working together symposium 2009:
Capitalizing on Maine's Changing Demographics

Maine's Disability Hiring Coalition
Produced in partnership with Maine's Diversity Hiring Coalition

November 4, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE
Portland, Maine

View photos here

Go here to read a Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) story about the conference (includes an audio version)

On November 4th, 2009 Working Together held its 3rd Annual Symposium, produced in partnership with the Maine Diversity Hiring Coalition (DHC). 129 attendees representing both the public and the private sectors enjoyed a great conference at USM's Abromson Center.

Sponsors included: Mainebiz, Manpower, Custom Disaiblity Solutions, HRTimes, Verrill Dana, L.L.Bean, Norway Savings Bank, RISInterpret, and JobsInME.com.

John Dorrer providing workforce trend review for the conference.
John Dorrer providing workforce trend review for the conference.
John Dorrer
John Dorrer, the Director of the Center for Workforce Research and Information and Maine's Department of Labor opened the conference with an excellent analysis of current and future projected workforce trends.

He described how a severe workforce shortage that Maine will face following the current recession will create high demand for workers. Businesses need to use diversity recruitment strategies in order to recruit a competitive workforce.

If you would like a copy of John Dorrer's presentation, please contact Leslie Pohl.

Martha Artilles
Martha Artilles
Martha Artilles
The Keynote speaker, Martha Artiles, Chief Diversity Officer of Manpower, Inc. provided an interesting perspective that combined human resources, engineering and community experience from her 27-year career at Manpower where she oversees global strategic diversity and workforce development.

Kathrine McCary intoduces her short film.
Kathrine McCary intoduces her short film.
Katherine McCary
The Honorable Katherine O. McCary, vice president of SunTrust Banks and past chair of the US Business Leadership Network, spoke after lunch and presented a short film that previewed a coming public television series on disability and employment.

Ms. McCary also presented this year's Working Together Business Leadership Awards.

Photo of Kathrine McCary and two female representatives from Kohls store in Biddeford holding the Business Leadership Award plaque.
Katherine McCary (right) presents the Small Business Leadership Award
Katherine McCary (right) presents the Small Business Leadership Award
Awards given were:
Business Leadership Award – Kohl's (Biddeford)
Small Business Leadership Award – Aroostook Center Mall of Presque Isle, Maine
Workforce Achievement Award – Access Auto & Lincoln Rental of Lincoln, Maine

The Diversity Hiring Coalition also presented awards:
Business Leadership Award – L.L. Bean
Diversity Initiative Award – New Mainer’s Workforce Alliance
Workforce Achievement Award – Youth Alternatives Ingraham

Attendees chose from a number of breakout sessions offered at the symposium:
  1. Leading the Way through Diversity: Why Diversity is Important for Business Leaders Panelists
  2. Effective Diversity Initiatives and What They Do for Your Business
  3. The Importance of Diversity in a Global Economy
  4. Legal Overview: The Benefits of a Diverse Workplace
  5. Cultural Competency—What It Is, How to Get It, and What It Can Do for Your Company
  6. Marketing your Diversity Policies and Practices: Expanding your Bottom Line through Diversity

Read the session details and panelists' biographies here (download MS Word document).

Pictures from the Symposium:

*IMAGES BY SUSAN GATTI PHOTOGRAPHY

Click on the thumbnails below for a larger version.
John Dorrer, Director, Center for Workforce Research and Information, State of Maine Department of Labor
John Dorrer, Director, Center for Workforce Research and Information, State of Maine Department of Labor
John Dorrer, Director, Center for Workforce Research and Information, State of Maine Department of Labor
April Clark of Manpower introduces the keynote speaker
April Clark of Manpower introduces the keynote speaker*
April Clark of Manpower introduces the keynote speaker*
Keynote speaker, Martha Artilles, Chief Diversity Officer, Manpower, Inc.
Keynote speaker, Martha Artilles, Chief Diversity Officer, Manpower, Inc.*
Keynote speaker, Martha Artilles, Chief Diversity Officer, Manpower, Inc.*

John Dorrer and Martha Artilles speak at a panel session on the Importance of Diversity in a Global Economy.
John Dorrer and Martha Artilles speak at a panel session on the Importance of Diversity in a Global Economy*
John Dorrer and Martha Artilles speak at a panel session on the Importance of Diversity in a Global Economy*
Katherine McCary speaks at a breakout session on Effective Diversity Initiatives and What They Do for Your Business
Katherine McCary speaks at a breakout session on Effective Diversity Initiatives and What They Do for Your Business
Katherine McCary speaks at a breakout session on Effective Diversity Initiatives and What They Do for Your Business
Merritt Carey, Working Together Business Partner Liaison
Merritt Carey, Working Together Business Partner Liaison*
Merritt Carey, Working Together Business Partner Liaison*

The Honorable Katherine O. McCary
The Honorable Katherine O. McCary*
The Honorable Katherine O. McCary*
Kohl's Store in Biddeford receives the Business Leadership Award.
Kohl's Store in Biddeford receives the Business Leadership Award*
Kohl's Store in Biddeford receives the Business Leadership Award*
Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle receives the Small Business Leadership Award
Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle receives the Small Business Leadership Award*
Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle receives the Small Business Leadership Award*

Sterling Osgood receives the Workforce Achievement Award for his businesses, Access Auto and Lincoln Rental.
Sterling "Boody" Osgood receives the Workforce Achievement Award for his businesses, Access Auto and Lincoln Rental.
Sterling "Boody" Osgood receives the Workforce Achievement Award for his businesses, Access Auto and Lincoln Rental.
L.L. Bean receives the Diversity Hiring Coalition's Business Leadership Award
L.L. Bean receives the Diversity Hiring Coalition's Business Leadership Award*
L.L. Bean receives the Diversity Hiring Coalition's Business Leadership Award*
New Mainer's Workforce Alliance receives the Diversity Hiring Coalition's Diversity Initiative Award
New Mainer's Workforce Alliance receives the Diversity Hiring Coalition's Diversity Initiative Award*
New Mainer's Workforce Alliance receives the Diversity Hiring Coalition's Diversity Initiative Award*

Youth Alternatives Ingraham receives the Diversity Hiring Coalition's Workforce Achievement Award.
Youth Alternatives Ingraham receives the Diversity Hiring Coalition's Workforce Achievement Award*
Youth Alternatives Ingraham receives the Diversity Hiring Coalition's Workforce Achievement Award*
Resource tables
Resource tables
Resource tables
Networking
Networking
Networking

The Working Together Information booth.
The Working Together Information booth*
The Working Together Information booth*
Mercy Health System of Maine (represented by Recruiter Linda Smith) becomes a Working Together business partner by signing the
Mercy Health System of Maine (represented by Recruiter Linda Smith) becomes a Working Together business partner by signing the "pledge"
Mercy Health System of Maine (represented by Recruiter Linda Smith) becomes a Working Together business partner by signing the "pledge"
Resource table
Resource table*
Resource table*


Click on the year to view information and a photojournal of past events: 2007, 2008.