By Marisa Gray

Business West, in cooperation with Kansas City, Kansas, Community College, will help sponsor a human resources workshop from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 24 in the Conference Center at the college.

Kay Jarvis of the Power Group in Overland Park will lead the session. Jarvis has worked for more than 20 years in human resources for various industries. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baker University, Baldwin, Kan.

The topic of Jarvis’ presentation will be “Think before you hire– maintaining a legal hiring process.” Areas to be covered will include fair employment laws, job descriptions and specifications, unbiased job advertisements, “right” interview questions, proper pre-employment tests and correct reference and background checks.

The cost for the workshop, which will include breakfast, will be $10 for Business West and Sustainable Enterprise and Entrepreneurship members and $15 for non-members. For more information or reservations, telephone 913-288-7284.

Business West is also cooperating with the college urging attendance at the first-ever innovation summit starting at 8 a.m. Friday, April 5 in Upper Jewell at the community college.

Two senior executives from the Kauffman Foundation, Tom McDonnell, the president, and Jon Robinson, the manager of entrepreneur programs, will present the keynote address. They will outline the mission of the foundation including the deep commitment that Ewing Kauffman had to entrepreneurship. They will also tell of trends in entrepreneurship education and workforce development in the Kansas City area.

McDonnell served as president of DST Systems from 1973 until he retired in 2012. He served as chairman of the Kauffman’s board until he became president. He has been active in several voluntary organizations including the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Robinson worked in public affairs in Edelman, N.Y., before coming to Kansas City. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

 “The keynote presentation is a great kickoff to the exciting opportunity to vie for $5,000 in prize money in the State Street perfect pitch competition, which is a major part of the Innovation Summit,” Jay Matlack said. He is the workforce development coordinator.

For more information, telephone Matlack at 913-288-7210.

Marisa Gray is president of Business West.