Workforce InitiativesThe Workforce Connector is a monthly publication made possible by HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System, Prevea Health, and Xcel Energy. The Eau Claire Area Chamber has many initiatives to help employers retain, recruit and develop employees. Many of these programs, committees, and events have been around for years; At the 2019 Annual meeting our CEO/President David Minor announced the intention of focusing on Workforce Challenges and Solutions in the Chippewa Valley. This publication and the initiatives highlighted on our website are the beginning, use the button below to "learn more". The chamber's workforce initiatives are led by the Workforce Development Committee Chair, Monica Obrycki of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative and Kaylynn Stahlbusch, Workforce and Program Director of Eau Claire Area Chamber. Diversity Equity & Inclusion in the Workforce The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Taskforce is measuring the current business climate for DEI in the area. We’d like to know what you are thinking and doing in an effort to identify regional best practices and areas of need. Your response is very valuable, even if you don’t have formal policies regarding DEI. Your answers will help to determine priorities in serving Chamber investors in this topic area. Responses are needed by Thursday, February 18, 2021. Definition of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): Diversity in the workforce means respecting and appreciating differences in, for example, race, culture, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, people with a disability, religion, veteran status, class, and education. Equity is the quality to be fair and impartial. Inclusion is about focusing on the needs of every individual and ensuring the right conditions are in place for each person to achieve his/her/them full potential. COVID-19 Updates and ResourcesEau Claire County COVID-19 Economic IndicatorsSteps You Can Take to Make Your Nonprofit ResilientCOVID-19 cases continue to rise throughout the U.S., and your nonprofit’s services are needed more than ever. But as you learned when the pandemic first began, the results of what you build depend on the foundation you’ve set. To amplify your impact externally, you must first respond, recover and revitalize internally. That’s why we’ve put together an e-book that dives into your next steps – actionable items that improve your infrastructure and set your employees up for success. In this e-book, you’ll learn how to: - Take remote work to the next level - Rethink how you manage remote employees - Manage employees’ fear and uncertainty and boost morale - Assess your technology - And more CDC Issues Vaccine Toolkit for EmployersToday the CDC issued its "COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started," which includes posters, FAQs, and templates to use when communicating with your workforce about the vaccine. In addition, the Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services' webpage on the vaccine has a great deal of information specific to our state. As always, as you consider the vaccine and its applicability to your workforce, do not hesitate to contact your COVID team with questions. Biden Issues an Executive Order Related to COVID-19 and Worker SafetyOn January 21, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order ("Order") which directs the Secretary of Labor, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to:
DHS Announces Groups Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Tentatively Beginning March 1The Department of Health Services (DHS) announced future groups that will be eligible tentatively beginning March 1, 2021. Groups are being prioritized due to an increased risk of exposure or vulnerability to COVID-19 and are consistent with the recommendations from the State Disaster Medical Assistance Committee (SDMAC). The groups in priority order include education and child care, individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs, some public-facing essential workers, non-frontline health care essential personnel, and facility staff and residents in congregate living settings. “We’re going to keep getting shots in arms as quickly as possible and as soon we have vaccines available,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “In the meantime, we have to continue working together to prevent the spread of this virus by wearing face coverings and limiting gatherings with others while we vaccinate folks across our state.” March 1 is a tentative date, dependent on vaccine supply from the federal government. If vaccine supply increases from the federal government, these populations may be eligible before March 1. However, if vaccine supply decreases, they may be eligible after March 1. Currently, Wisconsin is receiving about 70,000 vaccine doses from the federal government weekly. Due to a limited supply of vaccine, SDMAC prioritized groups for eligibility. These recommendations come after SDMAC reviewed the science and considered nearly 5,000 public comments to provide guidance that equitably distributes the vaccine across the state. Bus Drivers, Grocery Workers Could Be Next In Line for COVID-19 ShotsA panel of medical and ethical experts in Wisconsin is recommending grocery workers be prioritized for the coronavirus vaccine along with bus drivers, teachers, inmates and correctional staff. The group making suggestions to the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (SDMAC) did not specifically consider older adults in its meeting Wednesday morning. A day earlier, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced those age 65 and older will be eligible for shots beginning Monday. DHS previously bumped up firefighters and police, and some have already been immunized. The preliminary decision to include grocery workers in the next round, phase 1b, of vaccinations marks a shift from initial discussions and comes after a deluge of public comment. There were roughly 5,000 comments in all, some from groups the panel concluded should wait. Veterinarians and drivers for ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber would be included in the third phase of vaccinations, group 1c. That phase also includes people with chronic health conditions. Resources to Grow, Improve, and Innovate Your BusinessExplore Eau Claire Concierge Program New Investor!The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce has released a new workforce solution to the area! We found a solution to help you bring in and retain the talent you work so hard to find. The Eau Claire Area Chamber has launched Explore Eau Claire, a community concierge program. This program is exclusive for you, our investors! Thank you to our newest Investor University of Wisconsin Eau Claire for supporting this program and its growth in our community. The Explore Eau Claire program acts as a connection to your job candidates/new hires and their families as they make the choice to call Eau Claire home and begin the process of relocation. We ask what’s important to them and will make the connections that help newcomers integrate in our community. In areas such as: • Schools • Churches • Hobbies/Interests • Housing • Pet Care • Community Involvement You can find more information here. If you have any questions or would like to be one of our limited initial investors, please reach out to us at exploreec@eauclairechamber.org. You sell your company. We sell the community. Wipfli: Events to Help Grow Your OrganizationThe health, well-being and safety of all registrants is our top priority. With the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we are closely monitoring each event and will be updating registrants accordingly. Wipfli offers various events, seminars and forums on a wide range of topics during the course of the year. We are excited to offer you a wide variety of forums to help you stay ahead of the curve and help your organization continue to grow. Head Start/Early Head Start Regulation Boot Camp 2/9/2021 12:30 PM - 2/11/2021 04:00 PM (CT) Industry: Nonprofits, Governments Type: Live Webinar Cost $825 CLU Credits: 10.5 The Head Start Act and the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) contain pages and pages of guidelines that HS/EHS programs need to follow to stay in compliance. The goal is to help you get comfortable with what HS/EHS programs need to follow to stay in compliance. Senior HR Forum for Financial Institutions 2/9/2021 01:30 PM - 04:30 PM (CT) Industry: Financial Institutions Type: Live Webinar Cost $1063 Now more than ever, it’s incredibly important to have a trusted peer group of HR professionals to confer with about emerging trends and challenges in our field. We saw so much change so fast in the first few months of the COVID-19 outbreak, and no doubt this will continue through 2020 and into 2021 — if not beyond. Foundational HR business forum series for construction and real estate 2/11/2021 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM (CT) Industry: Construction and Real Estate Type: Live Webinar Cost $398 Wipfli’s Foundational HR Business Forum provides a dynamic and interactive environment designed to enhance the core knowledge and skills of those with HR responsibilities within construction and real estate industries. Senior HR Forum for Nonprofits 2/11/2021 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM (CT) Industry: Nonprofits Type: Live Webinar Cost $1773 Wipfli has created a dynamic and interactive small-group HR forum specifically for nonprofits, constructed with a flexible agenda that allows us to shift or add topics as new issues surface. The same people will participate in each forum session throughout the year, allowing individuals to develop powerful and lasting professional relationships and to engage in specific problem solving. Our facilitators will customize your forum to fit the needs of your group and emerging challenges. Senior HR Business Forum in Eau Claire, WI 2/16/2021 08:30 AM - 12:00 PM (CT) Type: In Person Event Cost $398 Event Location: Wipfli Eau Claire 4890 Owen Ayres Court Suite 200 Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701 Now more than ever, it is incredibly important to have a trusted peer group of senior-level HR professionals to confer with on emerging trends and challenges in our field. We saw so much change so fast in the first few months of the COVID-19 outbreak and no doubt this will continue through 2020 and into 2021, if not beyond. Due to the rapidly shifting circumstances, Wipfli has created a dynamic Senior HR Business Forum, constructed with a flexible agenda that allows us to shift or add topics as new issues surface. Our facilitators will customize your Forum to fit the needs of your group and emerging challenges. You will get sound, practical information on new trends in key functional areas of HR management and a consistent group of professional colleagues to collaborate with year-round. Resource development series – Finance 2/16/2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CT) Industry: Nonprofits Type: Live Webinar Cost $95 CLU Credits: 1 This three-part series will focus on how to align finance, talent and technology strategies and resources for long-term organizational success. We will discuss ways of diversifying revenue streams that allow for maximum flexibility to meet needs unable to be met with restricted funding. In-Depth Training on OMB's Uniform Guidance 2/16/2021 12:30 PM - 2/18/2021 04:00 PM (CT) Industry: Nonprofits, Governments Type: Live Webinar Cost $825 CLU Credits: 10.5 Join us online for this virtual training workshop to learn about the Uniform Guidance regulations (2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards). We will review the regulations, share examples and stories and also share best practices learned from years of auditing and consulting. Wipfli Healthcare Connections: Audit requirements for recipients of HHS Provider Relief Funds 2/16/2021 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (CT) Industry: Healthcare Type: Live Webinar Cost Free During the live event Wipfli healthcare specialists will provide insights on the audit requirements for recipients of Health and Human Services (HHS) Provider Relief Funds (PRF). With the funding being subject to a Single Audit under the Uniform Guidance, it is critical that healthcare finance officers and their teams understand the regulatory, accounting and auditing implications and start preparing now. National Association of Workforce Boards: How Workforce Development Boards Can Drive Innovation in the Career Navigation Technology Market In a typical year, about four million job seekers of all ages receive career services assistance from the nation’s 550 local workforce boards and 2,500 American Job Centers. As millions of Americans file for unemployment due to economic and public health crises, these organizations continue to experience historic volumes of requests for assistance from jobseekers. In the face of this unprecedented, widespread demand, the workforce system has an opportunity to radically transform the way it does business to meet the shifting expectations of workers, learners, and businesses alike. Reinventing the career navigation experience by putting powerful new tools and platforms to use will be a foundational strategy for the wide-scale digital transformation that we imagine. Often referred to as “intermediaries,” workforce development boards sit at the career development intersection, often supporting individuals during times of crisis (like today) or other important points of transition as they make important decisions about life, learning, and work. For entry-level and middle-skill workers, especially, workforce development boards are lifelines at times of job transition or disconnection. Workforce development boards and job centers invest in technologies to provide services to workers and learners more efficiently, reinforce staff capacity, and navigate the complex career and industry landscape themselves. Having the client base, scale, and spending ability to make big investments in technology and digital transformation, they are a powerful catalyst for innovation in the career navigation technology market. Ted Talk: Three Ways to create a Work Culture that Brings out the Best in Employers | Chris WhitePodcast Recommendations: Leadership and Management Podcasts to Inspire You1. The $100 MBA This show is hosted by Omar Zenhom, with more than 14 years of experience in business building, he attended Wharton for an aim to “revolutionize business education,” this podcast offers 10-minute business lessons. It boils down to a focused topic in business by industry leaders and avoids backstories and promotional pitches. 2. Engaging Leader This podcast, the Engaging Leader, is an audio program where host Jesse Lahey and his guests share communication and leadership principles, and tell stories that illustrate putting those principles into practice. Jesse is a speaker, author, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in leadership and workforce communications. 3. Beyond the To-Do List Many jobs entail you to make some sort of a To-Do List, but what’s beyond it is more interesting. A lot of leadership and management podcasts discuss goal setting in some way. This podcast is all about learning how to choose the right projects, tasks, and goals in work and life. This show will help you do that with conversations with the people behind the productivity. Events/UpdatesEC City Council and County Board Plan Tuesday, Feb 2, Vote on Local Back-Up Mask Mandate Ordinance With the state legislature potentially striking down the current statewide mask mandate, the Eau Claire City Council and Eau Claire County Board have scheduled special meetings on Tuesday, Feb 2, to act on a back-up local mandate that would take effect if the state order ends. The City of Eau Claire has also posted a community survey looking for citizen input about a local mandate. Virtual Eggs & Issues: The State of the City (Eau Claire)Friday, Feb 19, 7:30-9:00 a.m. (Via Perigon) City Council President Terry Weld and Interim City Manager Dave Solberg will recap highlights from 2020 and take a look ahead at the City's challenges and plans for 2021. Virtual Community Conversation: Community Health Needs AssessmentThe Community Health Needs Assessment that United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley supports has collected the data from its survey. Now that the first step of our assessment process is complete, we are embarking on the next step which is a series of virtual community conversations taking place in Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties. You are invited to participate in one of these conversations if you’re able. Joining United Way in the partnership are the Chippewa and Eau Claire City-County health departments, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System, Sacred Heart Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Hospital. Representatives of these organizations will facilitate small group discussions on the results and at the conclusion of each conversation, all attendees will have the ability to rank the top three needs in our region. This feedback will be used in generating our final report. In order to RSVP for a conversation, click on the link below that corresponds with the county you reside in or see the attached flyers. There you will see the three date and time options available and you can select the one that works best. You’ll then receive an email with a link to join the virtual conversation. Click Here: Chippewa County Click Here: Eau Claire County ![]()
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EC Chamber Business After HoursPlease join us for Business After Hours on Monday, February 8 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Come network, network, network! The format for this event is as follows:
Thank you to our sponsors: 29 Pines Restaurant & The Lodge, Sleep Inn & Suites Conference Center and River Country Co-Op! Admission is $8 for Chamber members and $12 for non-members. Members may purchase passes in advance from the Chamber for $7 (minimum of 4). We are looking forward to seeing all of you! Comments are closed.
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Eau Claire ChamberThe Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce has more than 1,200 members. Archives
February 2021
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