Building a Successful Employment Network Advisory

Debbie Oistacher, Career Placement Facilitator

Broward County Public Schools

Atlantic Technical College and Technical High School

Objectives

After this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand the importance of networking

• Reach out and engage your local community

• Recruit members

• Develop the purpose and rationale for your advisory board

• Strengthen and grow your advisory

• Put your advisory to work

Contents of Folder • Career Placement Services Flyer

• Career Placement Tri-Fold for Employers

• Why Join Your Local Chamber of Commerce by Betsy Demitropoulous

• Advisory Boards: Seven Great Reasons to Have One by Anita Campbell

• Career Placement Services Advisory Letter

• Career Placement Advisory Rationale and Purpose

• Career Placement Advisory Directory

• Career Placement Advisory Meeting Sign In Sheet

• Career Placement Advisory Meeting Agenda

• Career Placement Advisory Minutes

• Career Placement Advisory Sign-Up Sheet Areas of Interest/Volunteering

• What is a Career Placement Mentor? (Advisory)

• What is a Career Placement Mentor? (Student)

• Speed Meeting Rules

• Speed Meeting Questions

• Putting Your Advisory Volunteers to Work

Backstory…

What is an Advisory

Global

The board of directors of a nonprofit organization is its legal, governing body. In contrast, an advisory does not have any formal legal responsibilities. Rather, an advisory is convened by the organization to give advice and support. The advisory is tailored to the needs of the organization.

Specific to Career Placement

• Offer specific advice on the hiring needs of businesses and industries in which Career Placement students are applying for jobs,

• Recruit potential Advisory members that represent areas of interest (retail, hospitality, childcare, valet, warehouse worker, health care, etc.),

• Ensure that Career Placement students are coached on what is required for the entry level positions in which they are applying,

• Promote public awareness of Career Placement,

• Broaden the perspective of Career Placement staff in order to better understand what soft skill (employability skills) are required for students to be successful and maintain their employment,

• Assist Career Placement staff in developing long-range goals,

Why have an Advisory Council?

• “Street Cred”

• All Technical Programs must have Advisory Councils

• Expertise You Can’t Buy

• Business Contacts When You Need Them

• The Benefits of a Board of Directors Without the Hassles

• Simple and Inexpensive to Set Up and Operate

• Grow and Market Your Program Faster

• A Personal Sounding Board

• Mentoring

The Benefits of Networking • NETWORKING is the single most

powerful marketing tool to grow and sustain success!

• Join Your Local Chamber of Commerce

• Relationship Building – People do business with those they like and trust. They serve as a resource and help others succeed.

• Connecting with human resources professionals

• Meeting business owners

• Creating a reputation for yourself and your program

• “Social Capital”

Get & Stay Connected!

Our Advisory Council members are saying…

“Rewarding”, “ I want to give back”, “ Our meetings leave me feeling great!”

Engaging Your Local Community The community includes a wealth of resources which can support an individual to reach his/her goals of independence and competitive employment; such as:

• CareerSource

• Center for Independent Living (CIL)

• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

• Children’s Services Councils

• Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)

and the Employment Enhancement Program (EEP)

• Institutions of Higher Education

• City and County Government Officials

• Chambers of Commerce

Getting Started • Identify who will take the lead in developing the advisory council • Identify and invite individuals from your networking circle • Schedule a meeting to develop the rationale and purpose of the

advisory council • Recruit advisory council members • Set a date to meet • Work with a few key people you have recruited to set a meeting agenda • Hold your Advisory Meeting • Move Forward

Building and Acknowledging

Tips for Recruiting Members •Diversity • Incentives •Recruit the right people, those who

support your mission •Recruit strategically

How to Strengthen and Grow Your Advisory Council

• Tap Into Motives

• Ask a community leader to chair the advisory committee and act as a spokesperson for the organization in the community

• Alternatively, have a board member lead the advisory committee and sub committees

• Make Volunteering Convenient

• Make the Experience Fun and Rewarding

• Show Appreciation

Putting Your Advisory Board to Work

Advisory Boards have meetings, and they also get things done!

• Grants

• P.R. and Marketing

• Interview Closet

• Mentoring

• Mock Interviewing

• Resume Assistance

• Guest Speaker

• Tour of Business

• Internships

Let’s talk…

• What do you currently have?

• Where have you been successful?

• Have you experienced any challenges?

• After today’s presentation, do you have any next steps planned?

Contact Information

Debbie Oistacher, Career Placement Facilitator

Phone: (754) 321-5217

Fax: (754) 321-5380

Debra.Oistacher@browardschools.com