Leadership

What makes for a good leader?

Effective leaders are made, not born. There are certain key characteristics that are necessary to lead well:

• A good leader will communicate. Of course, communication involves more than talking. Communication only happens when the message is effectively received. Leaders who know how to listen well will be in a better position to discern what the team needs to know to fulfill its mission.

• A good leader will be flexible. Life doesn’t always go as planned, and someone who can adjust their expectations and change direction will be able to recover much quicker than someone who is rigid.

• A good leader is tenacious. He or she will know what to pursue and will stick with it, demonstrating patience in seeking to reach the desired goal.

• A good leader is humble. Pride is the great destroyer of good leadership. The best leaders will not hold themselves aloof from the rest of the team and are quick to give others credit for successes. They will not insist on getting their own way but rather will listen with an open mind to the suggestions of others.

• A good leader takes responsibility. While quick to give credit to others on the team, good leaders will also be quick to acknowledge their mistakes and to own the consequences. They can be depended on to do what’s best for the team.

If these values are a part of who you are, you have great leadership potential. The world needs what you have to offer.

Jim

 

www.hines4michigan.com

 Photo Credit: http://www.nairobibusinessmonthly.com

Paid for by Dr. Jim Hines for Governor; P.O. Box 5595, Saginaw, MI  48603

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Hunter Safety

With many different types of wildlife, Michigan is a great attraction for hunters. This can raise concerns for the safety of our residents and visitors.

Data shows that most hunting accidents are caused by carelessness. Climbing a tree or stand with a loaded firearm, shooting at prey without scanning the terrain, and failing to deploy the gun’s safety switch are some of the common safety mistakes.

In addition, research shows that hunters are about as likely to injure themselves as they are someone else.

The good news is that the number of hunting injuries has been decreasing! This is in part due to state laws that require anyone born January 1, 1960 or later to have certain training to purchase a hunting license.

The Department of Natural Resources offers an online hunter education course to meet one of the requirements for a hunting license. Those who pass the course can then participate in a Field Day, after which they will qualify to purchase a license.

If you hunt, be sure to follow all safety precautions. The life you save could be your own!

 

Jim

www.hines4michigan.com 

Paid for by Dr. Jim Hines for Governor; P.O. Box 5595, Saginaw, MI  48603

Transparency

Our citizens deserve to know how and why decisions are made by their government. Elected officials have the potential to make decisions based on the desires of special-interest groups, lobbyists, bureaucrats, or their own interests, disregarding what is best for the citizens and state.

I believe that the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is an essential accountability tool as it gives citizens the right to request and receive information.

As governor, I will promote the following endeavors to Make a Better Michigan.

1. Subject the Governor, Lt Governor, and legislature to the Freedom of Information Act.

2.  Require financial disclosure of income and assets for all state elected officials and cabinet officers, as well as candidates for these positions.

3.  Prohibit term-limited representatives and senators from becoming lobbyists for three years following their term of service.

4.  Prohibit legislative and executive personnel from doing paid campaign work while employed by the State of Michigan.

5. Prohibit gifts to lawmakers and their families.

6. Require state elected officials and cabinet officers to reveal any potential conflicts of interest.

 

For more details on these endeavors, see below. . . 

 

 

 

Hines’ Transparency Policy, Summary

 

SAGINAW—Michigan gubernatorial candidate, Jim Hines, announces a proposed Transparency Policy to Make a Better Michigan.

Transparency in government is essential because it allows for the citizens to know how and why decisions are made. It implies that the government is accountable and responsible to the people they govern.

When transparency is not present, those who represent the people may vote or make decisions that are contrary to the wishes of those they represent. Elected officials could make decisions based on the desires of special-interest groups, lobbyists, bureaucrats, or the elected official.  A conflict of interest could disregard what is in the best interest of our citizens and state.

I believe that the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is an essential tool to keep the government accountable.  It gives the citizen the right to request and receive information.

As governor, I will promote the following endeavors to Make a Better Michigan.

1. Subject the Governor, Lt Governor, and the Legislature to the Freedom of Information Act.

• To include any documents between legislators and staff, of the Fiscal Agencies,  Service Bureau, or any Legislative or Executive entities.

• To include any documents, memos, phone records, and email correspondence.

• Exempt caucus sessions, constituent correspondence back and forth, personal appointments, budget recommendations, reprieves, pardons, and commutations

• Information to be made available in 10 business days.

2.  Financial disclosure of income and assets for all state elected officials and cabinet officers, as well as for those who are candidates for these positions.

3.  Prohibit term-limited representatives and senators from becoming Lobbyists for three years following their term of service.

4.  Prohibit legislative and executive personnel from doing paid campaign work while employed by the State of Michigan.

5. Prohibit gifts to lawmakers and their families.

6. Require state elected officials and cabinet officers to reveal any potential conflicts of interest for themselves and/or their family members on any decision made by their respective departments.

7.  More frequent reporting of Campaign Committees during election years.

 

See www.hines4michigan.com for more information on Dr. Jim Hines for Governor.

 

Jim

 

Photo Credit: http://www.dsp.delaware.gov

Paid for by Dr. Jim Hines for Governor; P.O. Box 5595, Saginaw, MI  48603

Workforce Development Policy

 

In recovering from the Great Recession, Michigan’s unemployment rate has dropped dramatically. That is fantastic news!

However, Michigan is in a workforce crisis. Employers are screaming for workers but cannot find properly trained individuals.

High school students have been “pushed” into a college career path, resulting in a high dropout rate and debt for students and families. One third of our high school graduates entering college need remedial college courses, and one half of freshmen do not graduate after six years of study.

As governor, I will promote the following endeavors to Make a Better Michigan:

1. Local Community Partnership Board comprised of educators, school career counselors, and job providers.

2. Focus on the basics in the early grades.

3. Encourage vocational education.

4. Alternative certification for skilled trade workers to teach the next generation.

5. Promote dual enrollment.

6. On-the-job training.

7. Prison vocational trade training.

8. Entrepreneurship education.

Please see below for more details.

 

Hines’ Workforce Development Policy for Michigan, Summary

During the Great Recession of 2008/2009 Michigan lost over 880,000 jobs, one half of all the jobs lost in America. Since 2010, Michigan has seen 530,000 jobs return and our unemployment rate has dropped dramatically.

This is fantastic news!  However, Michigan is in a workforce crisis. Employers are screaming for workers. Although thousands of good-paying job openings exist, we do not have the properly trained individuals or enough people to take those jobs. It is estimated that in skilled trade positions alone we are short over 100,000 workers.

Employers relate that there are “able-bodied workers out there, but they often are not able to pass a drug test or do not have the work qualities necessary to be successful in the workplace.”

For many years, our high school students have been “pushed” into a college career path. This can occur with parents as well as with high school career counselors recommending the college path “until you figure out what you want to do with your life.”

This can result in multiple changes in major, prolonged time in college, and a high dropout rate, as well as debt owed for students and/or their families. All of these increase the cost of higher education and the frustration levels of students, families, and higher education institutions.

By necessity, one third of our high school graduates entering college need to attend remedial college courses. Unfortunately, one half of the incoming freshmen students do not graduate after six years of studies.

As governor, I will promote the following endeavors to Make a Better Michigan.

1. Local Community Partnership Board with educators, school career counselors, and job providers to evaluate the local job market needs.

2. Focus on the basics.  Allow alternative certification and recruit reading, math, and writing coaches for the early grades. We need to make sure our children know how to read, write, add, and subtract by the end of 3^rd grade.

3. Return to valuing vocational education and fostering respect for the skilled trades.

4. Alternative certification for skilled trade instructors that will allow those already in skilled trades to enter the education arena to help teach the next generation.

5. Promote dual enrollment which spur students to rapidly enter their career of choice and decrease the cost of higher education.

6. On-the-job training via internships, job shadowing, and apprenticeships to allow the student to evaluate work opportunities and the employer to evaluate the skill and work ethic of the worker.

7. Promote prison vocational trade training (Vocational Village) which prepares the prisoner for a meaningful vocation on exit from prison.

8. Entrepreneurship education to foster new business growth.

Jim

 

www.hines4michigan.com

Photo Credit: https://www.corning-cc.edu/workforce

Paid for by Dr. Jim Hines for Governor; P.O. Box 5595, Saginaw, MI  48603

Skilled Trades

A creative answer to the worker shortage

The shortage of workers in Michigan is driving businesses to hire people right out of prison. This can be a good thing, especially if it helps prevent the individual from going back to prison.

A new program called Vocational Village is being offered in two Michigan prisons that holds a lot of potential for reintegrating prisoners into society and providing skilled workers for the work force.

Vocational Village provides training in various job skills for interested prisoners. As described on their website, prisoners are housed together in a unit that “acts as a therapeutic learning environment that supports their success.”

“Prisoners have full days of training and classroom instruction intended to mimic a typical workday outside prison walls, and will receive state and nationally-recognized certifications in their trade.”

This is an example of the kinds of positive solutions we should be seeking in our efforts to help Michigan be a great place to live and work.

Jim

www.hines4michigan.com

Photo Credit: http://editimage.club

Paid for by Dr. Jim Hines for Governor; P.O. Box 5595, Saginaw, MI 48603

Michigan Jobs

When we talk about joblessness in Michigan, it’s important to recognize that jobs are available. The problem is finding qualified workers with the correct talent to take those jobs. We have 1000’s of skilled-trade openings for carpenters, auto mechanics, electricians, plumbers, masons, and the list goes on.

Employers in Michigan are screaming for workers. Wages are rising with the workforce shortage!

As we look for solutions, we need to research ways to motivate and train workers in skilled trades so they qualify for jobs that are available. We also need to help potential workers realize that any job is important to help prepare them for the future.

All able-bodied individuals should be working, looking for work, or obtaining education. The Vocational Village in our prison system is a positive program that is preparing prisoners to have a skilled trade when they exit the prison system.

As governor, I would bring back vocational training in our school system. This will require alternative certification to get skilled trades individuals into the classroom.

If we want Michigan to thrive, we need to develop initiatives that will prepare people to reap the benefits of productivity.

Jim

www.hines4michigan.com

Paid for by Dr. Jim Hines for Governor; P.O. Box 5595, Saginaw, MI  48603

 

Volunteers

What kind of people volunteer?

People who look around them and are observant. They see others and their needs. And they care.

Some people say, “I couldn’t care less!” But volunteers say, “ I do care and I will care!”

Others say, “I’m too tired to care,” but volunteers know that their compassion and concern will give them the energy to care!

Some say, “I don’t have the time,” but volunteers say, “I will take the time.”

Many will criticize what’s wrong, but volunteers will correct it and make it right.

Volunteers see a need and fill it. They may do this on their own, one on one, quietly, and without fanfare or reward. They see a need and they meet a need. They don’t do it to make a salary, but to make a difference.

The jobs filled by volunteers are as unique and varied as the individual volunteers.

Volunteers comfort distressed and sorrowing family members in the hospital.

Volunteers serve on community boards and committees.

Volunteers carry supplies, run messages, make copies, and stuff envelopes.

Volunteers do construction, renovation, and painting. They pick up trash and plant flowers.

Volunteers provide transportation and prepare and deliver meals.

Volunteers read to children, help with homework, teach, and mentor.

Volunteers sew little dresses for girls and little britches for boys. They knit and crochet baby clothes and blankets for babies not yet born.

Volunteers make phone calls and go door to door to raise awareness or funds. There is not much that cannot be done by a volunteer.

Volunteers also realize that more can be accomplished by working together than on their own.

One single volunteer cannot build a playground or get a candidate for office elected, but an army of volunteers can!

Whatever it is that YOU do as a volunteer, if you are doing the right thing for the right reason, you are making a difference and I salute you!

Let’s hear it for volunteers!

Jim

www.hines4michigan.com

Paid for by Dr. Jim Hines for Governor; P. O. Box 5595, Saginaw MI 48603