Minutes from the general meeting held on September 3, 2020
DVTI Meeting Notes
September 3, 2020
Present: Beth Arman, Jim Blair, Ryan Buckley, Ken Carlson, Nichol Carranza, Ed Del Beccaro, Vickie Gordon, Jeanette Green, Joellen Heaney, Jags Krishnamurthy, Susan Lamb, John Matthesen, Tamer Osman
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Motion was made to approve the minutes from the July 9, 2020 meeting. Minutes were approved. Ken in absentia.
Ryan reviewed the bylaws:
Feedback from the group was incorporated.
Including more specifics in the “Purpose” section was discussed (cities of Diablo Valley, metrics, focus of the group, etc.). Ryan noted the possible inclusion of “economic development, education and transportation access to promote and ensure a thriving technology sector.”
The bylaws will evolve into a more detailed document and will be reviewed annually.
Structure of DVTI:
Not a legal entity at this time, but a virtual organization tied to DVC, Workforce Development, and Business Administration.
The group will appoint a Chair and a Vice-Chair. Bylaws currently suggest that the elected Chair chooses the Vice-Chair.
Responsibilities of Chair: internal and external lead for the group. Two-year terms, no more than two consecutively.
Vice-Chair supports the Chair and oversees standing committees. Two-year terms, no more than two consecutively.
It was decided that the Vice-Chair be elected separately vs being chosen by the Chair. Text will be amended showing separate elections for chair and vice-chair.
Motion passed unanimously to approve amended language. No abstention.
Motion to nominate Ryan as Chair was passed unanimously with no abstention. Nomination was accepted.
Motion was passed to elect two (a first and second) Vice-Chairs.
Motion passed unanimously to nominate Jags Krishnamurthy and John Matthesen as Co-Vice Chairs. Nominations were accepted.
Next meeting will focus on Committees and Committee Chairs.
Business Survey Results:
Survey has been open for 1.5 months on the website. It was sent to 150 employers (estimated 100 received, given 1/3 bounced back). There were six respondents.
Ryan summarized the responses:
Level of education desired: BA
Type of training most helpful: industry-specific certifications
No one responded to receiving government incentives.
Technical skills desired: digital fluency and digital marketing, with one specifying programming.
Are you able to hire qualified employees in the Diablo Valley: No, too expensive, especially for programmers. Need to hire outside of California or even outside the US. None planning to hire in the next 12 months.
Which office infrastructure is most important: high-speed internet.
Survey - Next Steps:
Need to peak interest to help get the responses up to 200-300.
Survey should be amended to identify industry of the respondents.
We want to prove that employers can hire qualified employees in the Diablo Valley. Ryan thinks it would be helpful to offer Python and Ruby courses. Beth will find out if DVC already offers Python classes. Ryan would also like to offer tech sales training.
Ryan will provide the survey link so the group can send it to their contacts.
Need to begin working with chambers and economic teams in the area. How are we partnering with the cities? Could we get the survey link on their sites?
Pleasant Hill Chamber is already involved. Jay will reach out to Lafayette Chamber. Jim will reach out to Martinez Chamber.
Ken will look into economic development committee in Pleasant Hill; John will follow up on getting the survey link on the Pleasant Hill website.
Carlyn will connect with the Concord Chamber and economic development team.
Community and social media marketing will be discussed at the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 4:02.
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