Inland Northwest Society for Human Resources Management presents Legal Conference in May

The 2008 INSHRM Human Resources and Legal Conference will be held on May 21st at CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point Park in Spokane Valley. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the program begins at 8:15 a.m. This is an all day event which includes lunch and materials with the cost. For INSHRM members, the cost is $100, for non-members $125 and for student members $45. To register, send an email to communication@inshrm.org.

For more information, click HERE.

Nonprofit Workshops for May

The Idaho Nonprofit Center is offering two workshops for Nonprofit organizations on May 6th.

"Nurturing Your Donors during Economic Turmoil"
What can you as a staff and board do to minimize the impact of the current economic turmoil on your organization? Come learn the organizational philosophy of donor stewardship, how to step up contributions from previous giving levels and how to do it all over the long haul. You'll gain:

• An understanding of donor stewardship as an organizational philosophy/attitude
• Knowledge of methods for removing roadblocks to incorporating donor stewardship into your organizational culture
• Three new strategies for immediate implementation for improving donor engagement

Presenters: Kristin Prieur of WhiteRock Consulting and Laurel York Odell of Concepts in Writing, Inc.

Half Day workshop - $65/ person

"Proven Strategies to Strengthen Your Board"
What defines an exceptional board and how can you become one? How do board members stay engaged, enthusiastic and committed to the organization's mission? This workshop is ideal for board members and executives who want their organization to thrive and not just survive. You will learn how you as board members can reach your full potential by:

• Focusing meetings on mission-based topics and actions
• Creating effective committees
• Operating with specific and clear job descriptions
• Engaging in techniques to attract, retain and motivate board members
• Tackling that thorny problem of fundraising

Presenters: Lynn Hoffmann, Idaho Nonprofit Development Center Executive Director, Russ Lowder, Idaho Nonprofit Development Center Training Director.

Half Day workshop - $65/person

Morning Workshops will be held from 8:30 a.m. to Noon, afternoon workshops will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost to attend both workshops is $125 and includes lunch.

For more information or to register, click HERE

TODAY: Idaho Character Council Hosts Web Seminar on Persuasiveness

Friday April 25, 2008
12pm to 1pm Pacific Time

Computer:
Please attend our online meeting using Microsoft LiveMeeting by clicking here a few minutes before the meeting to download some secure software if a first time user:
Join the meeting.
Phone:
At the time of the meeting please call Dial-in Number:
1 (218) 486-1600 with Participant Access Code: 823168#

To read more, click HERE

16th Annual American Cancer Society's Kootenai County Relay For Life

What can you do to help fight cancer?

Participate in the 16th Annual American Cancer Society's Kootenai County Relay For Life May 30 & 31, 2008 Friday 5:00 pm through Saturday 12:00 pm Greyhound Park & Event Center There is still time to participate! Register your team by clicking HERE.

For more information, call Lori Nelson at 620-0175 or email kcrfl@yahoo.com for more information!

Department of Labor Offers Unemployment Insurance Seminar

The Department of Labor is offering a free Unemployment Insurance Seminar to help employers control and manage unemployment insurance costs.. A half-day seminar is scheduled in Coeur d'Alene on May 6th and 7th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You must register online as space is limited!

Topics include
• Unemployment claim process review.
• Unemployment insurance compliance update.
• Wage & hour overview.
• Introduction to new online system for managing your employer account.

Choose a 4-hour session: 8:00 a.m. – Noon OR 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

May 6th and 7th
Hampton Inn, 1500 Riverstone Dr.

Register online by clicking HERE
For more information, contact Laura Cullen at (208) 332-3570, ext. 3253.

You can also learn how to manage your unemployment insurance account online using our new Employer Contact Online Reporting System — an interactive, secure Web site for you!


Report employee separations.

View charges to your account.

Communicate securely with the Department of Labor Online.

Provide current business contact information.

Access links to important Idaho Labor Web sites.

Download a how-to guide from our Web site at labor.idaho.gov under the News & Resources menu.

Baskin Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night!

On Wednesday, April 30th from 5:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m., Baskin Robbins nationwide will host a 31-cent scoop night to benefit the national Firefighters Foundation. Baskin Robbins will be donating $100,000 to the Foundation. Join the Coeur d'Alene location where they will have local firefighters, a magician, and balloon animal-makers. They will be selling 2.5 ounce scoops for 31 cents and have many other items at this price. Any questions, please call Shawn at 667-0031.

“Dreams and Illusions” Regional Quilt Show

Fabrications Quilt Artists, an Inland Northwest group, will offer a juried quilt exhibition, “Dreams and Illusions,” on Saturday and Sunday,
April 26 and 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The quilt show will be held at the Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center at the Old Church, an historic structure beautifully restored by the
Post Falls Community Partners into a regional community cultural center.

The fifty juried quilts are each of original design, submitted by area art quilters.

Linda Anderson, textile artist from Colbert, will be the featured artist, with several pieces on display. Anderson creates visual complexity and sculptural depth in fabric,
using a layering process to produce a quilted fabric collage. Starting with a piece of hand-dyed fabric,
Linda lets the beauty of the fabric lead her to the ideas, inspiration and accidents that evolve into her art.
Techniques Anderson employs include silk screening, fiber dyes, embroidery and beading.

The event will include a marketplace, and there will be door prizes. Price of entry is $5.00. For further information, contact Anna Turner at Sew Uniquely You, 509-467-8210.

Idaho Department of Labor Gives Honors

Jo Ann Edmiston, manager of the Department of Labor was presented the 2008 Director’s Award by Roger Madsen, Director of the Idaho Department of Labor. She was recognized for her exceptional service and visionary leadership as the manger of the Coeur d’Alene and Silver Valley offices. This past year, the Coeur d’Alene office received the American Legion National award for services to veterans, was involved in the Hard Hats, Hammers, & Hot Dog event, and the Job Fair. Mr. Madsen praised the Coeur d’Alene office for its creativity and commitment to provide excellent customer service to both the job seekers and employer community.

Congratulations, Jo Ann!

Newly Launched Regence Foundation Accepting Grant Applications

The newly formed Regence Foundation, corporate foundation of The Regence Group, is dedicated to recognizing and promoting practices that will transform the health care system, and it is looking to partner with organizations in Idaho that share its vision. The Regence Foundation estimates it will contribute $2.5 million in its first year and $4 million per year thereafter to organizations addressing its three funding priorities: health care access and quality, the use of technology to engage and educate health care consumers and improvements to the way the health care system supports individuals and families during the end-of-life process.

The Foundation is currently accepting grant applications from organizations that improve health care access and quality, and it will soon accept applications from organizations that transform health care through consumer engagement and technological innovation. Later this year, it will also invite applications from organizations working to improve end-of-life issues. In conjunction with its recent launch, the Foundation also announced five employee-nominated inaugural grants of $10,000 each to organizations working to improve health care access and quality. In Idaho, the inaugural grant was awarded to the Snake River Community Clinic in Lewiston.

"With approximately 213,000 uninsured Idaho residents, we feel a special responsibility to partner with organizations - large or small -working to build healthier communities," said Mike Alexander, chair of The Regence Foundation's board of directors. "Our Foundation is committed to using the power of philanthropy to drive significant change in the health care system."

John Stellmon, President of Regence BlueShield of Idaho, is among the new Foundation's board members.

To learn more about The Regence Foundation, or for more information about applying for a grant, please visit www.regencefoundation.org.

H4 Construction and Manufacturing Fair Hosts 450 Kids

Yesterday, about 450 students from the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, and Lakeland school districts were hosted at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds for "Hard Hats, Hammers and Hot Dogs", a construction and manufacturing fair that gave them hands-on experience at many jobs in an around the Coeur d'Alene Area. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible!

Discover Coeur d'Alene Audio Tour

The Leadership Class of 2007 is proud to present their Legacy project, "Discover Coeur d'Alene", a driving audio tour that takes listeners through the rich history of our community. The CD touches on Coeur d'Alene landmarkes like The Fort Sherman Museum, Higgins Point, Sherman Avenue and much, much more! Purchase your CD today at the Coeur d'Alene Chamber for only $12.99 plus tax. This makes a great souvenier or gift and is unique only to Coeur d'Alene. For more information, contact Toni at 415-0112.

Gear Review and Demo Day

The Coeur d'Alene Canoe and Kayak Club presents the 3rd annual Gear Review and Demo Day on Saturday, April 26th at the Independence Point Beach in Downtown Coeur d'Alene. From 11:00 - 3:00 p.m., watch demos, visit vendors, try out gear, and enter to win a raffle for a whitewater raft trip! Click HERE for more information.

Our Kids: Our Business Breakfast

You are invited to attend this breakfast presentation, featuring Dr. Robert Anda, M.D., M.S. He will be speaking on "Connecting the Dots" between social well being, health, community economic impact, and adverse childhood experiences. Plan on attending on April 24th at the Coeur d'Alene Resort from 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. The cost is $15 per person or $120 for a table. To register, call 208-667-8112 or email janet@kootenaiunitedway.org.

North Idaho Weight Loss Challenge

The North Idaho Health Network (NIHN), North Idaho College's wellness program Spirit of Health , and Kootenai Medical Center have come together to organize and promote a community-based weight loss challenge in an effort to promote health, wellness, and fitness throughout North Idaho. The weight loss challenge will run from May through September, with initial weigh-ins taking place from April 26th through May 2nd. The final official weigh-ins will take place from September 27th through October 2nd, 2008. Individuals can participate alone or in teams of 3 - 5 people. Sponsorships are available for this event. For information about participating or becoming a sponsor of the challenge, please contact Wade Larson at 762-7519.

Event Acquaints Students with Manufacturing, Construction Jobs

Hundreds of middle school and high school students are signed up for Kootenai County's first ever Manufacturing and Construction Career Day on April 15th at the county fairgrounds.

Dubbed "Hard Hats, Hammers and Hot Dogs", the event will give young people first-hand information on the many skills and crafts in the manufacturing and construction sectors. After orientation and under supervision, they will be able to operate heavy equipment if they choose and try their hand at any one of many trades from brick laying and welding to surveying and trim carpentry.

The career day was developed by the Workforce Development Task Force of Kootenai County, which includes many of the participating businesses that are also financial sponsors. The Lakeland, Post Falls, and Coeur d'Alene School Districts have each registered more that 100 students for the event. Private school and home-schooled students have also registered.

The event, running from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Fairgrounds, offers four three-hour blocks during which the students will receive a safety briefing and then get their chances to operate one of any number of pieces of heavy equipment and tackle one of the crafts or trades before wrapping up with hot dogs while they visit information booths.

The list of business participants includes:
Haskins Steel Co., Kimball Office, ACI Northwest, Kootenai Electric, RDI Heating and Cooling, the Spokane Home Builders' Association, Stock Building Supply, Overhead Door Co., High Tech Heathing & Cooling, EW &NI Cement Masons, Bayshore Systems, Ironworkers Apprenticeship Program, the North Idaho Building Contractors Association, Interstate Concrete, Ground Force Manufacturing, Buck Knives, Century Publishing, Habitat for Humanity, Holehan Electric, Command Labor, Contractors Northwest, CDA Power Tools/Makita, The Haskins Co., Moss Adams, Simplex Grannel, Champion Pumping, Tradesman International, Dan Lyson Concrete, Altek Manufacturing, Associated General Contractors, All Wall, the Laborers Union, Avista Corp., Eclipse Traffic Control and Spokane Rock Products.

Costco, Sysco, Panhandle State Bank and Super One Foods are donating the food.

For more information, contact Toni Sayler at 415-0112.

Unleash Your Leadership Potential

ISBDC invites you to a powerful business training opportunity to help you become a highly effective leader, whether you supervise a few people or run the whole organization.

The 7 Habits for Leaders is a Premier Leadership Training program for the 21st century. It is designed to help you unleash your potential as a leader, and your team’s potential, for a breakthrough to sustained superior performance.

Your organizations will:
• realize breakthrough results;
• maximize the contribution of each team;
• execute key goals with excellence;
• enjoy measurably more motivated work teams;
• foster an environment of candor and openness; and,
• benefit from new and better ways to grow the business.

This two-day workshop will provide life changing benefits. The principles are powerful; the instructional method makes the principles stick. You will appreciate the take-away concepts and tools to easily apply what you learn. It is not about a quick-fix; it is about real and lasting improvement!

North Idaho business leaders said about this workshop:

"I was profoundly affected by the principles and how they can help me to be not only a better manager but (a better) person as well."

"The content, presentation and interaction were all excellent, leading to growth and a challenge that will have a lasting impact to me and the organization I lead."

One participant said the tools from the workshop alone are “easily worth $30K.” Learning and using these habits will help you manage yourself, lead others, and unleash potential you never knew existed in your business!

Through a partnership between the ISBDC and Franklin-Covey, the training which usually costs $800 will be available for only $395 per person.

When: May 2 & 3, Friday and Saturday,
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: NIC Work Force Training Center in Post Falls

Register: Call (208) 769-3333 or visit idahosbdc.org

Race the River Triathlon at Riverstone

Riverstone Development has announced its Race the River Triathlon scheduled for July 6th. The race will feature a .5 mile swim, an 11 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run. Visit the website at www.racetheriver.com for more information and to register.