Access to a qualified workforce is essential to the economic attractiveness of a community. Last week we heard from the two local women who are community leaders in providing that access - Heather Palermo (left), Director of Lifelong Learning at Great Falls College MSU, and Beth Schmidt (right), director at Job Service Great Falls.
Heather talked about the customized training and skills-based non-credit coursework available through Great Falls College. As an example of the latter, there's been quite a demand for Excel brush-ups recently. The most recent example of customized training is the partnership the College is entering into with the City of Great Falls to provide city firefighters with training as paramedics - vitally important due to the current shortage of EMT workers in the region.
Beth talked about the apprenticeship programs available in a variety of career areas. The advantage of a licensed apprenticeship is that the credential travels from workplace to workplace and from state to state. MontanaWorks, a division of Montana's Department of Labor, can help businesses set up apprentice or employees/students get access to the apprenticeship of interest to them. Beth emphasized that developing a workforce starts early: Kids should begin career exploration in sixth grade and evolve through experiences at exploration, preparation, internships and on-the-job experiences.
Rotarians were encouraged to visit with either Heather or Beth or to visit their websites to see how they might take advantage of workforce training readily available in Great Falls.
This Week at Rotary
What will the recent tax changes mean to you? Find out this week as fellow Rotarian Megan Connors and her A-Z team bring us up to speed. Join us at noon at the country club!
Is the number on the back of your Rotary button #94? If so, you're the lucky Bulletin Bucks winner of the week! Contact President Todd Neighbors to collect your $25 cash card.
December Service Project Rings a Bell
It's that time of year again. Every December, Rotary Club of Great Falls helps the Salvation Army by ringing bells for kettle donations outside one or two local stores. It involves two hours of your time and it's a great way to catch some of that holiday spirit.
This year Lacey Gallagher is heading up the volunteer effort. She has committed to providing bell-ringers for Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. The locations this year are Smith's (Marketplace) and J.C. Penney (Holiday Village).
The day is divided into two-hour shifts. We try to schedule at least two Rotarians per shift. On occasion, Rotarians have brought caroling books and caroled their way through the shift.
If you'd like to help, contact Lacey Gallagher at 406-788-8284. Since it's only a week away, time is of the essence.
Holiday Luncheon Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars now for the annual holiday luncheon, which replaces our regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the country club. We will be entertained by one of the school's musical groups. Feel free to bring a loved one as Rotary's guest.
Milestones
Happy birthday today to past president Colin Lee. It's a good day for you, Colin, that turned out to be a good day for our club!
This Thursday marks the birthday of two venerable Rotarians who have done much for the club, for our community, and our state: Ian Davidson and David Cameron. Best wishes and deep gratitude to you both!
Weekly Whimsy
The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
Vince Lombardi
The reward of such efforts goes deeper than the goal itself. The reward is a shared satisfaction and mutual respect that forges lasting friendships and future successes.
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