Dual State Civil Rights Committee

Massachusetts & Rhode Island
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Teleconference

Present: Christine Clark, State Conservationist (MA); Mark Zinan, Advisor (MA); Louise Legouis - Chair (MA); Karen Regish, Federal Women Program Manager (MA); Michelle Moore, Disabled Emphasis Program Manager (RI); Reena Shaw, member (RI); Donald Liptack, Native American Program Manager (Ma); Michael Moorman, ASTC, RI; standing in for Roylene Rides-at-the-Door

Meeting started at 9:30 AM

New Business- Louise opened the meeting and proposed starting with new business.

1. RI Civil Rights Review

Mark- Mark reminded everyone of the Rhode Island Civil Rights review dates of March 24-28, 2008. He stressed that every every committee member needs a signed MOU in their office personnel files and a statement regarding SEPM duties in their performance review civil rights element. The civil rights chair person needs a stand-alone performance element.

Mark spoke with Cliff Denshire of the Civil Rights Review Team and the team will do phone interviews with the SEPMs in Massachusetts, so there will be no need for them to travel to Rhode Island for the review. Louise, however, will need to be in attendance in Rhode Island for the entrance and exit conferences.

Michael stated that Peter Bonome (HEPM) will not be available for the review, but might be reached by phone. Jeanne Comerford (APIPM) will be unavailable for the review. Reena Shaw (CR member) may be unavailable for the review. Roylene Rides-at-the-Door, STC, RI may be in Washington some of the week.

Mark reviewed some of the questions that the team may ask during the review. He stated:

• Be familiar with GM 230 parts 401-406

• SEPM’s pay particular attention to pages 18 and 19 in the civil rights compliance review guide

• SEPM’s be prepared to answer the sample questions for SEPMs listed in the guide

• Expected time for SEPMs to spend on Civil Rights work is up to 20%.

• Make sure you know the CR training that you have taken and civil rights training for the entire state.

• Know Title VI and Title VII.

• Make sure that all CR posters are in place in offices.

• Every committee member should be familiar with the Civil Rights Compliance Review Guide

2. CRC FY08 Budget

A $2,500 budget was approved for the CRC. Louise solicited input from the CRC to identify and prioritize needs and reviewed existing ideas:

• 1 hour CR “Lunch and Learn” training modules every quarter opened to all employees

• Get memberships in associations such as the Agronomy Society in order to post jobs onto their web site or find current members within NRCS to determine if they could post positions.

• Obtain reference books on civil rights.

• Create an on-line CR training library.

Melissa Marince will be asked about listing positions at the Universities of Massachusetts and the University of Rhode Island. Reena indicated she forwards opening to URI’s Multicultural Center but doesn’t know where the information is posted.

SEPM Updates-

Karen-FWPM-Reported that March was Women’s History Month. The theme this year is “Women’s Art, Women’s Vision”. The winner of the poster contest will be announced shortly.

Karen spoke of her recent FWPM training in New Mexico. She met the FEW Chairperson, Rhonda Trent, an inspiring woman who started with the Government as a GS 3 and is now a GS 15 in Washington. She said the Women’s program is not all about the number of women in the workplace but also upward mobility and training for women in order for them to move into higher paying positions within the government.

Michelle, DEPM- Michelle stated that there was no new report for DEPM. She stressed that she was busy preparing for the CR review in RI and working on the CR website to make it 508 compliant.

Don-AI/ANAPM-Don stated that he had no new business to report. He said that he has been working with the newly federally recognized Mashpee Tribe. He was asked by them to be the federal assistant to the tribe. He has also been looking into taking the Harmony workshop tribal training at some point.

Other business-

Louise- Proposed a brief business plan progress review. She stated that in her view more work may be needed to reach Goal 4. The challenge is to identify traditionally underserved potential customers. If we can identify them, we can determine if we are already reaching out to them or not.

Louise sent out an email for a list of employees with foreign language skills for assistance in the field if and when needed with customers more fluent in other languages. Only two employees responded so far.

Louise forwarded information a meeting to be held March 7th from 9:30 to 12:00 in Westfield MA called Immigrants and Agriculture in Western Massachusetts (IMMAG). This is a meeting of professionals, farmers and refugee service providers discussing possible opportunities and strategies to involve immigrants in farming activities in our area.

Proposed date for next meeting: Wednesday June 4th 9:30am-12:30pm at Purgatory Chasm.

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 A.M.

Karen Regish
Recorder

Last Modified: 08/21/2008

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