Local Workforce Board's Weekly Column
By Teri Hope
Aug. 19, 2006

What ever happened to the old adage, “never speak to strangers?” How would we ever survive in a business world without such communication? When did our world go from being harmed by these new contacts to their being essential for our economic survival?

To ease the pain of stepping out of our comfort zones, your local Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board (SAWDB) members would like to introduce themselves, opening the doors for new communication. You may even be surprised that you already know these people and work with them on a daily basis.

Each member of the SAWDB serves a two-year term, and July 1, 2006 marked the beginning of a new era for the board. The Region 4 Chief Elected Officials appointed new board members in June and recertified those who have served in the past. While appointments are an ongoing process -- with another batch of such approvals set for the next CEO meeting in September -- there have been some changes to the board as a result of the recertification process.

Catron, Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, and Socorro Counties.

As the dust from the recertification process begins to settle, SAWDB members are rolling up their sleeves to take on the challenges businesses and the workforce face in our humble region of New Mexico. An essential aspect of the Workforce Investment Act is that the federal funds provided through the Act are overseen and administered on a local level. In addition, the SAWDB itself requires that 51% of its membership is made up of individuals from the private sector; such as business people who are working to make money and ultimately bring growth to the region.

It’s a partnership between businesses and the workforce, and it couldn’t come at a better time for our region, which hasn’t just been receiving showers of rain lately, but an influx of new opportunities for growth and development. Our “cup runneth over,” some would say, but others would describe it as a tidal wave. In order to make the most of these opportunities, the SAWDB focuses on the needs and strengths of the Southwest Region from a local perspective. And now that we are no longer strangers, let’s get to work.

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