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10 www.ohiorestaurant.org Spring Issue

Education is Our Foundation

The ORA Education Foundation’s Workforce Development Committee (WDC) remains dedicated to supporting the Ohio ProStart® program. Mike Haunert, Executive Vice President, Sysco Cincinnati, recently completed his frst year as the WDC’s chair. Haunert, who also serves on both the Ohio Restaurant Association and the ORAEF Boards of Directors, has led the committee with vigor and passion and recently led the Foundation’s second strategic planning retreat in April. Over the past year, in its efforts to better support the Ohio ProStart program, the WDC formed subcommittees in three key areas: sponsorships; branding and industry connections; and scholarships.

The sponsorship subcommittee, led by Steve Shafer, Bob Evans Farms, Inc., and Doug Fahrenholz, The Wasserstrom Company, is aiming to raise $20,000 in donations for the Foundation by end of the year. The Rusty Bucket Corner Restaurant & Tavern and Bob Evans Farms, Inc. are also spearheading the ProStart Preferred Partner program to Ohio ProStart students through job placement programs in their restaurants. These two companies understand the value of more

job opportunities for our Ohio ProStart students as these positions assist them in earning their industry certifcation. The branding and industry connections subcommittee is invested in several key initiatives, including increasing awareness of the Ohio ProStart brand. This subcommittee, led by Aaron Osterman of Gordon Food Service, also hosted an Ohio ProStart booth at the 2011 NAPICS Show. The booth promoted the mission behind the Ohio ProStart program and strengthened brand recognition with industry attendees at the show. The central goal of the scholarship subcommittee, led by Larry Keane, Sysco Cleveland, was to raise $20,000 in scholarship donations for the 2011 scholarship year. I am pleased to announce that through the committee’s efforts and those of our generous donors, a total of $24,000 was collected.

This year, the ORAEF provides Ohio ProStart support to 51 schools, 2,100 students and 79 teachers. This support includes connecting students to industry jobs; supporting the teachers in the administration of the ProStart program; speaking to schools, school administration offcials and students about the Ohio ProStart program;

and, lastly, providing professional development activities for teachers that keep them abreast of industry best practices.

As a 501(c)3 organization, the Foundation must reach out to industry members and raise funds in order to operate. All donations are tax deductible. The ORAEF is always looking for new Foundation Partners to spread the word about the Ohio ProStart program and offer support. One of the ways that Foundation Partners can show their support is to display the newly designed Ohio ProStart Foundation Partner decal in their restaurants. Can you help us support Ohio’s foodservice industry and partner with the ORAEF? For more information, please contact me at: sfsh@ohiorestaurant.org or via telephone at: 877-442-9374. I look forward to hearing from you.

By Sharon K.M. Fish, Executive Director, Ohio Restaurant Association Education Foundation

Members of the ORAEF’s Workforce Development Committee recently gathered together to focus on future initiatives for the Ohio ProStart® program.