Event:                   FMLA - Update for Leave Administrators

Date:                     Thursday, May 7, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where:                MRA-The Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities - Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                       $160 MRA members / $205 nonmembers

It's important to stay current.  The FMLA playing field changes rapidly each year due to court cases, DOL rulings, and administrator's interpretations.  MRA's experienced human resources professionals, who answer thousands of FMLA member questions each year, will guide you through the latest changes to keep you current with FMLA administration.  The course content is fluid and will reflect current legal activity as well as hot topics from recent member inquiries.

To register, or for more information, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or Kathy.riley@mranet.org

 

 

Event:                   Forklift/Lift Truck Train-The Trainer

Date:                     Thursday, May 14, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA-The Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities - Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                       $350 MRA members / $450 nonmembers (includes full kit with videos)

Second attendee from same company $175 MRA members/ $210 nonmembers

This highly successful powered industrial truck training program is designed to provide you with all the information you need to instruct and train your employees on safe operation of powered industrial trucks.  Included in the cost of this program are 6 hours of classroom instruction at MRA's facility and program information necessary for conducting qualified training classes.

 

To register, or for more information, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or Kathy.riley@mranet.org

 

Event:                  Negotiation Skills- Accomplishing the Win-Win - Finding the Common Ground

Date:                     Monday, May 18, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA-The Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities - Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                       $250 MRA members / $340 nonmembers

 

In this program, participants examine the strategies, tactics, and techniques that skilled negotiators use to reach mutually satisfying  outcomes and participants learn how to identify the needs and underlying interests of both parties and plan approaches for communicating their side with confidence.

To register, or for more information, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or Kathy.riley@mranet.org

 

Event:                  Strategic Planning Workshop: A Case Study

Date:                     Thursday, May 21, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA-The Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities - Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                       $250 MRA members / $340 nonmembers

This workshop provides leaders with a structural approach that ensures fact-based decision making that can be used for evaluating specific problems or opportunities or to conduct a more general business review for strategic planning.

To register, or for more information, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or Kathy.riley@mranet.org

 

Event:                   Affirmative Action Plan Workshop

Date:                     Thursday, May 28 & Friday, May 29, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where:                MRA-The Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities - Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                       $460 MRA members / $665 nonmembers

During this workshop, participants will receive the tools needed to write a federally-sound affirmative action plan from start to finish, including the preparation of all critical statistical analysis.

To register, or for more information, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or Kathy.riley@mranet.org

About MRA-The Management Association
Founded in 1901, MRA-The Management is a not-for-profit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers throughout the Midwest, covering 800,000+ employees. As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by creating powerful teams and safe, successful workplaces. MRA conducts more than 2,000 learning events each year. Members of MRA also receive access to expert guidance, best practices, professionally facilitated roundtables, essential tools, and dozens of business services in the areas of human resources and training. MRA is headquartered in Waukesha, Wis., and has regional offices in Palatine, Ill.; Moline, Ill.; and Plymouth, Minn. To learn more and to become a member of MRA, visit www.mranet.org.

Featuring performers in grades K-4

The Young Footliters will present Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio, as adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller, this Friday April 17 at 7:00 PM and Saturday April 18 at 2:00 PM at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.  The production features performers in grades K-4 and is directed by Jean Grewe. Tickets are $5-$7 and are available online at www.coralvillearts.org, by phone at 319.248.9370, and in person at the CCPA box office (1301 5th Street) and Coralville Recreation Center (1506 8th Street).

According to director Jean Grewe, "It has been a total joy and blessing working on this show!  The kids are acting, building the sets, and working as running crew; they have really been involved in every part of the show, and are having a great time doing it!  And the parents have really stepped up as well - costumes, props, set, working backstage, helping in the Green Room, you name it, they did it!"

Performing in Pinocchio creates a special, age-appropriate experience for young performers.  The children receive valuable experience in putting on a production: they learn about the rehearsal process, what a performance is like, how to project and speak clearly, how to pay attention and focus on the show, and how to work as a team.  They also have a lot of fun creating a show with other kids.

Young Footliters is a program of the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts offering children and teens fun, creative, and educational theater arts opportunities in a safe, positive, and professional environment.  Young Footliters aims to produce quality productions and classes that promote responsibility, confidence, leadership, cooperation, and arts appreciation.

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Amana- The Matchmaker, opens April 30 and runs through May 21 on the Old Creamery's Main Stage, with shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 2:00 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm.

Old Creamery favorite, Marquetta Senters, stars as delightful professional busybody, Dolly Levi, in this classic romantic comedy. With more than a few potential lovers needing a little push toward the altar, she's got her work cut out for her as she plots and plans a course to bring true happiness to everyone, including the matchmaker herself! The Matchmaker is written by Thornton Wilder.

The cast includes Nick Barnes, Josh Cahn, David Q. Combs, Adelina Feldman-Schultz, Jason Grubbe, Isaac Helgens, Vaughn Irving, Haley Karlson, Meghan Kuhn, Rachael Lindhart, Howard Meadows, Marquetta Senters, and James Tarrant. Sean McCall is the director.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $18.50 for students, with a

$12 special student rush rate for students purchasing their tickets 30 minutes before the performance begins.

Media Sponsor is 96.5 Kiss Country. The Matchmaker is Rated G. Call the box office for tickets and information

319-622-6262 or visit us online at www.oldcreamery.com.

The Old Creamery Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. In 2015, the company is celebrating 44 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

Representatives from U.S. soybean-farmer-led organizations will soon join their counterparts from several other countries in China to meet with stakeholders including industry and government representatives to discuss the biotech-approval process there. A white paper on the global implications of delays for biotech soybean traits will be released at the meeting.

Farmer-leaders from the United Soybean Board (USB), the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) will team up with their fellow soybean farmers from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Canada, representing the International Soy Growers Alliance (ISGA).

The delegation will meet with Chinese industry and government officials to discuss biotechnology and its role in supplying a safe, reliable and abundant food supply to a global market.

Please join Bob Haselwood, Wade Cowan and Laura Foell via teleconference to discuss this hot topic.

MOUNT CARROLL, IL -- Timber Lake Playhouse, the professional theatre company in Mount Carroll, is seeking volunteers for the Timber Lake Playhouse Volunteer Program.  At the heart of the TLP mission is an on-going commitment to provide the best in professional theatre in Northern Illinois.  To do this, TLP must rely on volunteers to support the mission.

All area residents who share a commitment to the arts are encouraged to join TLP in their work.  All talents and skill levels are valuable as opportunities exist in production, front of house, facilities and administrative tasks.

The first opportunity to volunteer is Saturday, April 25 for the Annual TLP Campus Cleanup.  Raking, gardening, cleaning and general outdoor work will be among the activities for the day.  Cleanup starts at 9:00.

Other volunteer opportunities throughout the season include working in the costume or scene shop, painting sets, working on the stage crew, helping in the box office, landscaping, fundraising, strategic planning, or joining the volunteer staff as a TLP Ambassador.

Timber Lake Playhouse's 54th Summer Season officially begins June 4th with the Tony Award winning musical Hairspray. Pre-season kick-off events include the Lena! Las Vegas Casino Night on Saturday, April 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Rafters in Lena, IL. Tickets are $50 and include appetizers, a starting purse, and chances to win prizes.  Timber Lake Playhouse in conjunction with Timber Lake Resort is hosting the Dueling Pianos on May 9th at 7:00 at the Playhouse.  Tickets are $20.

For questions about our volunteer opportunities or for tickets to either of the TLP kick-off events, contact the playhouse at 815-244-2035, visit the website at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org, or stop by our office at 8216 Black Oak Rd. in Mount Carroll Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Timber Lake Playhouse is located at 8215 Black Oak Rd. in Mount Carroll. The Rafters is located at 9426 W. Wagner Rd. in Lena.

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For one show only, Robbie Howard comes to the Old Creamery Theatre performing his Frank Sinatra Tribute Act!

For the last 11 years Robbie Howard has starred in his own Vegas production show plus starred in the role of Frank Sinatra in "The Rat Pack is Back" at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas. Robbie Howard's uniquely captivating style remains astonishingly intimate, even as he creates a dizzying sea of vocal impressions and characters to dazzle his audience to the very last row of the Old Creamery Theatre!

Tickets are $28.50 for adults and $15 for students. Season tickets are not valid for this special event. Call the box office for tickets and information 319-622-6262 or visit us online at www.oldcreamery.com.

The Old Creamery Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. In 2015, the company will be celebrating 44 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.
Venture back Into the Woods as City Circle Acting Company of Coralville presents the Tony Award-winning musical classic by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, April 24-May 3 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

Follow a baker and his wife as they struggle to meet the demands of a vengeful witch so that they may have their hearts' desire?a child of their own. On their journey in and out of the woods, they meet a woman fleeing a ball, a girl with extraordinary hair, a cow-sick boy, a sweet-loving granddaughter, a couple of princes, and at least one giant.

"I remember listening to the cassette tape of the original cast in 1987 before ever seeing the show on stage.  I imagined what the show would look like--how the stories would be told in the theater.  I'm thrilled to be able to work with this all-star cast to bring this vision finally to life," says director Chris Okiishi. "Even though these are Fairy Tale characters and the stories are firmly based in the Brothers Grimm, I think our audiences will relate in a very real way to the characters' triumphs and struggles.  And who hasn't wondered what happens after 'Happily Ever After'?"

Tickets are $12-$27 and can be purchased online at http://www.coralvillearts.org/ or by calling 319.248.9370 or in person at the CCPA box office at 1301 5th Street and at the Coralville Recreation Center at 1506 8th Street. Into the Woods is sponsored by University of Iowa Community Credit Union.

Mount Carroll–Timber Lake Playhouse, the professional summer theatre of Northwest Illinois, will host several programs this summer for area youth, including the opportunity to perform with the resident professional company in their productions of The Big Meal, Peter Pan, Big Fish and James and the Giant Peach. The company will also conduct its annual theatre education workshops for both children and teens.

Auditions will be held for children and teens for various roles on Saturday, May 2, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the theatre in Mount Carroll. Full information about available roles, dates and audition requirements is available at the playhouse's website, www.timberlakeplayhouse.org. Anyone interested in auditioning should contact the theatre office for an appointment by calling 815-244-2035 or emailing info@timberlakeplayhouse.org.

The Magic Owl Children's Theatre at TLP has provided three generations of young people with their first experiences of live theatre. The tradition continues this year with two productions, The Commedia Pinocchio and James and the Giant Peach.

The Commedia Pinocchio is a 50 minute long adaptation of the famous story of the puppet who comes to life portrayed by five actors in the madcap style of commedia dell'arte. The production will be seen by over 1500 area school children and performances are also open to the public. Performances are May 6-9 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and tickets are $6.00.

A stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved James and the Giant Peach will run for four performances only August 4, 6, 7 and 8. Tickets are $7.00 and will be available in May. TLP's annual one-day children's theatre workshop will take place on Saturday, August 8, and ends with the 2:00 p.m. performance of James and the Giant Peach.

Participation in the children's theatre workshop is open to kids ages 7-11. The three-hour workshop includes structured storytelling games, creating characters, team-building ensemble activities, and a chance to learn about all of the creative departments involved in putting on a show. The cost is $30 and includes a ticket to James and The Giant Peach.

A weeklong theatre workshop for teens (ages 12 and up) will take place July 13 - 17. This five day immersive experience will feature workshops in acting, dance and music, improvisation, playwriting, theatre design, and how to audition for schools and professional shows. The cost of the five-day workshop is $135 and includes daily lunch and a ticket to TLP's production of the new musical Big Fish.

In addition to the annual events for young people at Timber Lake Playhouse, the company has also added afternoon and morning performances of its mainstage production of Peter Pan to accommodate families and groups.

The programs presented at Timber Lake Playhouse are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information or to register or purchase tickets to any TLP events, visit www.timberlakeplayhouse.org or call 815-244-2035 Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

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Event:            ISO 9001: 2008 Internal Auditing

Dates:                   Monday, July 20, 2015 and Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                      $550 MRA members / $750 nonmembers

 

This two-day class will have a strong emphasis on best practice techniques used to audit the American National Standard ISO 9001-2008 version. The class incorporates planning audits, performing audits, and analysis/reporting of audit observations. The materials and subsequent test is based upon the accredited certified quality auditor's examination.

To register, or for more information, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact MRA at 309.277.4183 or heather.roberts@mranet.org.

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Event:            Supervision: The Essentials

Dates:                   Tuesday, August 18, 2015, Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Tuesday September 1, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:  $750 MRA members / $950 nonmembers

First line/front line supervisors and managers on your team are often people who have proven they are very good at doing and now they are being asked to take on a leadership role.  At the same time, you realize leading is not the same as doing and you'd like to help them obtain ideas, concepts, and skills necessary for success in their new position. Newly acquired skills will help them become an asset and a more valuable resource for your organization. When time is tight, you can get caught up in the dilemma of how to achieve greater results with limited resources in a time-controlled, economical, and hard hitting way. MRA is pleased to offer a solution to such a dilemma - Supervision: The Essentials.

This three-day program provides your new, less experienced leaders with ideas and practices they can put to use immediately. Think of it as basic training?compact, concise, focused, and all about applicable skills - nothing but the essentials!

To register, or for more information, go to our new website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events, or contact MRA at 309.277.4183 or heather.roberts@mranet.org.

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Event:            Advanced Communication Series - The Art and Science of Excellence

Dates:                   Friday, July 10, 2015, Friday, July 17, 2015 and Friday, August 7, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                      $885 MRA members / $1,170 nonmembers

Push your communication skills to higher levels. In this advanced series, participants will learn how humans take in and process language and information and the ways language and information drive our thinking and behavior. This series will explore current cutting-edge science of the mind and its impact on language, behavior, understanding, and actions. This highly interactive series seeks to move information to awareness and then to action.

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Event:            Principles of Leadership Excellence Certificate Series

Dates:                   Thursday, July 9, 2015 through Thursday, December 3, 2015

Time:                    8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:                MRA- the Management Association

3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100

Moline, IL  61265

 

Cost:                      $3,080 MRA members / $4,050 nonmembers

Success in today's business environment calls for a deep and broad leadership perspective.  Managing a workforce with diverse ages, values, and thinking styles is a daily challenge.  Increasing productivity with fewer resources calls for leaders with the know-how to help employees adapt to change.  Give your leaders the skills to foster innovation with increased employee engagement, and reduce silos of knowledge that result in turf protection.

Principles of Leadership Excellence (PLX) is a comprehensive, practical program that teaches what to do and how to do it, including

·         Highly interactive training methods, proven effective for adult learners

·         Inspiring instructors with real-world experience in the office, on the plant floor, and in the field

·         Continuous skill reinforcement through online resources and support between sessions

·         Sharp focus on skills that managers can put into practice the next day

Managers who participate in the PLX program experience a refreshing approach to management training. It's not a broad-brush, lecture-type series that's quickly forgotten in the reality of day-to-day work.  Designed by MRA, your trusted expert in adult learning, PLX delves frankly and deeply into challenging issues.

About MRA-The Management Association
Founded in 1901, MRA-The Management is a not-for-profit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers throughout the Midwest, covering 800,000+ employees. As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by creating powerful teams and safe, successful workplaces. MRA conducts more than 2,000 learning events each year. Members of MRA also receive access to expert guidance, best practices, professionally facilitated roundtables, essential tools, and dozens of business services in the areas of human resources and training. MRA is headquartered in Waukesha, Wis., and has regional offices in Palatine, Ill.; Moline, Ill.; and Plymouth, Minn. To learn more and to become a member of MRA, visit www.mranet.org.

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