Banner which includes the Working Together: Expanding Maine's Workforce logo with a graphic of two figures shaking hands: one is seated, one is standing.  In addition, there are three photos: 1) female office worker 2) two medical workers: one female, one older male 3) a teacher and a student in a classroom.
Working Together e-News
Volume 5 July 2009
In This Issue
2009 Conference Early Registration
New Conference Sponsorship Level
Annual Business Awards Call for Nominations
Working Together Website Revamp
Become a Mentor for Disability Mentoring Day
In Case You Missed It: Seminar Recap
FYI: ADA Rulemaking Update, Karen Gordon Mills Visits Maine Business Event

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A graphic showing silhouettes of 3 business people: a female standing, a male standing, and a male seated in a wheelchair. The work 'Diversity' is across the bottom.
2009 Conference Early Registration
Pay half the fee for our November 4 conference, Capitalizing on Maine's Changing Demographics, when you register by August 31. Visit Working Together to register. Early registration is $25.00.

The conference will cover critical business issues such as Maine's future workforce, why diversity is a crucial strategic consideration, how a diverse workforce expands market share and reduces legal liability, and the importance of diversity in a global economy.

This conference is for business owners, hiring managers, and human resources and marketing/public relations professionals-anyone who wants their company to tap into Maine's expanding workforce to maximize bottom line and gain competitive edge in the marketplace.


New Conference Sponsorship Level
Are you looking for a great way to market your company to the Maine business community? We have multiple levels of sponsorship available for our November conference, including a new "supporter" level of $500.

Current sponsors include: Custom Disability Solutions, Mainebiz, HR Times, L.L.Bean and Verrill Dana.

Interested in becoming a sponsor?  Go here for more information, or contact Merritt Carey by email or by phone at 207.828.4882.


Hannaford Bros receives 2008 Business Leadership Award Hannaford Bros receives 2008
Business Leadership Award
Annual Business Awards Call for Nominations
Does your company stand out for its commitment to employing people with disabilities? Nominate your business or organization for one of our annual awards and be recognized at the November 4 conference, Capitalizing on Maine's Changing Demographics.

Read more about the awards.


Picture of the revamped Working Together website.
Working Together Website Revamp
Have you seen the recently revamped Working Together website? We have streamlined the site to make it easier to find the information you need about upcoming events, local resources for businesses interested in diversifying their workforce, and tools you can use to recruit, hire, and retain people with disabilities at your company.

Your feedback is important to us! Please check it out and let us know what is useful and what additional resources we should add.


Two workers collaborating through mentoring.
Become a Mentor for Disability Mentoring Day
For one day, you can mentor students and job-seekers with disabilities. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate positive community leadership and to access new or emerging talent - potential recruits for internships and permanent positions. As a mentor, you host participants at your job site, providing informational sessions and the chance to observe a typical workday and learn about skills needed to succeed in your field.

Disability Mentoring Day is October 21, 2009 - Go here to get involved.



Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce In Case You Missed It: Seminar Recap
On June 24, 2009, Working Together, in partnership with the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, brought employers from the Lewiston/Auburn area together for a half-day seminar, Talk to Lawyers and HR Specialists: A conversation about diversity in the workforce & employing people with disabilities. Employers discussed the benefits of a diverse workplace, the legal landscape of hiring people with disabilities, and the successes and difficulties businesses have had incorporating diversity into their workforce.

Read more about the seminar.


FYI: ADA Rulemaking Update, Karen Gordon Mills Visits Maine Business Event
E E O C logo
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was amended by Congress and approved by the President in 2008. On January 1, 2009, the amendments took effect, but without executive guidelines from The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC), the agency that enforces the law. As of June, however, the EEOC is moving closer to finalizing interpretative rules that will guide the implementation of the amendments. The proposed rules are being reviewed by other federal agencies at present time. When this process is completed, the EEOC will begin accepting public comments.

Visit the EEOC's website for more information on the proposed rules.

Read more updates.

2009 Working Together 207-828-4882
merritt@expandingmainesworkforce.com