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Multicultural Affairs Committee
Meeting Discussion
Elm Street Building
Jefferson City, MO
Oct. 3, 2001
Attendees (per sign-in sheet)
Jeff Jaquess**, Tanya Black**, Richard Gaffney*, Cynthia Bowser, Chris Buckland**, Patricia Pride, Ken Purvis*, Manley Lampkin, Clarice Morgan*, Kerry Cordray*
** MAC Officer, * Division Representative/Alternate
Co-chair Chris Buckland noted we did not have a quorum and called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. Since there was no quorum, the members present discussed the following items. Ken Purvis arrived after Kerry Cordray had already left.
Concerning different cultures: It was mentioned that some DNR employees are from Afghanistan and others practice the Muslim faith. These people feel concerned and pressured after the events on September 11, 2001. It was reported that in Utah, people were hurt and harassed because they looked different that other people. MAC members discussed having an open forum where people can bounce ideas and issues off each other and maybe talk to Valerie Johnson if they want to. Someone mentioned that some religious sects would feel uncomfortable talking to a female that was in a position of power.
Jeff Jaquess gave a Calendar Committee report. Mr. Jaquess said the calendars are being printed and would be distributed during October or November.
Tanya Black reported that MAC was on the agenda for the Executive Staff meeting on September 28, 2001. Ms. Black and Kevin Johnson attended the meeting on behalf of MAC. The executive staff would like to keep the diversity conference as a two-day event. Deborah Harris and Valerie Johnson said that people attending the conference will get credit, and it would be considered "training" that DNR managers and staff have to take. Bellwether Incorporated is a diversity-consulting group that has a contact with DNR already. Since Bellwether can help teach some of the diversity training sessions, that will save MAC money to hire other facilitators for the conference. It was suggested that MAC members get speakers from within the state of Missouri to help defray travel costs. Kenny Seeney, MAC officers and staff from the Director's Office will meet together with the people from Bellwether to discuss conference-training suggestions.
Ms. Black also mentioned that the Sensitivity training currently taught at DNR might be able to be combined with another MAC event. It was discussed that by executive staff that MAC and Bellwether have an International Food Festival, then have Bellwether talk about sensitivity issues afterwards.
The meeting adjourned at 2:07 p.m.
Mr. Jaquess recorded these discussion.
