Civil Rights Council Meeting Minutes

May 29, 2008

The Georgia Civil Rights Advisory Committee meeting was held Thursday, May 29, 2008, at the Houston County Government Building in Perry, GA.  Present were: Janice Aldridge, Angie Billups, Mary Branch, Will Brown, Dennis Chessman, David Drewry, Margaret Dunn, Sharon Gipson, Debbie Henry, Neal Leonard, Carlton McCray, Carolee Osborne, Jose Pagan, James Tillman and Kim Vaughn.  Amos Jones was not in attendance.

Chairperson Jose Pagan called the meeting to order.  Introductions were made and the committee welcomed newcomers to the meeting:  Dennis Chessman, state office representative; Margaret Dunn, area one representative; and Carlton McCray, Black Emphasis Program Manager. 

A motion was made and seconded to approve the February 2008 teleconference minutes.

 State Conservationist report:
Mr. Tillman thanked everyone for attending and thanked the committee for their support to ensure customers and employees equal opportunity to access programs, activities, and services and nondiscrimination in the delivery of USDA programs and services.  He continued with highlights of the new Farm Bill.  Mr. Tillman stated the new farm bill is very supportive of conservation.  He talked briefly on the following topics included in the Farm Bill:

  Ø      Organic farming

Ø      Denial of access to producers

Ø      Agreements for technical assistance only; no monies attached

Mr. Tillman also stated that Craig Aiello, Program Analyst for the East Regional Assistant Chief, will be present at the State Leadership Team meeting on Monday, June 2^nd.

Mr. Tillman thanked Jose for serving as chairman of the committee and said that he is doing an outstanding job.

Mr. Tillman told the committee topics such under-representation of specific groups, etc. should be discussed at each meeting.

Action Item 1:  Submit three (3) names for civil rights award recognition by close of business August 1, 2008 to Mr. Tillman.
Note:  Area and State Office Representatives should submit names of potential candidates to Jose by July 18, 2008 using documentation from the Awards Handbook for the Civil Rights Award.  A subcommittee will be created to meet and select three names to be forwarded to Mr. Tillman for award approval.

National Civil Rights review: 
Sharon Gipson stated that Georgia’s National Civil Rights Review went well and a consolidated report should be coming out.  Jose Pagan provided the committee with the Exit Interview comments from the National Committee and they were discussed at length. Jose will get information out to area representatives to discuss at area staff meetings regarding comments/recommendations of National CR review team when their report is received.

Area Two Civil Rights Review:
Janice Aldridge and Margaret Dunn assisted with the review.  Issue of concern: Some offices do not meet requirements for handicap accessibility.  This should be addressed with Louis Hendrix and Sharon Gipson.  Overall good review.
 

Action Item 2:  Mr. Tillman stated that the state office will provide all offices with a copy of the memorandum of understanding between NRCS and SWCD to have on file.

All Employee Conference: It was stated that overall 90% of NRCS employees were very pleased with the training offered in Augusta.  Mr. Tillman complimented the committee for their hard work on the preparation for the conference. 

SEPM’s report:  Each SEPM highlighted activities that are currently going on and a copy of each report will be submitted to Jose.  Area representative also gave a report of on-going activities. David Drewry addressed concern regarding the time-frame that info is being sent out to SCEP students for internship. Orientation for seven new students will be held in Athens June 17-19, 2008.

GaNRCS Website:  Dennis Chessman will work with Mary Ann McQuinn regarding posting civil rights comments (to remain anonymous) and minutes on GA civil rights website.

TAG – Neal Leonard

Ø      TAG workshop held in Athens April 2008

Ø      The Sustainable Agriculture Summit (Focus on the Future) to be held at FVSU, June 12, 2008.

Ø      June/July next TAG meeting.  Encourage each agency to have a breakout sessions/exhibits/etc.

Outreach – Angie Billups

Ø      Working with Mary Ann McQuinn to develop outreach webpage

Ø      Developed brochure on EQIP addressing assistance for Small Scale and Limited Resource Farmers

Ø      Two demo workshops thru TAG

Ø      Power point presentation available for use for LRF

Awards: Sharon Gipson stated that Georgia will no longer give $100 for poster awards (SEE ACTION ITEM #1)

Training: New committee members should submit all training on SF-182 thru Ag-Learn

Civil Rights Performance Element: Mr. Tillman will get an addendum to each supervisor for employees serving on the civil rights committee to be included in his/her performance appraisal.

Budget:  SEPM’s budget remains the same as in FY2007

Vacancies on civil right committee:  Asian American/Pacific Islander Program manager’s vacancy announcement is out.  Thanks to Chan Ly for time served.

Work Group Reports:

NRCW Outreach Initiative work group: Ft. Valley State University will present a $1,000 scholarship to a high school student at the workshop to be held in Tifton June 8-12. 

At least one SCEP position will be offered every year to a high achieving student from the workshop.  Priorities will be determined by technical and AEP defined needs. NRCW Coordinator will draft selection criteria for committee review.

Program Delivery & Outreach Evaluation:

Recommendation was made that Janice Aldridge and Dennis Chessman attend the EQIP meeting to be held in Perry June 24-25, 2008 to represent concerns of the civil rights committee in program delivery.  Angie Billups and Carolee Osborne will serve on subcommittee.  This team will assist to identify problems/solution during EQIP sign-up.

Mr. Tillman suggested that a representative for Organic farming should also attend this meeting.

Action Item 3:  Mr. Tillman stated that all employees will be given necessary training on EQIP to include, but not limited to practices such as: micro-irrigation and other related conservation practice.

 NOPBNRCSE Meeting

Meeting organizers asked GaCRAC members for help with meeting logistics during the activity to be held in Atlanta, GA  on December 8-12, 2008.

Carlton McCray; Mary Branch and Jose Pagan volunteered for this activity.

Next Meeting:

August 21, 2008 at the Houston County Government Building in Perry, GA.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by:

Mary Branch

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