September 20, 2006
 

  In this issue . . .


IT’S TIME TO NOMINATE OUTSTANDING OLDER WORKERS

HR Professionals, Employers & Community Leaders to Recognize Outstanding Older Workers at October 30 Event


Deadlines have a way of sneaking up on all of us.  The deadline for businesses to submit nominations of outstanding older workers for recognition at the 2006 “Ability is Ageless” Award Luncheon is October 13.

But Operation ABLE of Michigan recommends that employers resist the urge to procrastinate and start working on their nominations now.

This celebration is a very positive way for employers to honor older workers who make a daily difference at their companies through their experience, work ethic and dedication to excellence.

The luncheon is a memorable and heartwarming event hosted by Michigan's leading provider of job training and employment assistance for mid-career and older workers.  This year’s luncheon will be held at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn on Monday, October 30 from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

The nomination forms and a fact sheet are attached or can be downloaded at www.OperationABLE.org/luncheon.  The form is designed so it can easily be returned by e-mail.  Forms are also available by calling Operation ABLE at 313.832.0922.

Each person nominated by his or her employer will be featured in the luncheon's slide presentation and program book and receive a Certificate of Distinguished Service.

A committee of human resource professionals and workforce development specialists will select nine honorees to receive the Most ABLE Award.  These honors will be presented by Carmen Harlan, WDIV-TV news senior anchor, in an especially moving ceremony.

“If your company has especially outstanding workers whom you'd like the selection committee to consider, it's very important to submit the nominations by October 13,” notes Mary McDougall, president of Operation ABLE. 

“We suggest that you start working on your company’s nominations right away so you have time to write up the many ways these workers contribute to the success of your business,” says McDougall.

To be eligible, a nominee must live or work in Michigan, be 50 years of age or older or have 25 years of service to a company by October 30, 2006, and be currently employed.  There is no limit to the number of employees a business or organization can nominate.  Reservations for the award luncheon are $65 per person.

LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS
Luncheon reservations are $65 each ($650 for a table of 10).  The luncheon is open to the public who wish to honor the outstanding workers who will be recognized at this event.

You can make your reservations online and pay by credit card or check by visiting 123signup.com, the secure web server that processes payments for Operation ABLE of Michigan.  Or you can call our office at 1-800-922-HIRE (4473).

Formal invitations with an RSVP card will be mailed to companies, civic and community leaders, and ABLE supporters in the coming weeks.

JUDGE DAMON J. KEITH TO BE HONORED

In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments during 39 years on the federal bench and his distinguished service to the community,  Operation ABLE of Michigan will present the Neal Shine Lifetime Achievement Award to U.S. Circuit Court Judge Damon J. Keith at the 2006 Ability is Ageless Luncheon on October 30.

As a member of the federal judiciary, Judge Keith has consistently been a courageous defender of the constitutional and civil rights of all people.

In his tenure on the federal bench, Judge Keith has hired more than 70 law clerks, including more than 50 minority law clerks - more than any other federal judge in history.  These clerks have enjoyed extraordinary success and have gone on to become federal and state judges, law professors, state attorney generals, corporation counsel, partners in major law firms, and influential legal activists.

For more details on Judge Keith's remarkable career, CLICK HERE to visit our web site, or visit Damon J. Keith Collection of African-American Legal History.
 

HELP FOR LAID-OFF WORKERS

Through a contract with the Detroit Workforce Development Department, Operation ABLE of Michigan can provide free help for eligible laid-off workers.

Up to eight weeks of free computer training (Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and the Internet) and job search assistance is available for people who:

  • are between 45 and 60

  • have been permanently laid off

  • are currently collecting unemployment benefits or have collected benefits within the past 2 years, and

  • do not have a college degree.

Other mid-career jobseekers may qualify for services available through other funding sources.

ABLE conducts weekly information sessions aimed at helping jobseekers who are 40 and over learn about their options.

For the next meeting, contact ABLE at 1-800-922-HIRE (4493) or by e-mail at fsims@operationable.org.

Those who only need help with preparing a resume, conducting a job search, or preparing for a job interview) will find it at Operation ABLE's Career Center.  The fees for these services are very reasonable.
 

About ABLE eNews

This e-newsletter is prepared by Operation ABLE of Michigan to keep employers and other community leaders informed about the many ways we work in partnership with businesses.

We hope you will find ABLE eNews useful in your work.  However, if you prefer not to receive this electronic newsletter in the future, please CLICK HERE.  This will start your e-mail system with the subject line "Unsubscribe from ABLE eNews."  Please be sure to include your name in the message so we can locate you more quickly in our files and remove you from the mailing list.

If you have any questions, suggestion, comments or would like additional information, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

 
2006 "Ability is Ageless" Luncheon

October 30
Noon - 2 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Dearborn

For complete details,
CLICK HERE.


 
Michigan Department of
Community Health Office
of Services to the Aging

Ford Motor Company

Kelly Services

WDIV Local 4

WWJ Newsradio 950

Michigan Works!

City of Detroit Employment & Training Department

 


Contact Us:
Operation ABLE of Michigan
4750 Woodward Avenue
Suite 201
Detroit, MI 48201
1-800-922-HIRE


Visit Our Web Site:
www.OperationABLE.org


ABLE eNews is published by
Operation ABLE of Michigan
4750 Woodward Avenue - Suite 201
Detroit, MI 48201
1-800-922-HIRE

To be removed from future mailings,
CLICK HERE

Operation ABLE of Michigan is Michigan Works! affiliate,
funded in part by the Michigan Department of Labor and
Economic Growth and the Detroit Workforce Development
Department.  Operation ABLE of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity
Program/Employer.  Auxiliary aids & services are available upon
request to individuals with disabilities.
TTY users: call the Michigan Relay Center, 711.

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