> **NRCS CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE MINUTES**
>
> **February 2, 2007**
>
> **Federal Building Room 693A**

The NRCS Civil Rights Committee meeting was called to order on February
2, 2007 at 9:00 by

Bruce Trautman. Attendance was as follows:

Bruce Trautman, Chair

Jeff Zimprich, Assistant Chair

Linda Wells (Recorder)

Deborah White, EO Advisor

Christopher Knudsen, Advisor

Jennifer Dubendorf, State Office

Jim Gertsma, Area 1 (teleconference)

Denis Schulte, Area 2 (teleconference)

Tamara Buitenwerf, Area 3 (teleconference)

Brian Gross, Area 4 (teleconference)

Anastasia Erdmann, Area 5 (teleconference)

Robert Mier, Hispanic

Tanya Meyer-Didricksen, American Indian/Alaska Native

Stephanie Hill, Federal Women's Program (teleconference)

Angela Biggs, Asian American/Pacific Islander (teleconference)

Shaffer Ridgeway, Black Emphasis (not present)

Judy Martinson, Veteran/Disability Emphasis (not present)

***Old Business:***

Minutes from the November, 2007 meeting were read with no changes.

***New Business:***

**2007 Business Plan:**

Tanya began the dialog with the following suggestions:

-   promote and increase diversity in Earth Team volunteers,

-   acknowledge office with most Civil Rights accomplishments (as
    reported in the quarterly reports),

-   education sessions in areas on rotational basis by SEPMs.

Jim Gertsma mentioned Iowa One Call. One DC gave a presentation on
diversity; need 3-5 minute presentations.

Jeff and Angela are looking for a tape that could be used for outside
groups. Suggestion of peacock movie, but it was decided that would not
be appropriate.

Jennifer Dubendorf suggested the one on diversity in producers (type of
crop or livestock) -- diversity more than ethnicity or religion.

Bruce: Limiting factors in outreach/hiring/activities are: don't always
get right folks to the sessions (example: FWP event -- well attended by
female employees). Other special emphasis meetings are good and
employees return with good insights. One suggestion was to have
something like an all-staff summit to specifically talk about diversity,
to include why we recruit and why diversity is important.

There was discussion about what can we do to increase diversity and make
NRCS more diverse in recruiting. As there is some concern that white
males are beginning to feel excluded from diversity discussions, it was
suggested that representatives from that group be included in the
brainstorming session.

Tamara -- Why is it important to them? How do we encourage these people
to care?

Chris -- Put in their PAW that these are important and you will go.
There was a time when people were strongly encouraged to attend these
events and that's not the case now, so people aren't attending.

Jeff: How about something called a "Workforce Summit?" The issues facing
us are different (i.e., older employees, retirements, skills are
different, and the customer base has changed). If not an all agency
summit, then by area, with the State Office split up into fifths and
send the area meetings.

Bruce: Select representatives to get issues from the summits, so issues
can be talked about.

Jennifer: Important that all areas get the same material.

Jeff: If training comes from this group, then it would be consistent.

Jennifer: This group would attend all meetings to ensure consistency.

Jeff made the suggestion that Bruce takes this to the SOLT to get
approval.

The committee should be involved in all office reviews.

Jeff: Reviews: New DCs should be included in reviews -- part of Soil
Conservation, etc.

Deb: How do we feel about office reviews? She went on-line and got some
national information, presented Minnesota's. Are we happy with it? The
setup?

Jeff: Review guide talked about, update more applicable to Iowa -- stuff
in it that's no longer used. Spent a lot of time on it, and then were
told we had to follow the national. Readdress with the new Civil Rights
people at the National level, and if we're happy with ours -- take it to
the National people.

Tanya: National reviews -- don't have one in April?

Deb White -- No, mix-up with another state.

Workforce Summit -- having a good overall plan would be good.

Coordinated recruiting

Affirmative employment plan

Staff

Who's in what position?

Look at positions

Coordinate with SEPMs to make presentations.

Past things have worked because we've had enough money, but with the
budget as it is its more important than ever -- plus it dovetails nicely
with the workload assessment.

It was suggested we stop at this point and work on these important
issues.

**ACTION: Jennifer will send a reminder of action in two weeks through
Outlook.**

**Bruce will write up the pre-work for what we want to accomplish this
year and get on the SOLT agenda.**

Angela shared that there is now a spreadsheet called SEPM Recruiting
List that shows where minority students are in Iowa.

**AEP:**

Not sure why the plan is so hard to keep track of. Always under
represented, always remains the same. There once was a multi-year one
for the years 2003-2007. This team has worked on this and not sure where
it went. Should be getting something from headquarters to add responses
to so we can get it sent in -- sometime in May?

**ACTION: Deb will make contact to find out when the report is coming
(Angela did this while we were in the meeting, but was sent an old
report).**

Since 2004 our numbers of employees have gone down. Retirement is a
positive thing because they are a lot of older white men. There is also
attrition through retirement. New people coming on are introduced to
diversity. Letters have been sent to students stating that they may want
to look elsewhere.

Do we need to meet again before May on this -- don't think so. Work
through emails and teleconferences. A lot will be numbers from Human
Resources. Toward the end are the reports. Bruce is interested in
developing the workforce summit, and the committee needs to sit together
to plan, as well as work on the AEP (though with budget the way it is,
will there be much on the AEP?). Tanya mentioned that even though the
SEPMs can't actually travel to high schools, etc., that's making this
more of a relationship building year, and hopefully when the budget gets
better we will be able to rely on these new relationships. Each area has
\$5,000 for travel and Bruce would like part of that to be used for a
two-day meeting within the next month. All agreed.

Recruiting: Jeff mentioned that we're really doing things a bit wrong
here -- building high school relationships are good (good affirmative
action plan), but if you take a look at students going into Ag, there
won't be enough to fill the need on down the road. We need to be talking
to and influencing 8^th^ graders and freshman age kids. Chris did
mention that this is true, but we do have hiring of minors issues to
consider -- means we start up dialog early on and stay with them.

Jennifer: We're only doing things like this occasionally -- like field
days once a year and that's it. Need to continue to talk to them about
conservation and a career in conservation. (Chris -- need to start
capturing this area for the report). Jennifer mentioned that whenever
she does a conservation outreach, she is told by her supervisor that she
has to take leave. That's a supervisor education problem. Tanya says
that some of this is being captured on the reports, but a lot of it
needs to be compiled and it needs to be in the quarterly reports. Bruce
said that the thing that brought him to a conservation career was
memories of walking behind a tree planter as a youth. Jeff said that
that's a good question and one we could ask of our employees -- what
drew you to conservation -- what was it that made you want to work in
conservation and/or NRCS? This could be part of the summit. Jeff
mentioned that we also have to stop talking about Ag to the young
contacts, and start talking about the "environment." They're starting Ag
programs where they've never been before -- and mostly because of
environmental issues. Angela asked if it would be possible for NRCS to
put together a recruiting video, specifically asking how other people
came to work for NRCS. Jeff mentioned that there is a recruiting
PowerPoint that's been used in the past, but a part like that is not
included. We need to push what NRCS offers and focus on chemistry,
biology and computers to attract the young.

Schedule two-day summit planning meeting, prospective days are the
12^th^ and 13^th^ of March, starting at 11:00 and going to 4:00 the
first day, and meeting from 8 to 1:00 the second day to accommodate
people traveling long distances.

**ACTION: Bruce will call the other ASTC-FOs about the meeting and ask
for the cost to be taken out of the travel budget. Linda will research
locations -- offsite and in the Federal Building.**

**OTHER BUSINESS:**

Chris -- Do schools still have DECA program in the high schools? Is
there a DECA advisor you contact? Bruce, yes. Jeff, some of these
programs are for 1 to 2 periods, and they are usually available for 45
minutes and there's just not enough time to do field visits (or the fun
stuff). They can't work if they're under 14, and can't be in dangerous
situations (driving, construction, etc.). The Indian Scholarship Program
an exemption where they can? Tanya -- may be tribal.

Chris reminded everyone that there should be sign-up sheets at all
events we sponsor (see attached).

Commisioners -- Can we say in the AEP report that we helped with women
getting on boards, which can recruit other women.

Internship programs -- national that won't cost any money?

Chris -- Committed to hire Hispanic person, he turned down six other
jobs to take this one and that will hopefully go forward. There's a
special grant through the USDA to Hispanic colleges.

All the students got letters, with carbons to the ASTC-FOs. Some will go
on for their Masters. Contacts with other states -- Iowa does a good job
of recruiting and sharing their information. We count these as success
stories -- students who stay in NRCS, even if they don't stay in Iowa.

Outstanding -- HACU - All on hold nationally for revamping.

Job Service has JTPA -- but wants a commitment that there's a job after
that.

Also Green Thumb -- we can't do that?

Jennifer -- Earth Team Walk A Mile program is a possibility.

National Cattlemen's -- paying for producers to work with NRCS, should
talk to them about students.

Work with partners to keep the most qualified ones.

Through conservation agreements -- back to us to keep them as federal
employees.

Convert within 120 days.

**[STATE OFFICE AND AREA REPORTS:]{.underline}**

**[State Office Civil Rights Report -- Jennifer Dubendorf]{.underline}**

-   Two ACES employees at the State Office -- they will be working
    through the end of May.

-   One white female volunteer.

-   One disabled white male volunteer.

-   Working on coordinating with Dowling High School on a volunteer
    project.

-   Working with the Polk County Community Service Sentencing to get
    volunteers for a several month long project.

**[Area 1 Civil Rights Report, Jim Gertsma]{.underline}**

-   M&M Divide RC&D and the Carroll Field Office, as part of an
    accredited school internship program, are sharing a Carroll high
    school student intern to assist them with various project
    activities. The purpose of the program is to provide high school
    students with practical work experience in a discipline they are
    considering as a career and to plan their college education
    accordingly. Currently, their student is considering pursuing a
    degree in Environmental Science/Natural Resources. She started her
    semester-long internship last week and works approximately 5-6 hours
    per week.

-   The District Commissioners in Cherokee hired a female graduate
    (May 2006) of Buena Vista University to assist with program delivery
    and also to help with technical support in the field for
    conservation application.

-   Iowa Lakes RC&D, in the last few months, has contracted with 3 white
    females to gather information for a Watchable Wildlife project.
    Also, they recently hired a white female that is working on Historic
    Preservation projects.

-   The Lyon SWCD is in the process of hiring an Environmental
    Specialist half time for some grant work. This position has been
    listed with Iowa Workforce. Two interviews were held January
    21, 2007. One female, one male, both white. No decision as yet.

-   One female District Conservationist in Area 1 received a promotion
    to GS-11 in November.

**[Area 2 Civil Rights Report -- Dennis Schulte]{.underline}**

-   An email was sent to all employees of Area 2 about the life and
    contributions of Martin Luther King. Along with the article was sent
    Doctor King's famous speech about having a dream about equality.

-   There is a Woman's Land and Legacy meeting planned for Humboldt
    County the last week of February. It is being held with Pocahontas
    County.

-   Thompson Field Office is hosting a 2 day workshop called "Women
    Around Ag". It is scheduled for March 2^nd^ and 3^rd^ (see
    attached).

-   Humboldt county was showcased on the NRCS webpage for their outreach
    program with kids. Allison Orr, district staff, and local
    conservationists have teamed up with a Humboldt church to give local
    elementary students a place to go and learn outside of school. The
    church opens its doors every Wednesday afternoon to give nearly 100
    students a safe place to go on "early dismissal" days. Once a month,
    Allison, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship,
    Humboldt County Soil and Water Conservation District, Pheasants
    Forever, and Humboldt Parks and Recreation put on an activity to
    help the kids learn while keeping them occupied. Recently, Allison,
    NRCS staff, and others helped kids in this northern Iowa town of
    just over four thousand, to make their own gourd birdhouse. Future
    programs will be on fur bearing Iowa animals and birds where the
    kids will see a live bald eagle.\"

**[Area 3 Civil Rights Report -- Tamara Buitenwerf]{.underline}**

> **Area Office**

-   Providing field office reviews for Civil Rights. Robert Mier (HEPM),
    Shaffer Ridgeway (BEPM) and Tamara Buitenwerf (Area Rep), have
    assisted when time, schedules and location allow.

-   Retirements and Vacancies: we have had several retirements which
    have resulted in vacancies in the past few months. We hope to be
    able to fill positions as budget allows.

-   Area Rep sent out an updated list of SEPM's in February to all
    offices.

-   Area Rep sent out the EEO Poster List in February to all offices.

> **Allison FO** -- *nothing to report*
>
> **Anamosa FO**

-   One Hispanic high school student signed up as a volunteer for NRCS.

-   Jones SWCD appointed two female assistant commissioners to the board
    in January.

-   Reviewed Civil Rights topics with commissioners January 2, 2007.
    Minutes documented as follows: Joe reviewed the "Cooperative Working
    Agreement" between NRCS/USDA, the State of Iowa and the Jones County
    SWCD. The "Mutual Agreement" between USDA, State of Iowa and the
    SWCD was also discussed.

-   Technician worked with a Hispanic landowner on building a pond and
    has provided him designs.

-   Secretary provided state cost share and EQIP guidelines to a woman
    landowner and signed her up for IFIP.

-   Jones County NRCS was a partner in the Women Land & Legacy program.
    In November, we sent out 1300 invitations to women who had land
    interest in Jones County. On November 29, we held the first Level
    One WLL meeting. There were approximately 35 women in attendance.

-   At the November staff meeting, the group reviewed Title VI and VII
    of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Copy of summary was provided. Joe
    informed staff that additional information can be found on the
    bulletin board near Lynn Sterk's work area.

-   At the February staff meeting, Joe provided copies of NRCS's Special
    Emphasis Program Sheet. It was noted that there are seven programs
    to address the employment-related concerns of groups not
    specifically included in other programs where a need for special
    emphasis or programs have been demonstrated.

> **Cedar Valley RC&D** - *nothing to report*
>
> **Charles City**

-   Civil rights, EEO, and Sexual harassment were discussed at quarterly
    staff meetings.

-   Worked with 3 Mennonite families on conservation issues.

-   Worked with 11 female landowners on conservation issues.

-   Conducted Civil Rights Review for our field office with Area Office
    staff.

> **Cresco FO**

-   Assisted 15 women landowners with applications for CCRP, and 1
    female landowner with an EQIP application.

-   NRCS/FSA/County Extension hosted a Women Land and Legacy meeting
    with 31 women in attendance

-   Reviewed EEO and whistle blower information during a staff meeting

-   Recruited a new female assistant commissioner

> **Decorah FO**

-   Winneshiek County staff assisted 3 female landowners with
    applications for state cost share.

> **Elkader FO**

-   Continues to work with women in the county on Women, Land & Legacy
    planning for future meetings. This group has served approximately
    100 different women from various age groups and backgrounds.

-   Soil Conservationist continues to assist and work with two limited
    resource farmers enrolled in CSP.

-   Staff assisted three limited resource farmers in applying for FY
    2007 EQIP funds.

-   Review of CR info at staff meeting.

-   The district employs one disable female part time

> **Epworth FO**

-   Staff meeting: Staff reviewed Title VI and VII and difference
    between the two. Staff also reviewed differences between Outreach
    and Civil Rights as presented at the DC/SC meeting in November. In
    attendance were staff members: Theresa Weiss-DC, Colleen
    Siefken-State Secretary, Ron McCarthy-State Tech, Earl Hosch-Aces
    Employee, Paul Vondra-SC & Julie Hoefler-SCT.

-   The DC, Watershed Coordinator, and State Urban Conservationist met
    with "Sisters of Saint Francis" and "Divine Word Seminary" Board on
    [separate]{.underline} Urban Conservation Projects. The "Divine Word
    Seminary" student body is almost entirely foreign students from all
    around the world, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

> **Grundy Center FO**

-   District Conservationist assisted a producer discussed EQIP program
    with a gentleman with a disability, he later signed up for the
    program.

-   Worked with 3 women landowners to get conservation practices
    established.

-   Newsletter sent out to all landowners and operators in Grundy
    County, including all women on the list.

> **Independence FO**

-   The Independence Field Office has Civil Rights training during staff
    meetings with individuals giving reports on different civil rights
    topics. During February the topic is Black History month so the
    report will be on some black history events and information.

> **Limestone Bluffs RC&D** - *nothing to report*
>
> **Manchester FO**

-   The Delaware Co. SWCD sent Tree Order forms to all landowners in
    Delaware Co. One of these was an Asian-Pacific Islander landowner

-   One female producer was assisted with a conservation plan and
    planning for a CNMP.

-   One female producer was assisted with an application for EQIP.

-   CSP payments were made to two female producers and their spouses.

> **Maquoketa FO**

-   Remodel is finished. Updated handicapped accessibility areas in the
    building, such as restrooms and door handles.

-   Post all EEO posters.

> **Marion FO** - *nothing to report*
>
> **New Hampton FO**

-   Soil Conservationist working with others to plan the initial WLL
    meeting.

> **Northeast Iowa RC&D**

-   Assisted with development of a local foods coalition, the Northeast
    Iowa Food and Farm Coalition, to provide a venue for non-traditional
    farmers that want to increase production and consumption of local
    foods. Work with the producers and facilitate discussion between
    them, economic development leaders and other community leaders to
    develop and implement a strategic plan to meet their goals.

-   Provided assistance to a female business owner to identify other
    business owners, including other women, interested in working
    together to develop a web-based local foods sales template for
    internet sales. Also identified and obtained funding to have the
    template developed and made available to all local foods producers
    and producer groups in Iowa.

-   Work with Postville Diversity Council and other community leaders to
    identify Hispanic, Russian and Jewish leaders to serve on a regional
    planning team and provide an immigrant voice for the local food and
    fitness initiative.

-   Met with Hispanic, Russian and Jewish leaders and translators to
    help them fill out the paper work to be nominated to serve on the
    local food and fitness initiative and identify language and cultural
    barriers to involving immigrant communities in projects.

-   Assisted a disabled producer to identify new opportunities for
    assistance in the development of a disabled dairy operation.

-   Hosted an Iowa League of RC&D conference and contracted a woman
    producer, a woman business owner and a woman professional to present
    information to the group on local food production and consumptions,
    related businesses and initiatives. The meeting was opened up to
    participants from throughout the region. Dozens of women attended
    the meeting.

-   Provide assistance bookkeeping and tracking assistance to Women,
    Land and Legacy programs in four counties.

-   Assisted several groups of women volunteers working collaboratively
    on RC&D Projects.

-   Provided guidance and assistance with project application to a two
    new groups of women completing RC&D Project application.

-   Provided guidance and suggestions for how a low-income community,
    Guttenberg, could incorporate input and assistance from their
    minority and underserved populations into an Iowa Great Places
    presentation.

-   Went over EEO during staff meeting.

> **Osage FO** - *nothing to report*
>
> **Toledo FO** - *nothing to report*
>
> **Vinton FO**

-   Worked with 11 female landowners in completing their conservation
    plans for re-enrolling their CRP acres.

-   Assisted with conservation planning for one female landowner in the
    newly established 319 project for Hannen Lake.

-   Assisted 2 female landowners with applying for EQIP and completing
    conservation plans for their farms.

> **Waterloo FO**

-   Recruited and hired a lady to work in our office through the new
    ACES program. She started in early November.

> **Waukon FO** - *nothing to report*
>
> **Waverly FO** - *nothing to report*
>
> **Waverly Soils** - *nothing to report*
>
> **West Union FO** - *nothing to report*

**[Area 4 Civil Rights Report -- Brian Gross]{.underline}**

-   Malvern Service Center collected coats and winter clothing for an
    Omaha Women's Shelter in December. (See Crossroads of Diversity
    Newsletter for more information.)

-   Atlantic Area Office staff met with Northwest Missouri State
    Agricultural Department Head and professors in January. Exchange of
    information on recruiting/course work/research needs was made.

-   Sidney Service Center held a food drive for the West Central
    Development Corporation in Fremont County.

-   Several Contractor Meetings are being conducted throughout the area
    with the Sexual Harassment training materials being shown at some of
    the meetings.

-   Women Land and Legacy meetings have been held for
    Fremont/Page/Montgomery county individuals in November with
    additional meetings scheduled for February and March. A multiple
    County meeting is being organized by Harrison/Shelby/Pottawattamie
    and Audubon counties.

-   Jeff Zimprich conducted seven Mock interviews with Northwest
    Missouri State students on February 7^th^.

-   Three retirements occurred around the 1^st^ of the year in Area IV,
    all three were white males.

-   NRCS is working with a gentleman who is voicing concerns about the
    Women, Land and Legacy program. This will be discussed with the Iowa
    Leadership Team and Principle Staff the week of February 26^th^.

**[Area 5 Civil Rights Report -- Anastasia Erdmann]{.underline}**

**Recruitment and retention**: Nothing New to report

**Promotions/minority advancement:** Nothing new to report

**Employment Development:** Nothing new to report

**Field Offices:**

-   **DeWitt Field Office** has been assisting an elderly female
    landowner through the CRP program. Her goal has been to exclude
    livestock from a stock pond and to reverse aesthetic damage in the
    pasture she rents out. This has been a good opportunity for us to
    help an individual who might otherwise be overlooked to achieve
    their conservation goals.

-   **The Ottumwa Field Office** will be holding a Women Land Legacy
    meeting January 25th in Ottumwa.

-   **Pathfinders RC&D** has retained their female project employee and
    extended her contract from June 30, 2007 to December 31, 2007.

-   Pathfinders RC&D will be participating in two Women in Ag Meetings
    in Jefferson County on April 12, 2007, and in Van Buren County on
    April 5, 2007. March 30th will be the 3rd Annual Diversity Day at
    Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa

-   **Oskaloosa Field Office:** On January 11th a letter was sent to 14
    women landowners with grassland in the northeast corner of the
    county where there are significant areas of grassland. The letter
    sent outlined the benefits of rotational grazing, wildlife habitat
    and potential cost share through EQIP, WHIP, and REAP. It is hoped
    that this will encourage them to think about potential grassland
    improvement opportunities and our offer of assistance.

**SPECIAL EMPHASIS PROGRAM MANAGER REPORTS**

***Asian American/Pacific Islander Program, Angela Biggs***

-   December 2006 -- February 2007, worked with the Diversity Day
    Planning Committee:

-   To schedule the ICN for March 7, 2007

-   Worked with IDALS -- Division of Soil Conservation to help sponsor
    the Diversity Day ICN in order to secure the state agency rates for
    the ICN

-   We're still working on the final details including the handouts and
    evaluation form

-   January 2007, discussed the AA/PI National Strategic Plan with
    Virginia Lewis, National Program Mgr.; she has decided we should
    stop working on the strategic plan for the time being.

-   Contacted Sheila Cox, ASTC-FO Area 1, to set up the cultural
    presentation

-   December 2006, held a follow-up conference call with the other SEPM
    to:

-   create a list of Iowa high schools to target for recruiting

-   brainstorm and create a template for conducting cultural education
    for NRCS employees in Iowa

    -   FY2007 theme is famous Americans from each emphasis group

    -   Presentations will be given based on the rotation schedule in
        the table

-   November 2006, met with the other SEPM to work on coordinating
    efforts for recruiting and education.

**Cultural Presentation Rotation Schedule**

  ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
             **FY2007**   **FY2008**   **FY2009**   **FY2010**   **FY2011**   **FY2012**

  **Area 1** AA/PI EP     FWP          DEP/VEP      AI/AN EP     BEP          HEP

  **Area 2** HEP          AA/PI EP     FWP          DEP/VEP      AI/AN EP     BEP

  **Area 3** BEP          HEP          AA/PI EP     FWP          DEP/VEP      AI/AN EP

  **Area 4** AI/AN EP     BEP          HEP          AA/PI EP     FWP          DEP/VEP

  **Area 5** DEP/VEP      AI/AN EP     BEP          HEP          AA/PI EP     FWP

  **State    FWP          DEP/VEP      AI/AN EP     BEP          HEP          AA/PI EP
  Office**                                                                    
  ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

***Black Emphasis Program, Shaffer Ridgeway***

-   November 10^th^ -- Attended the Regional MANRRS Conference along
    with Robert Mier for the purpose of recruitment. We made contacts
    with several good potential student employees. Their names were
    passed on to the HR Department. I am planning to attend the National
    MANRRS Conference in March budget permitting.

-   Working with Nina Grant the director of Ag Multicultural Program at
    ISU. Her program goal is to recruit U.S. domestic minority/ students
    of color to the College of Agriculture and ensure their success
    while at Iowa State University. It is my hope that we can recruit
    some of her students into our intern program. I think this is one
    area that all the SEPM could benefit. (Thanks to Robert)

-   December 15^th^ -- Participated in a conference call with the other
    SEPM. We discussed topic such as SEPM programs for each area and how
    we could work together recruiting.

-   Working with the editor of the Iowa Bystander to write quarterly
    articles. I am hoping to use this media resource to post job opening
    and program information for the Black Community. The first one
    should be released in March. If anyone has article ideals feel free
    to pass them my way.

-   Sent the Bulletin for Black History Month to State Office.

-   Will send out weekly emails on Black History Fact doing the month of
    February.

***Federal Women's Program, Stephanie Hill***

-   Met with other SEPMs to begin coordinating efforts for recruiting in
    November, 2006.

-   Attended conference call in December 2006 with other SEPMs to work
    on recruiting and presenting cultural information to the areas on a
    rotating basis. This year Federal Women's Program will present to
    the State Office. The theme will be famous Americans.

-   Distributed newsletter from the National Federal Women's Program
    Manager, Sharon Alvarez to Iowa personnel.

-   Distributed information for Iowa Women's Conference sponsored by
    Iowa Women in Natural Resources and Women's History Month in March.

-   Scheduled a conference call tomorrow to discuss recruitment efforts
    and presentation of famous Americans.

-   In March we hope to complete our Strategic Plan for Federal Women's
    Program.

***Hispanic Emphasis Program, Robert Mier***

-   November, 2006 attended MANRRS Regional meeting in Madison,
    Wisconsin. Helped do mock interviews and spoke to many students
    about NRCS. Made contact with the presidents from several Chapters
    in the Midwest.

-   December, 2006 attended the first Youth Congress in Des Moines, saw
    student's debate and brings up issues for their communities.

-   January, 2007 completed HEPM brochure for the Iowa Website. It is
    currently on the website.

-   January, 2007 contacted the ASTC FO for Area 2; we will meet in
    April to discuss scheduling a SEPM meeting in the area.

-   January, 2007 made updated contacts for the MANRRS chapters in the
    Midwest and sent out a vacancy announcement for Iowa.

-   January, 2007 went on Civil Rights Review with Area Office staff for
    the Allison FO.

***American Indian/Alaska Native Emphasis Program, Tanya
Meyer-Dideriksen***

-   First, following is a resource for the other SEPMs. The State Data
    Center of Iowa is a good source for demographic information.
    [http://www.iowadatacenter.org](http://www.iowadatacenter.org/)

> **Recruitment**

-   Reviewed the resumes received at the American Indian Science and
    Engineering Society (AISES) conference for potential students to
    come to Iowa. There were none interested in being mobile. Also
    worked with Jeff Zimprich, Valorie Johnson, Margaret Henderson, and
    Trish Dunfee to develop a strategy for recruitment at South Dakota
    State University, with my emphasis on American Indian recruitment.
    We scheduled a recruitment trip for Feb. 20-23. Due to budget
    constraints, not sure that will take place.

-   Part of a committee that recently developed a scholarship donation
    fund allowing direct deposit donations to fund scholarships for
    American Indian students pursuing an education in a natural
    resources field.

> **Education**

-   Continued to provide weekly articles through the month of November
    on American Indian culture to all Iowa NRCS employees by email and
    on the Iowa NRCS website. Received some very positive comments and
    questions for more information from employees. Serve on the planning
    committee and currently developing the 2007 American Indian Program
    Delivery Training Conference to be held August 27-31, 2007 in Corpus
    Christi, TX. Also serves on the planning committee for the 2008
    training conference, in which the American Indian / Alaska Native
    Employee Association for NRCS (AIANEA) will partner with the Society
    of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) in June 2008 at
    Traverse City, MI.

-   Participated in a tribal responsibilities meeting January 17^th^
    with the Tribal Conservationist for the Meskwaki, Tama field office
    DC, Iowa Valley RC&D Coordinator, Area 3 AFO, and Area 5 AFO.
    Discussion included assistance that is being provided to the tribe,
    plans for future assistance, brief review of federal
    responsibilities in assisting tribes, NRCS tribal assistance policy,
    and training available.

-   Updated the AIEP brochure and provided to Jason Johnson for the
    website.

-   Participated in the Area 5 Civil Rights Compliance Review conducted
    at Iowa Valley RC&D in November 2006.

> **Outreach**

-   Providing assistance to Prairie Partners RC&D with a project to
    develop an American Indian cultural center near Twin Lakes in
    Calhoun County. Project partners met with the elderly woman that
    wants to establish the center in her husband's memory and to display
    his extensive artifact collection. Reviewed the Native American
    Graves Protection & Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) to determine the
    regulations are followed. Communicating with the Meskwaki and Iowa
    tribes to see if they have any issues with this and if they would
    like to partner in the project.

-   In January 2007, a female tribal member of the Meskwaki Nation
    became the first American Indian RC&D Council member in Iowa,
    serving the Iowa Valley RC&D.

> **SEPM Teleconference**

-   The SEPM's held a teleconference Dec, 15 to discuss plans for
    cultural education in the Areas, CR training at Area meetings, and
    recruitment. Tanya contacted the Area 4 AFO regarding development of
    an American Indian educational session in Area 4 during FY07. The
    SEPM's also developed strategies for recruiting at Iowa high schools
    and colleges. Due to the budget in FY07, our efforts will focus on
    making connections to set the stage for future recruitment.

-   Will prepare an article for the Crossroads of Diversity Newsletter
    to get to Rita Johnson in Rural Development for the May issue of the
    Crossroads of Diversity newsletter.

***Veterans/Disability Emphasis Program -- Judy Martinson***

> ***Communications***

-   Provided information to 2 employees on workplace accommodations

-   Updated DEPM website to include searchable database for reasonable
    accommodation information

-   Updated DEPM website to include forms needed for a reasonable
    accommodation request

> ***Outreach***

-   Ongoing: Provided work opportunities for autistic individuals
    through Homestead.

> ***Youth Activities***

-   October 4, 2006: Participated in Career Days. I accompanied 3
    disabled students from Des Moines to the Ankeny Field Office where
    Paul Miller took the student on a tour of an NRCS work site.

> ***Disability Awareness Month -- October & Veterans Day November 11,
> 2004***

-   Sent out the disability poster for disability month

-   Posted Awareness Month information on the DEPM and VEPM website

# Training

-   [\<]{.mark}January, 2007: Provided Reasonable Accommodation Training
    to Area 2

Bruce adjourned the meeting.