Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
By Cathy Beach

The Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (SHP) provided by Holly Schirmer,
SPHR, CAC on November 6, 2007 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. was a success!
There were a total of 13 attendees representing six-(6) different agencies from
two-(2) counties at the low cost of $79.00 per person.

Holly's approach was different from any of the SHPT workshops I have
previously attended. She demanded respect by her background and
experience and her relaxed, professional demeanor made attendees feel at
ease and comfortable to discuss the difficult topic. One of the exceptional
differences was that Holly did an excellent job laying a foundation of the
seriousness of the topic and the reputation damages and financial
consequences to individuals and companies. To accomplish this, Holly used
documented examples of claims awarded in the past.

She used an overhead PowerPoint presentation, along with handouts for
attendees to follow along and take notes. In her presentation, she used an
interactive approach (using scenarios) and, together, the group answered
13 questions on a quiz and six-(6) questions on a post instruction quiz.
Each attendee was provided a packet of information, including online
resources for further individual research.

 

Job & Career Transition Coach Training

November 26-28 (Oroville)
By Marilyn Brodie & Cathy Beach

Recently several AFWD employees were invited to attend the Job and Career
Transition Coach Certification Workshop presented by Richard Knowdell in
Oroville CA.

Mr. Knowdell, a Career Development Expert, has created a simple four-step
process that helps job seekers and career changers organize
data into a concise and effective planning document. The Knowdell Career
Development and Job Search Profile is organized on a single sheet of paper
that allows individuals, or their career practitioners, to quickly view their plans
at any stage and to track their progress. His assessment tools, a card sorting
technique, engages the client in a non-threatening way that is viewed more as
a game than a test.

Athea Stephenson of Plumas Work Connection and Beth
Woodworth of Tehama County were invited by Mr. Knowdell to instruct a portion
of the 21 hours of required training. Ms. Stephenson did an excellent job providing
a brief summary and overview of Self-Directed Search (SDS) assessment
resources prepared by John L. Holland, PhD through Psychological Assessment
Resource, Inc. These assessment tools help an individual to determine the best
suited occupations most likely to be enjoyed, based on work personality types.

On November 28, approximately 30 students were internationally certified as
Job and Career Transition Coach by Executive Director Richard L. Knowdell,
under the authority of The Career Planning and Adult Development Network.
Four of the students that are newly certified are staff members of the Plumas
Work Connection; Tracie Nolan, Hyun Kim, Marilyn Brodie, and Cathy Beach.

 

Financing Your Business!
By Cathy Beach

Together, NoRTEC and AFWD, Inc. sponsored a Northeastern California
Regional Conference, “Financing Your Business,” which was held in Susanville,
California at the Lassen County Fairgrounds on December 11. This Conference
was designed for entrepreneurs, business start-ups, and existing businesses.
The event was a great success, with nearly 100 people attending. Stewart Knox,
Executive Director of North Central Counties Consortium provided the welcome
and opening remarks followed by three-(3) panels of speakers; Panel One was
comprised of private investors and commercial lenders, Panel Two was successful
entrepreneurs, and Panel Three address your business financing profile. During the
breaks, attendees networked with one another and the speakers.

We are especially appreciative to Jason Mouser, owner of Mouser Brothers Enterprises,
who represented Plumas County and served on the panel of successful
entrepreneurs. He did an exceptional job inspiring the attendees through the
presentation of his successes and challenges in getting started with his business
in Quincy, California

For more detailed information about the event, including panelist, please click here.


Panel #2, Alternative Financing

Entrepreuner Panelists




Outreach Materials



Panel #1 - Commerical and Private Financing





Stewart Knox, Introduction to WIRED

Alley Cat Cafe


The Alley Cat Cafe is the new coffee house located in Grover alley behind
The Studio Gallery.
The Cafe offers more than just coffee. Homemade soups, salads and sandwiches
along with sinful deserts are offered fresh daily.

Julie Hatzell, longtime resident of Quincy, contacted the Plumas Work Connection
in the summer for help with her Employee Policy Handbook and job descriptions
Last month we posted her job openings and pre screened applicants. Julie
went on to hire 3 of our clients.

We wish Julie and the gang at The Alley Cat Cafe great success! We are
looking forward to working with this business in the future.

AFWD - The Big Picture

Holly Schirmer, Director of Business Services and Traci Holt, Executive Director for AFWD, had the privilege of presenting at the October 2007, WIB/GB Meeting. The focus of the presentation was to highlight AFWD's successes from July 1, 2007. AFWD started 2007-2008 renewed emphasis on the business first philosophy. The business first approach places the highest priority on serving the human resource needs of small businesses. As more business customers are pleased with the services received from the One-Stops, including recruiting assistance, the more job orders they bring to the One-Stops. And more job orders bring in more job seekers, which increase the applicant pool available to employers. It’s a win, win situation for small business and job seekers. Our motto is, “Serving businesses to serve job seekers.”

We have worked diligently to reorganize the operations of the company to implement procedures that meet the needs of businesses. AFWD offers its services in four counties including Lassen, Plumas, Sierra, and Modoc, an area covering over 13,000 sq miles.

The results so far have been very impressive. More employers are utilizing AFWD’s human resource services and the requests for job order posting and customized recruitments are growing each week. Customized recruitments range from accepting applications for the employer, to pre screening, interviewing, and reference checking. In addition, the numbers of job seekers coming to the One-Stops continues to grow. Currently AFWD has an applicant pool of close to 500 job seekers looking for work. That’s the kind of pool that employers are eager to tap. The bottom line is that people are obtaining satisfying jobs in the communities in which they live, and our businesses are getting the employees they are looking for.

To view the presentation and see the honor that Holly and Traci received from the AFWD Team, please click here.

A BIG Thanks to the AFWD Team for all of your accomplishments!!

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

2008 Labor Law Workshop - January 15, 2008 10am-Noon
"Morning Business Exchange" First Tuesday each month 8:00am

To learn more about what we can do for you, contact your local One-Stop Employment Center or visit www.afwdhr.org

 

PLUMAS WORK CONNECTION, 283-WORK

LASSEN CAREER NETWORK, 257-5057

MODOC EMPLOYMENT CENTER, 233-4161

SIERRA WORK CONNECTION, 993-4295