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WV NRCS Civil Rights Committee

WV NRCS Civil Rights Committee
FY 2007 3rd Quarter Meeting
May 09, 2007
10:00 AM

Present:
Barbara Broxterman, Civil Rights Advisory Committee Chairperson
Marvin Kerr, Disability Program Manager, Vice Chair
Rex Gardner, Hispanic Program Manager
Leonard Jackson, African-American Program Manager
Carol Lagodich, Federal Women’s Program Manager
Crystal Buchanan, West Area Representative
Leslie Sears, General Member from the South Area
Karen Fitchett, Human Resources Advisor

Meeting opened at 10:30

Chair, Barbara, opened the meeting by welcoming Crystal Buchanan as the newest member to the advisory committee. Two positions remain open. The state office representative and the Veterans Program Manager were offered but as to date no one has volunteered for these positions. Barbara says Mr. Wickey has requested that the DEPM representative fill in until a Veterans program manager is appointed. Marvin agreed. If unable to fill the State Office Vacancy Leonard or Carol will assume that representation.

Rex Gardner is communicating with a WV NRCS employee who is interested in the White Male Civil Rights representative on the National Civil Rights committee.

Minutes of the February 14 meeting were reviewed. Minutes had been approved and accepted previously via email.

Old Business:

  • Calendar for upcoming events.
    • Memorial Day – May 28
    • National Woman’s Health Week May 13 -19
  • WV CRAC welcome letter to Kevin Wickey. Barbara has sent a letter to Mr. Wickey.
  • Posters:
    • Considerable discussion was held concerning the required posters to be displayed in each office. Barbara has worked with Penny Sheeler in updating and compiling a current accurate list of the required posters. The committee noted how much help Penny Sheeler has been.
    • Barbara presented a draft list of the required posters and plans to add a picture of each poster to the list. This will simplify the process of identifying each poster.
    • Carol, Rex and Marvin will follow up as a committee to finish compiling the poster information.
    • Crystal asked how to obtain the posters. Procedure is though the area office first if funds are available at that level. Copyright may protect some of the posters from being copied.
    • The posters will be listed on the web for field to view.
  • New and Transferring Employee Welcome Guide:
    • A draft compiled by Barbara and Carol was reviewed. Mentoring will be added.
    • Distribution of the employee guide to new or transferring employees was discussed.
    • Send early; before start date
    • Send a hard copy
    • Human resources will send the guide to the new employee when sending Forms
    • Post on the internet, Carol will decide where to post and link it to the WV page.
    • Barbara will obtain a letter or introduction from the State Conservationist.
    • Completion date: Before the next CRAC meeting in August.
  • Training:
    • Training is still needed for most members of the CRAC. However due to budget constraints formal training for this year will not be happening.
    • Karen; Charlotte prepared for Mr. Wickey training cost estimates for in State training.
    • Action Item: A copy of the SEPM Workshop hand book will be given to each SEPM. They will review their particular discipline.
    • Barbara will find the most current Workshop hand book and distribute it.

New Business

  • Budget discussion continued. No money for each SEPM to budget as in previous years. Barbara: Mr. Wickey inquired about outreach. Particularly diversity in WV, NRCS. Discussion ensued concerning outreach and ways of expanding our outreach initiative.
  • Action Item:The CRAC members in each Area will put together a diversity program for a staff meeting.

Business Plan:

The committee reviewed the 2007 Business Plan. Many items were discussed in detail:

  • Under Goal 1:
    • Civil Rights compliance reviews are scheduled and the area CRAC representative will assist.
  • Under Goal 2:
    • Leonard attended and made a civil rights presentation to the South and West Areas.
    • The “New or Transfer Employee Welcome to WV, NRCS Information Packet” is 90% complete.
    • Carol has completed a power point for the Federal Woman’s Program

    This document require Microsoft PowerPoint
    ppt iconOverview of West Virginia Federal Women’s Program Power Point (505 KB)

  • Under Goal 3:
    • Nominations are needed for State and National Civil Rights award.
    • Mike, submitted an Article to Carol for the News and views on the American Indian.
    • Marvin will submit an article on Disability information for the August News and Views.

Other Information:

  • Barbara led discussion about employee diversity and the current diversity in WV NRCS.
    • Action Item: Employee Diversity
    • Ways to increase diversity

Reports:

  • Carol Lagodich, WV federal Women’s Program
    • Power point developed (link above)
    • March was National Women’s History Month
      • Posters
      • News and Views story
      • E-mails
      • WV NRCS state office women’s history quiz, national history quiz.
    • May 13 to 19 was Women's Health Week
      • Posters
      • News and Views story
      • E-mails
      • Lunch speaker, Dr. Bob Thompson
  • Rex Gardner, Hispanic
    • Discussed career days that are held around the country.
    • Promotional displays can be ordered through LANDCARE at nrcs.usda.gov/feature/exhibits and they also cover the shipping charges for receiving and returning
    • Forwarding vacancy announcements our agency has in WV to the National HEPM
  • Leonard Jackson: Black program Manager
    • Martin Luther King celebration
    • Area presentations
      State office luncheon including all agencies for Black History Month
  • Marvin Kerr: DEPM
    • Worked with state office on correcting the required posters and compiling a current list of posters.
  • Crystle Buchanan: West area representative
    • Obtained Accessibility signs with directional arrows for the Point Pleasant field office.
  • Karen Fitchett: Human Resources advisor
    • Affirmative Employment Plan (AEP) and budget
    •  One female with a disability has been hired.

The next meeting is scheduled for August 8, 2007 at 10:00 am, in Morgantown.

Action Items:

  • Mentoring Subcommittee
  • New Employee Subcommittee
  • Reorganize Website

Meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

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