INTRODUCTION
The Best Practices publication was prepared by the California Employer Advisory Council (CEAC) Coordinator to provide information on effective strategies and practices used by the Employer Advisory Councils (EAC) in California. Best Practices is part of the CEAC's initiative to offer guidance to members and encourage the exchange of ideas amongst local councils.
Best Practices is a sampling of the successful practices and value-added services offered by employer councils across the state. While some practices may seem similar, they are included because it is instructive to learn how each council approaches and conducts its events and activities. Though methods may vary, the results have met with much success. The variety of subjects and issues addressed, as well as the positive attitude concerning this effort, reinforces the strengths and potential of all EACs in California.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many people contributed in the preparation of this Best Practices publication. A special thanks to all of the EAC Coordinators who committed to researching and providing the examples of their EAC's successful practices. Their hard work has resulted in a truly positive tool that will be of tremendous value to the success of California EACs for years to come.
A special thanks to the Employment Development Department's (EDD) Publication Center and the Marketing and Constituent Services office for their continuous support in producing graphics, reviewing, editing and printing of CEAC and EAC publications.
The EDD, an equal opportunity employer/program, is a partner in this publication. Special requests for alternate formats need to be made by calling the phone number of your local EDD office (listed in the phone directory under "State of California, Employment Development Department").
South Placer Employer Advisory Council
To increase the membership and attendance at the monthly luncheon meetings, the South Placer Employer Advisory Council began inviting attorneys to speak on various employer-related topics. The result: attendance at the monthly meetings has increased from 20 to 25, to more than 50 at every meeting. "It could be the topics, but similar topics had been spoken on before and the turnout was not like we see it today. Perhaps the idea that attorneys are providing legal advice is what made the topic seem more interesting."
Anita Lowe — Coordinator
Greater Stockton Employer Advisory Council
The Greater Stockton EAC (GSEAC) believes that its diversity and dedication are the primary reasons for their success. The GSEAC is comprised of employer representatives from small, private enterprises to large corporations who bring years of experience and expertise to the EACs monthly membership meetings, employer seminars, and to the business community at-large.
The GSEAC is dedicated to collaborating on the many issues affecting the employer community and to bring about a referendum on these issues. As a result, the GSEAC is able to launch successful promotions to increase membership and attendance at the meetings, identify new and more professional approaches to announce upcoming events and seminars, and most of all, find creative ways to thank the EAC members for their continued interest and support.
The GSEAC holds regular monthly membership breakfast meetings at 7:30 a.m. on the second Friday of each month. At the close of each meeting, they raffle a prize that is often a book the speaker has written, tickets to a community event, or a gift certificate for attendance at a free breakfast meeting. Other invaluable practices include surveying members and reminder calls prior to the monthly meetings.
As for charitable contributions, the GSEAC underwrites many of the monthly veteran workshop materials and donates to the Youth Employment Opportunity Program at many of the San Joaquin County EDD offices. Cash donations have been given to the local Children's Home, the Women's Center, and the Stockton Symphony. Each year during the Christmas holiday season, the GSEAC truly demonstrates the spirit of giving by dispersing toys to deprived children. The GSEAC has found that their community involvement brings about the dedication of their diverse customer base and the recognition as a positive influence within the community.
Dean "Fritz" Turner — Coordinator
Desert Communities Employer Advisory Council
The Desert Communities EAC encourages attendance at their monthly membership meetings by offering door prizes, attendance certificates, and honoring a perfect attendance employer annually. Membership increased when Desert Communities began billing the past year members to renew their membership. The EAC has found that people see greater value in an organization when they have a financial stake in its success. Also, to demonstrate strong support to the EAC, the EDD management team makes it a priority to send at least one staff person and a veteran representative, in addition to the coordinator, to each of the EAC monthly meetings.
Anita Marlowe — Coordinator
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Inland Valleys Employer Advisory Council
The Inland Valleys EAC provides a legislative or human resource case law briefing at each of their luncheon meetings. The briefing takes place before the main speaker begins their presentation. This practice provides members timely information on legislative matters and current human resource case law, and does not take away from the main presentation.
In addition to a flyer being mailed three weeks prior to the monthly luncheon meetings, the EAC secretary works with volunteers who telephone members 10 days prior to the event to remind them of the meeting. This practice has tremendously boosted their luncheon meeting attendance.
Lee Schrank — Coordinator
Inland Empire Employer Advisory Council
The Inland Empire EAC provides a legislative seminar at the first of the year. Existing EAC members who have renewed, or new members who have joined within a prescribed period of time, can send one delegate at no cost. Each delegate wears a nametag at the meetings to encourage interaction.
Each year Inland Empire allocates one board meeting to prepare a budget and plan the meeting calendar for the entire year. This helps with the overall organization and saves time at board meetings during the year.
Mary Nemnich — Coordinator
Marin County Employer Advisory Council
The Marin County EAC decided to reward its steering committee members by treating them to lunch. The board pays the registration fees to send two members to other Bay Area EAC seminars. Each time fresh new ideas are brought back and Marin County sees how other EACs operate.
Pauline Fong — Coordinator
Southern Alameda Employer Advisory Council
The Southern Alameda County EAC sends quarterly newsletters to all of their members. The newsletters feature legislative updates, EDD updates, the employer member of the month, etc. During each monthly meeting, the EAC holds a business card drawing for a future breakfast meeting at no cost. The winner of this drawing is also designated as the employer member of the month. During the breakfast meeting, the winning employer is given an opportunity to talk about their company's product or service. This year Southern Alameda began providing a table at each meeting so members can display information about their business.
For community outreach, Southern Alameda donates to the Family Emergency Shelter Coalition Organization (FESCO). The donation helps the shelter with work-related expenses for childcare, transportation, and other operating cost. Additionally, the EAC collects clothes that can be worn on interviews by the FESCO residents.
Each year Southern Alameda cosponsors a half-day seminar with the East Bay EAC. Both EACs benefit from this partnership. Southern Alameda also collaborates with the Hayward Chamber of Commerce to include an article in their monthly newsletter on upcoming EAC breakfast seminars. An insert about the breakfast meetings is also included in the Alameda newspaper and the Hayward Daily Review.
Maria Ballesteros-Escober — Coordinator
West Inland Empire Employer Advisory Council
The best practice for the West Inland Empire EAC (WIEEAC) has been the purchase of mouse pads and engraved paperweights with the CEAC and the WIEEAC logos. These promotional items are given to all new members, the seminar speaker, and the monthly meeting speakers as tokens of appreciation.
Jeannie (Maria) Frias
Foothill Employer Advisory Council
To increase membership for the Foothill EAC, the coordinator began attending the Auburn Chamber of Commerce New Members Luncheon. When attending chamber meetings, the coordinator hands out flyers for the upcoming EAC monthly meeting and the EAC's recruitment brochure that list meeting topics for the entire year.
Anita Lowe — Coordinator
Sonoma County Employer Advisory Council
The Sonoma County EAC has found that one of its best practices is being committed to giving back to the community. Sonoma County EAC has established a $10,000 endowment through the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation to assist a student with a career objective in business administration, personnel, or management. The original investment has resulted in a perpetual scholarship that will be awarded to a new student each year. In the past year, Sonoma County also donated $1,000 to help fund the salaries of youth employment counselors, ages 17-21. These counselors assist other youth in finding jobs.
During the holidays, Sonoma County also contributes to local charities. This past December, the EAC donated $3,000 to the Vietnam Veterans of America; Food for Thought, a local food bank for aids victims; the YWCA Domestic Violence Services Program; the Salvation Army; the Volunteer Center-Giving Tree Project, and to the Secret Santa program to help needy children and families in the community. Each organization received a $500 donation. The EAC also donated more than $2,000 to help a veteran and his family move from a motel into an apartment. During the annual steering committee luncheon in December, each EAC member brings a stuffed teddy bear to donate to the local police or fire department. These departments distribute the stuffed animals to children in crisis situations.
Sonoma County also donated $1000 to support the CEAC Conference—Trends 2000. They donated money to support the One-Stop open house; the Veteran's Career Fair; to Green Thumb for older worker recognition programs; Job Link; and for EDD's participation in the Business Expo. The Sonoma County EAC also assists the county with economic development through fundraisers and by working in cooperation with the local chambers of commerce. The EAC members also participated in focus groups to recruit members for the local Workforce Investment Board. "Truly, our Best Practice is service and that is how Sonoma County EAC chooses to spend their resources."
Heidi Timko — Coordinator
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Western Ventura County Employer Advisory Council
The best practices of the Western Ventura County EAC have been the purchase of two lavaliere microphones, and having a business card drawing at their monthly meetings. During seminars and monthly meetings, the microphones are passed around for employers to introduce themselves, market their businesses, and network. The winner of the drawing receives a free lunch at the next meeting they attend.
Lupe Ortiz — Coordinator
Santa Cruz Employer Advisory Council
The Santa Cruz EAC has tailored their quarterly seminars to be of more interest to the small business employers in the community. To accomplish this type of outreach, Santa Cruz partners with a local human resource professional group to cosponsor seminars. The local chamber was recently included in this partnership. Through partnering, coupled with frequency, the EAC seminars have become a very popular event.
Susan Pearce — Coordinator
Western Sector Los Angeles Employer Advisory Council
As a way to increase membership, the Western Sector EAC cosponsored a job fair with EDD. On the day of the event, an employer orientation is provided. The orientation includes an agenda and information on EDD services such as CalJOBS, WOTC, UI, etc. The EAC also presents information to employers on their role with EDD and the advantages of an EAC membership. This approach is also used for other EDD hosted events such as open houses, mini seminars, etc.
Barbara Rossi — Coordinator
San Mateo County Employer Advisory Council
The San Mateo County EAC has created a scholarship fund by collecting the proceeds of raffles held during each luncheon meeting. All the proceeds are used for the scholarship fund and each June, up to $2,000 is awarded.
Prior to the start of the luncheon meeting, San Mateo conducts a community service announcement time. Various community organizations such as the veteran representatives from EDD and representatives from the North Peninsula Family Alternatives group are provided a few minutes of "air time" to talk about their programs and community involvement.
Each year in November, all EAC members are asked to bring a stuffed bear along with a canned food donation to the meeting. The collection of stuffed animals is donated to the San Mateo County Share-A-Bear program. This program provides stuffed animals to children who are crime victims or whose parents may have problems with the police. Police officers give the children the bears to comfort them during questioning and other processes.
Anna Chan — Coordinator
Riverside County Employer Advisory Council
A best practice that keeps the Riverside EAC running smoothly is that each year they use the same location for their monthly meetings and their annual seminar. This saves time spent searching for other locations and the costs are known up front. At each meeting, Riverside hands out an extensive, detailed evaluation sheet. The evaluation includes questions about the attendance rate, the speaker, a section for listing topics of interest for future meetings, and asks if anyone attending is interested in serving on the EAC board.
At the end of the fiscal year, all of the information from the evaluations is compiled and the agenda for the next year is created based-on what the members have requested. The Riverside EAC does not charge membership dues. "Once you attend a meeting you are considered a member for that calendar year. This eliminates the headache and embarrassment of collecting dues. It has worked very well for us so far."
Brianne Swain — Coordinator
San Francisco Employer Advisory Council
The San Francisco EAC has a variety of practices they use to spark employer interest and increase attendance at meetings, as well as increase the membership. San Francisco holds nine monthly meetings each year. All attendees receive the speaker's handouts. However, if a person cannot make the meeting and requests a handout, they are only made available to EAC members. This practice encourages membership because most handouts are excellent.
San Francisco has developed a local marketing brochure that includes their logo, the Golden Gate Bridge. This brochure is mailed along with all inquires and is distributed at conferences, job fairs, etc. Included in each seminar agenda is a "Mark Your Calendar" section, listing EAC meetings and events for the next three months. San Francisco always ask for speakers pro bono. As a bargaining strategy, speakers are informed that their company name is sent out to more than 600 companies at least three times prior to the seminar for marketing purposes.
San Francisco's membership application includes a space to write in a check number. This helps the EAC when they have to research a check or an application. All meeting and seminar evaluations are reviewed to insure that the EAC programs reflect the members requests and needs. At the monthly steering committee meetings, board members take copies of applications that have been checked "YES, willing to serve on a committee," and follow-up personally to invite those people to a meeting. This practice encourages participation and helps the board with successful planning.
This year, to excite employers about the CEAC partnership conference, San Francisco held a drawing for two free registrations, one for nonprofit and one for profit. Employer members were also asked if they would like to contribute items for door prizes or to be conference sponsors. All employer donations were entered into a separate drawing for one free registration.
Betty Webb—Coordinator
Contra Costa County Employer Advisory Council
The CCC EAC has a variety of practices they use to spark employer interest and increase attendance at meetings and membership.
The CCCEAC holds 5-6 seminars each year. All seminars are held at the same location. This allows the coordinator to establish a close working relationship with the hotel and also allows discounts on room rentals and meals.
To encourage attendance each attendee, (excluding board members) are entered into a raffle with the chance to win a beautiful gift basket. There chances are doubled if they bring a guest. At the beginning of each seminar there are a few minutes dedicated to the “Member Spotlight”. This allows one of the members to share information about their company.
At the conclusion of each seminar, a detailed evaluation sheet is distributed. The evaluation includes questions about the speaker, topics of interest for future meetings, room accommodations etc. At the end of the year all of the information from the evaluations is compiled and the seminar schedule for the following year is created based-on what the members and seminar attendees have requested.
The CCC EAC coordinator sends a quarterly newsletter to all members. Legislative updates, EDD updates, seminar and event announcements, and information on sponsorships they contributed to during that period of time. Each issue also features one of the members.
Cindy Sugrue — Coordinator
Santa Clara County Employer Advisory Council
A successful practice of the Santa Clara County EAC has been to provide continuous support to the local veterans group. Santa Clara County EAC provides financial support to aid veterans in their job search and to assist them in job-readiness. The EAC provides financial support and supports all of the marketing efforts for the annual veteran's job fair. Throughout the year, veteran representatives are invited to EAC meetings to share information about the veteran's job fair. A veteran's representative also serves on the steering committee. This practice helps to keep the EAC apprised of important veteran affairs.
In response to the fast-paced Silicon Valley lifestyle, the Santa Clara EAC holds early morning breakfast meetings. The speaker is always done by 9:30 am, including questions. Busy employers can leave at that time, or stay for more questions.
At every breakfast meeting, there are two display tables with information and materials for employers. The information includes materials from EDD and from the One-Stop partners. "This practice has become a big hit with newcomers, and employers who have attended meetings before, know to check the table each time."
In addition to their regular mailing list, Santa Clara now targets potential employer members based on the workshop topic each month. For example, if the speaker's topic is Workers' Compensation, they mail flyers to local construction and building companies. "This is the hook to bring them in and then they learn the value of what an EAC membership has to offer."
Myrna Shiraev—Coordinator
San Fernando Valley Employer Advisory Council
At every seminar the San Fernando Valley EAC collects business cards for a drawing. The winners receive either an invitation to attend a seminar at no cost, or a one-year membership with the EAC. This practice promotes goodwill, increases the word-of-mouth publicity that promotes membership, and results in sold-out attendance at our seminars.
Kathleen Trinaystich — Coordinator
Monterey Peninsula Employer Advisory Council
The Monterey Peninsula EAC is relatively new. In January 1999, Monterey Peninsula and the Salinas Valley EACs combined. This also meant that the Salinas EAC would transition from the CEAC Region Four Area to the CEAC Region Two Area. The newly formulated EAC is in the process of developing what will be a strong steering committee by recruiting representatives from the various industries in Monterey County. They believe this will assist the EAC with keeping informed of what is important to the businesses in their area.
The Monterey Peninsula steering committee is comprised of human resource management services, agribusiness, employment services, education, banking and finance, municipal utilities, and the Hospitality Business Association. In the near future, Monterey hopes to include industries in county government, healthcare, insurance, and building. Monterey Peninsula EAC holds four events during the year: three breakfast meetings that include a guest speaker and one half-day seminar. This year's half-day seminar was a big success with more than 220 attendees.
Sandra Stevens — Coordinator
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Sacramento Employer Advisory Council
A best practice of the Sacramento EAC has been to invite unemployed professionals to their monthly luncheon meetings. During each meeting, a member of the Sacramento Professional Network (SPN) is invited to speak on their behalf and petition employers for possible career opportunities. This practice keeps EDD services current in the employers' minds and helps the SPN person obtain employment leads. The SPN is a chapter of Experience Unlimited, an EDD program that assists unemployed professionals with employment.
Bob SanGregorio — Coordinator
Yuba/Sutter/Colusa Employer Advisory Council
In an effort to increase workshop participation, the Yuba/Sutter/Colusa EAC changed workshop fees from an even number: $35 to $49.95. The EAC president feels this is a good selling technique. A drawing is held at every workshop and the table centerpiece, usually a decorative plant, is given to those employers that have a blue dot placed on a object at their location.
The Yuba/Sutter/Colusa EAC determined that a best practice would be to increase the level of services provided to its members. The number of workshops offered each year was increased; a local information hotline was established; the EAC increased its participation in community activities and their involvement with youth programs; they established a quarterly EAC newsletter, and they now produce a television show dedicated to providing information for employers.
Bill Padgett — Coordinator
North Kern Employer Advisory Council
Known as the "Biggest Little EAC in Kern County," the North Kern EAC (NKEAC) instituted the following best practices. The EAC seminars provide information to the business community at-large. In the town of Delano, this is considered a community event and seminars can be held in the town's civic center at no cost to the EAC. A small fee is charged; however, depending on the event. The EAC members save $20-30. Nonmembers pay only $10-15 depending on the cost of the event to the EAC.
During each meeting, board members introduce themselves, tell what their position is on the board, where they work, and give a statement about how the EAC has benefited them. An evaluation is given to each attendee at the end of every meeting. To ensure everyone completes an evaluation, all returned evaluations are entered into a drawing.
North Kern uses speakers that DO NOT CHARGE in exchange, for lunch. "Surprisingly, this seems to work so far." One or two days before the event, members are called to confirm they will be attending the seminar. This serves as a great reminder and helps boost attendance.
Hemet Temecula Employer Advisory Council
The best practice for the Hemet/Temecula EAC has been to hold its monthly board meetings. Rain or shine meetings are not cancelled. Hemet/Temecula works constantly to recruit new board members. The EAC members believe having a strong board and an EAC/EDD coordinator who is committed and willing to go the extra mile for the group, are the most critical aspects in having a successful EAC. Subcommittees are formed to keep employers interested and to share the various tasks required in running the EAC. Currently, Hemet/Temecula has a legislative committee, a publicity committee, a marketing committee, a program committee, a hospitality committee, and a Web site committee. Each committee gives a progress report at the monthly board meeting.
Mary Williams — Coordinator
Stanislaus County Employer Advisory Council
The Stanislaus County EAC believes that their best practice has been producing a colorful, attention-getting seminar flyer. Mailed with the flyer is a detailed letter that announces each regular EAC meeting. Stanislaus also holds a business card drawing at the close of each meeting. The winner is invited to attend the next meeting without a registration fee. Another highlight of their meeting is that the legislative chairperson performs an animated, legislative update vignette. At some meetings, local personalities are used when the agenda is focused on a local subject matter. Another practice is the continuous polling of members for recommended topics of interest, and then following-up with a positive, timely response to those suggestions. Involvement of the members in events such as job fairs, veteran functions, EDD office celebrations, and inclusion on discussions regarding workforce investment and One-Stop plans also helps keep employer members interested and participating.
Carletta Steele — Coordinator
San Diego Employer Advisory Council
Due to the makeup of San Diego County, the San Diego EAC has divided into four EAC areas. These councils are strategically located throughout the north, south, east San Diego region, and metro areas. With the implementation of these localized EACs, in conjunction with the Workforce Investment Act, San Diego employers have stepped forward to become an integral part of the newly created local Workforce Investment Boards. San Diego EAC is proud to be working with the local EDD offices and the One-Stop Career Centers in the development and implementation of these employer groups.
"San Diego's annual employer conference, "Workplace" is a big success. With more than 600 attendees each year, the conference is top-ranked among human resource professionals."
Grisel Razon — Coordinator
East Bay Employer Advisory Council
The East Bay EAC now combines their recruitment letter with the dues renewal letter. The letter includes a thank you and information on the benefits provided to EAC members. Some of the benefits include the EAC newsletter, seminar discounts, access to the CEAC Management Hotline, etc. The letter also indicates the membership expiration date of existing members. This practice enables the EAC to update and keep track of their employer records.
Elaine Pannell — Coordinator
Bakersfield Employer Advisory Council
During the Bakersfield EAC quarterly breakfast meetings a basket is passed for attendees to participate in a business card drawing. Three drawings are held and each winner is given three minutes for a commercial time slot to speak on behalf of their business. On the third card drawn, the employer is also invited to the next EAC breakfast meeting at no cost. This is a great way for employers to share their business and network with others.
Cheryl Peoples — Coordinator
Lake County Employer Advisory Council
The Lake County EAC best practices include their processes for increasing membership and for notifying employers of upcoming meetings. As a membership drive, Lake County uses a software program and sends "Certificates of Membership" to all current and former members, and to those employers who have attended more than one program during the year. A dues reminder is attached for those who are current members. This mailing is done in July at the start of their program year, and most employers immediately respond by writing a check because they have already received their membership certificate.
To boost attendance at monthly meetings, announcements are mailed two weeks prior to the program. If staffing permits, two days before the meeting, members receive call as a personal reminder of the meeting. A sign-in sheet is available at every meeting, and at least once a year, a survey is distributed to everyone that has attended any of the meetings. The survey requests ideas for future meetings, speaker recommendations, and inquiries as to the convenience of the meeting time and location.
Laurel Groshong — Coordinator
San Gabriel Valley Employer Advisory Council
Education, Dedication, and Recognition is what the San Gabriel Valley EAC (SGVEAC) believes has been their best practice over the years. Since the early eighties, each year SGVEAC has cosponsored with EDD four to five educational employer seminars. Each year the SGVEAC provides financial support for community service programs, and to support EDD programs and services. The SGVEAC believes that the EAC will always be successful as long as they are committed to serving and giving special recognition to the employer volunteers and their EDD partners.
Elizabeth Solis — Coordinator
Porterville Employer Advisory Council
The restructuring of committees has made a substantial difference for the Porterville EAC in keeping EAC members involved and having them attend meetings regularly. This practice has provided an opportunity for all EAC members to share the work involved in the basic EAC operations. In 1998, the EAC Chair, Teresa Jackson, established committees comprised of EAC members to assist with the coordination of the EAC's monthly, quarterly, and annual events. The Porterville EAC currently operates with a Web page committee, a membership committee, a seminar committee, and a publicity committee.
Along with the establishment of committees, the EAC voted to charge a minimal membership fee. The fee is $25 for a single membership or $50 for a corporate membership, which includes a maximum of three corporate representatives. Membership is renewable each January on an annual basis. The membership packet includes copies of the CEAC Management Hotline, the EAC/EDD Fact Sheet, the CEAC Web site address, and use of the Porterville EAC Web board. The EAC members are also given reduced rates to attend the annual seminar and there is no cost to attend the workshops. These incentives and promotions have helped Porterville to double the size of its membership and each year they grow even more.
Jim Chavez — Coordinator
North Coast Employer Advisory Council
The North Coast Employer Advisory Council (NCEAC) has found great success by supporting EDD programs and services. The NCEAC has been a strong supporter of a local area marketing effort known as the Eureka Marketing Project. The NCEAC agreed to finance the Project if the effort included information on the NCEAC as part of its marketing efforts. With the NCEAC's financial support, the Eureka Marketing Project held eight mini employer seminars. These seminars were aggressively marketed and had a large attendance. As a result, the NCEAC gained new members after each seminar. The Eureka Marketing Project gave EDD the opportunity to market its services, such as CalJOBS and Work Opportunity Tax Credit. The NCEAC also sponsored a grocery bag advertisement for CalJOBS and the NCEAC. More than 8,000 bags were printed and distributed throughout Humboldt County by the local co-op grocery stores.
This year, the NCEAC is cosponsoring an "Employee of the Year" campaign amongst its members. Employer members submit a nomination for their best employee; the NCEAC board then selects a winner. The winning employee receives a $500 prize and is recognized at the NCEAC annual conference.
Kim Caywood — Coordinator
Printed from the CEAC website: www.ceac.org - on Monday May 21st, 2012
http://ceac.org/coordinators/ceac_best_practices/
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