its mission to provide benefits and services to our member as opportunities to increase their professionalism in the area of Workforce Development. Liberty Bell Conference Edition The Chapter’s newsletter editor, Marcia Dulin, issued a special Liberty Bell Conference Edition which highlighted the activities of the Spring Educational Conference held in May in Mechanicsburg in south central Pennsylvania. The “Spring Training 2007” theme got us all “in shape” to meet current and continuing challenges of the workplace. Topics included updates on Workforce Credentialing, UC Debit Card Implementation, UC Automated Systems Modernization and Redesign, and Written Communications Skills Development. Special guest, Lee Foley, IAWP Legislative and Educational Liaison, shared his insights into the current atmosphere in Washington, and discussed influences on future funding for Workforce Development programs. The Conference Edition also provided numerous photographs of the speakers and Conference attendees. Fall Educational Institute The Fall Educational Institute was held October 25-26 in Morgantown, located is southeastern Pennsylvania. With the theme of “Sea Changes,” the Institute focused on current marked transformations affecting both our professional and personal lives. There was a selection of speakers geared toward the education and development of the membership, including changing perceptions of acceptable workplace behaviors and office attributes by the Department’s Office of Equal Opportunity, updates on significant swim lane changes in UC Modernization, UC Debit Cards, UC Office Reorganization, and Workforce Investment Board program updates and implementations. A featured speaker, Ms. Marna Hayden, presented changing and current mores and manners of business etiquette for today’s workplace, and developing appropriate “soft skills.” The Chapter’s Program Chair, Anthony Betti, and Treasurer, Audrey Bergstresser, were the driving force in arranging for the speakers and Institute site. Spring Conference Currently, planning has begun for the Spring Conference to be held in State College in mid- to late April depending on hotel availability. The agenda would include UC Modernization Project and Workforce Development Systems updates. Also included on the agenda would be Chapter Awards presented by Deputy Secretaries and Bureau Directors, or their designees. Time will also be allotted for the annual Chapter business Meeting. A possible theme for the Conference is “IAWP: What’s In It For Me?” Membership Plan The Chapter’s Membership Chair, Kathryn Parks, submitted a detailed Membership Plan for 2008. Announcement of the availability of membership benefits and application is in the process of being placed on the Department’s intranet – L and I On Line, or LION. Helen S. Nicholson Scholarship Fund The Chapter has begun developing a plan for awarding educational grants to its members from the Helen S. Nicholson Scholarship Fund. Helen was a long-time active member of the Pennsylvania Chapter, which has been raising funds for this purpose for the past several years in Helen’s memory. Announcement of the availability of this scholarship is also in the process of being placed on the LION. The Education Committee has not yet granted any awards. Awards The Awards Committee sent nominations for the Veterans and One-Stop awards to International for consideration. In addition, the Awards Committee received numerous other recommendations which will be reviewed for Chapter Awards to be handed out as part of the Spring Conference. Richmond Conference Support The Chapter Board voted to provide $25 toward a District 3 advertisement in the Richmond International Conference program in conjunction with a $25 contribution from the New Jersey Chapter to assist in defraying Conference costs. In addition, two chapter members also volunteered to contribute $25 each thereby permitting acquisition of a $100 ¼ page advertisement. Agency Support Chapter leadership will be scheduling meetings with the new Department Acting Secretary and the new Acting Director of the Bureau of Workforce Development Partnerships to elicit continued support of the PA IAWP Chapter as a Department-related entity. |
