1. Presented By: The Civil Rights Advisory Committee
Civil Rights and You….
Presented By: The Civil Rights Advisory Committee
I want to take a few moments to discuss work your fellow employees are doing to protect your rights under the law and the rights of your family friends and neighbors. I want to talk about the Civil Rights Advisory Committees

2. Committees Civil Rights Federal Women’s Program
Each year Iowa Bulletin IA X is sent out concerning standing committees and task forces. Included are the membership of the Civil Rights Committee and one Special Emphasis Committees—FWP These are the people making up the Civil Rights and Federal Women’s Program Committees who are working to protect your rights under the law.
Civil Rights
Federal Women’s Program

3. Civil Rights Committee Make Up
Chair—Assistant State Conservationist (FO)
Members from each area and State Office
Executive Director of CDI
Sponsors
Advisors
The Civil Rights Committee provides recommendations to the State Conservationist to assure NRCS programs are delivered and the NRCS employees are treated in a fair and equitable manner. The current director of Conservation Districts of Iowa is Deb Ryun.

4. Civil Rights Committee
The committee advisors:
Black Emphasis Program Manager
Disability Emphasis Program Manager
Hispanic Emphasis Program Manager
Federal Women’s Program Manager
Asian Pacific American Program Manager
American Indian/Alaska Native Program Manager
The committee as has the benefit of advisors from a number of special emphasis areas. Please note the term “mangers.” The person filling the role of a special emphasis manager may be a GS-07, but when it comes to their area of responsibility, make no mistake, they are filling the role of a manager. As such, they have the ear of the State Conservationist.

5. Civil Rights Committee Sponsors
Assistant State Conservationist (Technology)
State Administrative Officer
Staff Advisor
Who is the current Assistant State Conservationist for Technology? Acting Mike Sucik
Who is the State Administrative Officer? Demitrice Boozer
The Staff Advisor is Christopher Knudsen, Human Resources Manager, Des Moines

6. Vision Mission Equity for People and Programs
Ensure compliance with Agency policies for conservation and equal opportunity programs, and accountability for the delivery of quality and timely service to our customers
Really, isn’t that what we all want?

7. Charge
To provide the State Conservationist recommendations to assure NRCS programs are delivered and that NRCS employees are treated in a fair and equitable manner.
This is why the committee work is important to you. This is a check that we are complying with federal law and doing what is right.

8. Civil Rights & EEO Beginnings with the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Addresses employment discrimination
Equal opportunity is the law that applies to employment activities in both the Federal and private sectors. EEO and civil rights began with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights; however the Constitution and the Bill of Rights did not mention employment discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 had the greatest impact on employment providing protection and enforcement under the law against discrimination.

9. Title VI
“no person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Title six says, when serving our customers, we cannot discriminate based on race, color, or national origin.

10. Title VII
prohibits unlawful employment practices such as discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. It also prohibits reprisal or retaliation for participating in the discrimination complaint process or for opposing any unlawful employment practice.
Title seven says the agency cannot discriminate against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability if the person can do their job.

11. Committee Members Chair – Jim Frederick, ASTC – FO Area 2
Vice Chair – Bruce Trautman, ASTC – FO Area 5
Area 1 Rep. – Carroll Oskvig, DC Spirit Lake Field Office
Area 2 Rep. – Brad Harrison, DC Adel Field Office
Here are the current Civil Rights committee members. They are your co-workers and friends with a full time conservation job. This is a collateral duty.

12. Committee Members
Area 3 Rep. – Tamara Buitenwerf, SC Elkader Field Office
Area 4 Rep. – Nick Morrell, DC Indianola Field Office
Area 5 Rep. – Christine Lousias, SCT Wapello Field Office
State Office Rep. – Laurel Foreman, Civil Eng.
They were chosen for their position for a three year term.

13. Area Rep Responsibilities
Collect information on Civil Rights in their Area
Provide information and training to their Area
Look for potential conflict before it becomes a problem

14. Special Emphasis Programs
Federal Women’s Program (FWP)
Black Emphasis Program (BEP)
Hispanic Emphasis Program (HEP)
Asian Pacific American Program (APAP)
American Indian/Alaska Native Emphasis Program (AIANEP)
Disability Employment Program (DEP)
Advising the Civil Rights Committee are Special Emphasis Program Managers. The Federal Women’s Program is the only special emphasis program that involves a committee of six. Note the term manager.

15. Functions of SEPMs Resource person for members of EEO protected groups
Principle staff advisor of under represented groups
SEPs headed by Managers who directly report to State Conservationist
Provide leadership to managers and supervisors in order to develop strategies to effectively recruit, employ and promote qualified members of EEO protected groups and under represented groups
Serve as resource person and principle staff advisor in matters which affect employment and advancement of under represented groups
SEPMs are managers who are responsible for directly reporting to the State Conservationist on matters of their groups. They have direct access to the state conservationist on civil rights issues.

16. Functions of SEPs Remove discriminatory barriers to equal opportunity
Promote cultural diversity awareness
Take to management group issues and concerns
Identify and assist in removing discriminatory practices and procedures and other barriers to equal opportunity in all employment and program delivery activities.
Promote cultural diversity awareness
Participate in forums and national conferences to provide an effective channel of communication to management to provide particular concerns and issues of the group

17. Black Emphasis James Zeigler Program Manager
The purpose of the program is to provide focus on issues such as employment, promotion, training, and career enhancement affecting Black employees and applicants in NRCS.
James Zeigler – Black Emphasis Program Manager

18. Program Objectives
Increase the total number of Blacks in all Professional, Administrative, Technical, Clerical, and others (PATCO) categories, series, and grade levels
Encourage the participation of Blacks in all NRCS-sponsored programs and activities
Provide a network of professional support for Blacks
Ensure that the Black community receives equal treatment in all aspects of employment
Provide opportunities to participate in training and training programs such as career enhancement, graduate studies, and others.

19. Policy
It is NRCS policy to conduct a positive and continuing BEP that provides equal employment opportunity for Blacks in all personnel management policies and practices, as well as in NRCS-sponsored programs and activities.

20. Federal Women’s Program
Dick Tremain
FWP Chair
FWP is designed to create advancement opportunities throughout all occupational levels and all disciplines.
Dick Tremain
Program Manager

21. FWP Committee Chair – Dick Tremain, PAS State Office
Vice-Chair – Stephanie Hill, SC Manchester Field Office
Past Chair – Lori J. Altheide, District Conservationist, Ottumwa
Kathy Schneider, DC Onawa Field Office
Aaron Musselman, DC Nevada Field Office
Sandi Hunerdosse, SS Chariton Field Office
Chair – Dick Tremain, PAS State Office
Vice-Chair – Stephanie Hill, SC Manchester Field Office
Past Chair – Lori J. Altheide, District Conservationist, Ottumwa
Kathy Schneider, DC Onawa Field Office
Aaron Musselman, DC Nevada Field Office
Sandi Hunerdosse, SS Chariton Field Office
Stephanie Hill is missing in this picture
Who is the woman in orange?
Who does Sandi Hunerdosse work for? DSC as a secretary meaning we involve our partners as well.

22. Federal Women’s Program
FWP is a special emphasis management program within the Equal Opportunity Program of the federal government.
The FWP was established in 1967.
Focuses on women, but disseminates information and items relating to all employees regardless of gender.
Note: we disseminate information relating to all employees regardless of gender.

23. FWP Purpose
Improve the recruitment, job retention and advancement opportunities for women
Encourage the participation of women in all NRCS sponsored programs and activities

24. FWP Goals
Increase respect for the abilities and accomplishments of women employees
Address current issues of importance to women and men in today’s changing world.

25. FWP Goals (continued)
Promote employee’s advancement potential by providing information on career planning, upward mobility, special training, continuing education opportunities and balancing work and family.

26. HISPANIC PROGRAM MANAGER
ROBERT MIER
DC GRUNDY CENTER
Roberto Mier
Program Manager

27. HISPANIC PROGRAM MANAGER
Assists NRCS outreach
Help NRCS employees understand Hispanic customs
Provide Spanish language NRCS literature to Field Offices

28. HISPANIC PROGRAM MANAGER
Translates short documents from English to Spanish, or Spanish to English.
Maintain a Hispanic enrollment record of high schools in Iowa.
Assist Human Resources with Recruitment of Hispanics.

29. Disability Employment Program
Tricia Dunfee
Program Manager

30. “Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.”
-- Albert Einstein

31. Disabled People The largest minority in the United States
Every 1 in 6 persons has some degree of disability
Less than 3 percent of those of employment age are employed full or part time

32. Disabled people are not “those people”
Disabled people are not “those people”. They are our ourselves, or our friends, or our loved ones.

33. Interviewing People With Disabilities
During job interviews:
Ask only job-related questions
Do NOT ask about the disability
You can ask about job accommodations
during the interview

34. Assistive or Adaptive Technology
Talking /Braille Computers
Speech Amplifiers
Mobility Devices
508 Compliance
There are appliances that can help a disabled person do their jobs.

35. Importance of: Readers Sign Language Interpreters Service Animals
There are other ways to help

36. American Indian/Alaska Native Emphasis Program
Tanya Meyer-Dideriksen
Program Manager

37. Program Activities
Increase the total number of American Indians and Alaska Natives applying for positions with Iowa NRCS
Provide a network of professional support for American Indians and Alaska Natives in NRCS
Promote cultural diversity awareness

38. Program Activities
Encourage participation of American Indian and Alaska Natives in all NRCS programs and activities
Establish and maintain effective relationships with American Indian and Alaska Native organizations and groups.

39. Over 20 Tribes Lived in Iowa Historically
Moingwena
Omaha
Osage
Ottwawa
Otoe
Pawnee
Peoria
Ponca
Potawatomi
Sac
Sahnish
Sioux
Winnebago
Chippewa
Dakota
Delaware
Fox
Hidatsa
Ho-Chunk
Illinois
Iowa
Kickapoo
Mandan
Meskwaki
Missouria

40. Today, one tribe is federally recognized in Iowa.
Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa
The tribe self identifies as the Meskwaki Nation.

41. The Omaha and Winnebago tribes are federally recognized in Nebraska and also have a land base in western Iowa, along the Missouri River.

43. Asian Pacific Islander Program
Angela Biggs
Program Manager

44. APIs are Americans of Asian or Pacific Islander descent
APIs are Americans of Asian or Pacific Islander descent. Can you name a country/island?

45. US Census List (28 Asian/19 PI)
New Hebrides Is.
Okinawan
Pakistani
Papua New Guinean
Polynesian
Ponapean
Samoan
Sikkim
Singaporean
Solomon Islander
Sri Lankan
Tahitian
Tarawa Islander
Thai
Tokelauan
Tongan
Trukese
Vietnamese
Yapese
Bangledeshi
Bhutanese
Bikini Islander
Borneon
Burmese
Cambodian
Carolinian
Celebesian
Cerem
Cernam
Chamorro (Guam)
Chinese
Cosmopolitan
Eniwetok Islander Eurasian
Fijian
Filipino
Hawai’ian
Hmong
Indian
Indochinese
Indonesian
Iwo-Jiwan
Japanese
Javanese
Korean
Kwajalein Islander
Laotian
Malayan
Maldavian
Mariana Is.(Saipan & Tinian)
Marshall Islander
Melanesian
Micronesian
Mien
Mongolian
Nepali

46. Program Objectives
Encourage API participation in programs and activities
Provide network of professional support for API employees
Increase the total number of API’s applying for positions with Iowa NRCS
Promote cultural diversity awareness

47. What’s in it for you? API Resources Facts and cultural information
Training opportunities
Translation Services (Limited)
Opportunity to increase your awareness

48. API Statistics (from US Census)
As of 2000 – 3.6% - 4.2% of population (12 million)
Fastest growing racial group in US (95% increase from ’80 to ’90 and 48% since ’90)
Est. by out of 10 Americans will be of API descent

49. Civil Rights Issues
We’ve covered a lot of ground in a short time.

50. Civil Rights Review What the committees do Committee Makeup
Special Emphasis Programs
Who they report to
Why their work is important to you

51. Your future questions can be answered either on the web, by talking with your Civil Rights or Federal Women’s Program Representative, your supervisor, or by talking with a special emphasis program manager. There is also the human resources department. So each of us has a lot of options to get information and do the right thing.
Contact Information

52. Are there any questions I can try to answer for you now?
Sunset on Guam.
Photo by Angela Biggs.