Workshop Agenda
Monday, March 17, 2008
8:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:50 Welcome and Introduction of Speakers
Steve Milauskas, Director, USDA Forest Service and the Wood Education Resource Center
Dr. David Brinberg, Director, Sloan Foundation Forest Industries Center at Virginia Tech, Robert O. Goodykoontz Professor of Marketing
9:00 a.m. Exploring Cultural Differences and Overcoming Communication Barriers.
Alfredo Martinez, PhD, Georgia Hispanic Specialists Group, University of Georgia Discussion will focus on creating a business culture that values diversity and that provides a supportive environment for Hispanic employees.
10:30 Mid-Morning Break
10:45 Survival Spanish for the Forest Industries: Overcoming the Language Barriers.
Barbara Kraft, Virginia Tech
Activities will include the opportunity to learn new Spanish language skills or enhance existing Spanish language skills needed to communicate in the multicultural workplace. Emphasis will be placed on industry specific vocabulary and phrases through interactive role play. Discussion will also include alternative communication and training tools such as visual training aids and mentoring as a compliment to language education.
12:30 p.m. Lunch (Provided)
1:30 Employing a Legal Workforce.
Bill Benos, Williams Mullen, Richmond, Virginia
Topics of discussion will include avoiding common immigration pitfalls, assessing immigration status and complying with the I-9 process, and obtaining employment authorization. A presentation of new legislative developments will also be covered followed by a question and answer session.
3:00 Break
3:15 Employee Training & Job Safety in a Multicultural Workplace.
Jim Hamilton, PhD, Forestry Instructor, Haywood Community College
Discussion will focus on decreasing job related injuries and improving employee relations by developing a comprehensive safety program to address the unique safety training needs of a multicultural workforce.
4:45 Roundtable Discussion.
The speaker panel will facilitate an interactive session where participants will have the opportunity to discuss the leading safety and training issues facing their organizations and ask questions and share experiences with the group.
- Workshop Evaluations Adjourn