“All The News That’s Fit to Print and Some That Isn’t”© 

 

 

Two very different local clubs, Norfolk and the Cape Henry, have been selected by RI for its pilot program that runs from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017.  The focus behind being a flexible and innovative club will be a shift from focusing on member attendance to focusing on member engagement.  More will follow and if you have ideas on what we might try, be sure to let the new Board know.

 

THOUGHTS FOR FATHER’S  DAY –

 

Mark Twain:  “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around.  But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” 

 

Something more important for all fathers to remember is what Reed Markham said:  “Being a great father is like shaving.  No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.”

 

 

In August of 2014 Opportunity, Inc., a regional workforce agency, announced that Shawn Avery would become its president and CEO on Sept. 1. He succeeded Judy Begland, who was retiring.

 

Avery had been vice president of the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development.  Before that, he was senior manager of development and community affairs at Opportunity Inc. He also had worked at Thomas Nelson Community College and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Peninsula.

 

Avery received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Christopher Newport University and a master’s from Florida Tech.

 

“Opportunity Inc. has been and will continue to be a key contributor to our region’s and Virginia’s economic health and vitality,” Avery said in a statement back in 2014. “With regional employment improving but still below its pre-recession levels, workforce development has never been more important.”

 

Following a formal introduction by Mark “I’m Happy To Be Alive” Johnson, Rotarian of the Day, Avery (one of the “Top 40 Under 40”) discussed the purpose and mission of OppInc.   Avery explained that the Chief Local Elected Officials (CLEO) of the Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach and the Counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton work collaboratively with Opportunity Inc.'s Board of Directors to meet the region's workforce development needs.

 

The CLEOs have fiduciary and oversight responsibilities for the Workforce Investment Act funds awarded to the Board, and act in an advisory capacity to the Board in this regard. They also provide input for the regional workforce development strategy. Opportunity Inc. staff meets with the CLEOs at least quarterly to provide an update on workforce development activities in the region.

 

There are three levels of service provided by OppInc.’s One-Stop Workforce Centers: core, intensive and training. OppInc services are funded through the US Department of Labor so there is never a charge.

 

Core Services - basic assistance and self-directed services available to all job seekers.  They include:

 

Intensive Services - one-on-one and small group assistance provided by an OppInc Career Developer. Visit your nearest OppInc One-Stop Workforce Center to determine eligibility for intensive services that include the following:

 

Training Services - intensive services clients may be eligible to receive funding for occupational skills training from an OppInc approved training provider or an employer while on-the-job. 

 

Avery explained that Opportunity Inc.’s One-Stop Workforce Centers are the forward edge of a comprehensive workforce development system meant to help job seekers and employers alike. Not only is training aligned with industry needs, providing individual clients with the greatest chance to find employment, but Opportunity Inc. provides direct services to employers as well.

 

Clearly the organization is providing a great service in assisting folks in getting jobs as well as helping employers find qualified workers.  The organization’s current areas of emphasis include advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and jobs in the medical/health industry.

 

The organization currently has a staff of 20 in its One Stop Centers, 8 staff in Youth Programs, and 10 folks handling paperwork including accounting.

 

In his honor, “Rotary Writer #1” announced that Going Places was being given to Norview Elementary School

 

ALMOST BREAKING NEWS ALERT – The investigative staff of Rotations, after an intensive investigation and search of corporate records at the State Corporation Commission (“SCC”), initially thought that reports of things being a little lax at Opportunity, Inc. and that some of its legal affairs were not being handled as they should be might be correct.  In December 1988 the corporation was purged from the records at the SCC likely because the corporation failed to file its annual report or pay the required registration fee.  Apparently reinstated, its existence was again terminated on December 31, 2013.  The most likely cause was the corporation’s failure to pay the required registration fee of file its annual report.  “Wild Bill” Jonak and “You’ll Never See Your Luggage Again” Shank were assigned the duty of following up on this breaking story and, unlike “Rolling Stone” sought out different sources.  It turns out that Opportunity, Inc., despite its corporate sounding name, is not a corporation but rather is a Public Authority created by the area cities and counties to insure the area has a pipeline of workforce talent.  Turns out it is the largest such authority in the state with a 51 member board, a geographical reach that include Southampton County to the West and a budget of about $6.5 million.

 

MORE OF TUESDAY’S MEETING - “Rotary Writer in Residence #1,” Pres. Sigur, called the meeting to order at noon, reminded one and all to silence their cell phones, and summoned Eleanor “Wipe Out Malaria” Schoonover, a Rotary songbird,  to lead us in singing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” and “Sing Out A Song of Rot’ry.”  The Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Chick “Blue Badge” Robison, courtesy of a Canadian Rotarian, followed.

 

“Rotary Writer in Residence #1” announced that our School of the Week was Norview Elementary School.  She then called on Jean “I’ll Insure You Are Insured If You Are Insured Through Me” Owens for a visitation report.  She tried to pronounce the medical condition plaguing Sue Wells, wife of Irv “G-Man” Wells.  She couldn’t get it out and even if she had we would not have understood.  Suffice it to say that she has a fluid buildup on her brain and has had surgery to correct the problem.  “G-Man” told her that the prognosis is good and we are sending her a get well card.  There were no other reported folks under the weather but our medical reporters did learn that Bob “The Clock Man” Latimer and “Teddy Bear” Baker are scheduled for procedures soon to correct atrial fibrillation.  They are apparently have slightly different procedures but the news staff has both of them in our thoughts and prayers.   

 

John “The Marathon Man” Searing would have introduced visiting Rotarians and guests but there were none.  Since we were performing on the Chrysler Hall stage, perhaps they could not find us!!

 

 

 

 

 

There was no raffle and with that, the show ended and the meeting adjourned with the announcement that next week’s program will be:  Jaclyn Spainhour, Assistant Director, Hunter House whose talk will be – The Gilded Age in Norfolk, Virginia:  Tidewater Wealth, Industry, and Propriety.  

 

Y’all come now.