Nevada Interagency Civil Rights Committee Minutes

DATE: June 25, 2008

TO: NICRC Members

RE: NICRC Meeting Minutes

Present:
Bill Elder, NRCS Advisor
Teri Knight, Secretary
Tom Stephens, VEPM
Laura Matthews, NRCS Advisor
Paulette Balliette, FWEPM
Rose Santos, BEPM
Ron Davidson, Acting NRCS State Conservationist

Not Present:
Imelda Anderson, AAPIEPM
Angilla Denton, Chairperson and RD Liaison
Maria Murillo, HEPM
Zeeta Augello, DEPM
Linda Quinn, AIEPM and FSA Liaison
Roger Van Valkenberg, FSA State Director
Larry Smith, RD State Director

I. Opening & Introduction
Angilla Denton, Chair, was out-of-town and asked Bill Elder to chair the meeting.
Bill opened today’s meeting at 2:05 pm. The meeting was held at various locations statewide with members calling in by phone. Ron Davidson, Acting NRCS State Conservationist, took the opportunity to address the committee. Ron served on the Civil Rights committee in Idaho for 6 years and said it was a highlight of his 34-year career in federal service. Ron found that the civil rights work was important for the individual and the agency, provided opportunities to learn, and helped NRCS accomplish its mission. He encouraged us to continue our good work.

II. Minutes Review
Minutes of April 15 were accepted as written.

III. Program Reports

FWEPM Report: Paulette participated in a conference call on June 24. There is upcoming training for the Federal women’s group but she will not be able to attend. Also, the working group of federal women district conservationists is trying to meet. She will learn more about that.

BEPM Report: This position was filled by Rose Santos, NRCS. Since this was her first meeting, she had no report. Rose has served on the Civil Rights team in the past but not as the BEPM. There is a Black SEPM conference in Atlanta the second week of December and Rose was encouraged to request travel approval for it.

AIEPM Report: Linda was not in attendance.

APIEPM Report: Imelda was not in attendance.

DEPM Report: Zeeta was not in attendance.

HEPM Report: Maria was not in attendance.

VEPM Report: Tom reported that he missed a veteran’s conference call while away on training. He mentioned that RD will be losing one veteran to a Washington DC transfer. There are three positions open: Area Specialist, Area Director, and Construction Manager. Stay tuned.

NRCS Advisor Report: Laura brought us up-to-date on statewide Career Fairs. The next Fair in Reno is on November 5th, for the engineering and technical science day and November 6th for all majors. UNLV’s Fair is October 8th at the Thomas & Mack Pavilion. Laura recommended that we take Brian (or another student) who could offer a perspective on NRCS and the student intern program.
ACTION: Laura will send Teri the UNLV Career Fair information on email so she can get NRCS signed up. According to Laura and Bill, Jarrod will need to use the travel card to pay for the fees.

Chair Report: Angilla was not in attendance. Bill announced that NRCS will be sponsoring a NEDS-based training in Civil Rights Compliance and Responsibilities in Reno, September 16-18. He would like the NICR committee to have their next meeting (which is already scheduled for Sept. 16) in Reno. His idea is to have the committee first on the agenda and let us talk about civil rights issues and opportunities in Nevada, i.e., market ourselves. Updates will come from Bill via email.

Vice-Chair Report: This position is vacant.

Secretary Report: Teri updated the committee on an outreach project that the High Desert RC&D is working on. The second Tree Worker Safety training seminar offered in Spanish will be on 8 August in Las Vegas. Brochures are available.

Web Update: The NICRC web link should be http://intra4.fsa.usda.gov/nv/nvi/NICRCWebpages/NICRCHome.asp.

IV. Old Business

1. NICRC Position Vacancies. There are two committee positions that are currently vacant: Vice-Chair and webmaster. Bill reminded us that new members should have their PD updated with a supplement for the civil rights element. The committee recommended that we let all agency folks know of the Vice-chair opening.
ACTION: Teri will send out an email to all three agencies for interest.

The second position to fill is webmaster.
ACTION: Rose volunteered and will let the committee know (especially Melissa Bright who is acting webmaster) after she has received permission from her supervisor.

2. Training Assessment Update. In the February meeting there was a discussion about training needs for NICRC members. Some training is mandatory for new members and can involve actual travel to a training site, desktop training via AgLearn, and NEDS. Regarding the training assessment, Bill has researched training requirements and fiscal needs with FSA and NRCS and is waiting for Angilla’s review of FSA.
ACTION: Bill will get the needs assessment/budget analysis completed by next meeting.

3. Business Plan. Teri will have the Business Plan posted on the website so it is available for review. Teri will be sure that the budget for Career Fairs is on the FY09 plan. Teri will start preparing a draft business plan for FY09 for the committee.

4. Plan of Action. Members of the committee need to make updates to the Plan of Action. Teri will compile the items and give to Rose to post to the web.
ACTION: Teri will send out an email with a link to the Plan of Action to committee members. All members will send their input to Teri.

5. Career Fair. Was updated above in the NRCS report (section III).

6. NICRC Web-page Update: Melissa Bright has been serving as our temporary website guardian. The position has been filled by Rose Santos.
ACTION: Ron Davidson, Acting SC for NRCS Nevada will write a letter thanking Melissa for her service.

V. New Business
The NRCS has completed a Risk Assessment plan that includes a self-evaluation, identifies management opportunities and challenges. In addition the NRCS Outreach plan is posted. There are activities for the SEPM officers and committee to take note of. Bill will send it out by email. He said to take note of the Action Table and send any input back to him. The CR review guide dated November 2007 as well as the ADA appraisals. These documents may have applicable components for FSA and RD and are available. The new “And Justice for All (pink version)” poster is available.

VI. Open Comment
No comments were offered.

VII. Future Meeting Dates and Locations
Tuesday, 16 September, from 10 a.m. to noon, location in Reno to be confirmed.

VIII. Adjournment
Tom made a motion to adjourn. Teri seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 2:46 p.m.

Minutes prepared by Teri A. Knight, Secretary, reviewed by Angilla Denton and Committee.
 

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