WV NRCS Civil Rights Committee

FY 2006 4th Quarter Meeting
August 9, 2006
10:00 AM
 

Present:

• Carlos Cole, Civil Rights Advisory Committee Co-Chairperson
• Casey Shrader, Civil Rights Advisory Committee Co-Chairperson
• Barbara Broxterman, Federal Women’s Program Manager
• Bryan Lee, General Member from the State Office
• Charlotte Wertz, Advisor
• Larry Sargent, Advisor
• Rex Gardner, Hispanic Program Manager
• Ray Carr, General Member from the East Area
• Ray Cragar, Veterans Emphasis Program Manager
• James Dodson, African-American Program Manager
• Leslie Sears, General Member from the South Area
• Corine Broomall, West Area Representative
• Marvin Kerr, Disability Program Manager
• Carol Lagodich, Public Affairs Specialist

Morgantown Meeting opened at 10:05 a.m.

Committee minutes were reviewed; Barbara asked that we add the word teleconference in the paragraph under her name on pg. 1 of the minutes, to make it clear that she didn’t physically attend a meeting. Marvin moved that the minutes be approved. Ray Cragar seconded the motion.

Carlos distributed a CRAC list of current members and when their terms expire. James, Casey, and Carlos all leave at the end of FY 06. Barbara will become chair if appointed by Mr. Hilliard. The Federal Women and African American SEPM vacancies will need to be filled by Mr. Hilliard. Volunteers will first be solicited from in state, then if there are no volunteers, at large members will be asked to fill those two roles.
Charlotte also reported that 2006 training was minimal due to the lack of funds.

There were no Quarterly Principal Staff meetings in FY 06. If there are not going to be any meetings next year, it will be recommended that a CRAC member attend at least one Monday morning staff meeting to update what is happening with CRAC.

We will keep the action item in the Business Plan about the need for SEPM training.

Ray Cragar will conduct CR compliance reviews at Philippi FO, Romney FO and Wes-Mon_Ty RC&D offices in August and September of FY 06. The west area has completed two reviews this Fiscal Year and the other reviews are on hold because of vacancies in the Field and RC&D office in Cross Lanes. The Civil Rights Compliance Reviews have been completed in the South Area.

Barbara distributed a print-out of a power point on CR that is information geared towards explaining the purpose of CRAC. The group recommends that it be broken into two separate power point presentations, one for National Policy, and one specific to WV.

Barbara and Bryan will draft a bulletin to present the mentoring program to employees, and they will meet with Ron Hilliard to discuss the mentoring program.

Larry gave a report on the awards given for FY-2005 and handed out a spread sheet to show how the awards were given in FY-03, 04 & 05 according to grade, male, female and diversity.

Break for Lunch until 1:00

SEPM Reports

Ray Crager reported that he still has three flags left for distributing to the field offices.

Marvin Kerr reported that he is actively involved with Agribility, a disability organization that sells equipment to people with disabilities. He also attended a disability meeting in Bethesda.

Barbara is working on the power point presentation and has requested that the CRAC member send her photo’s of cooperators, customers and employees for use in the power point.

Rex Gardner went to Orlando for SEPM training and said it was very good.

James Dodson had nothing to report.

It was reported by Carlos that the SEPM’s will need to complete their Business Plan accomplishment reports by September 30 and e-mail to him and Mr. Hilliard. The new Business Plans for Fy-07 should be completed by September 30 and no later than October 15, 2006.

Other News

Need to add a new item to the business plan: to create an information packet for new employees.

Marvin will see about getting a ramp or making sure that the awards presentation at the State Committee Meeting in Charleston in October will accommodate disabled people at the podium or presentation area.

Casey and Carlos have updated the By Laws to include the Veterans SEPM as requested by Mr. Hilliard. An end of the year accomplishment report for the CRAC will be completed by Casey and Carlos prior to September 30 and e-mailed to all members for review. They will also prepare a draft Business Plan for FY-07 for review by the members.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at Parkersburg. Marvin will make arrangements.

Barbara moved to adjourn the meeting. Rex seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 1:55 pm.

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