Multicultural Affairs Committee

Minutes of Meeting

Elm Street Building
Jefferson City, MO
Nov. 8, 2000

Attendees (per sign-in sheet)

Bernard Thompson, Bonnie Higdon, Bud Pratt, Clarice Morgan, Crystal Johnson, Cynthia Bowser, David Brothers, G. Lawson Penny, Jannette Booker, Jeff Jaquess, Ken Purvis, Kevin Johnson, Manely Lampkin, Patricia Pride, Rachel Griffin, Richard M. Gaffney, Robert Clay, Robert Mesa, Steven Wyatt, Tanya Black, Tom Cabanas, Tom Judge, Valerie Johnson

Tanya Black called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. Black handed out the meeting agenda and a Columbia Missourian, Oct. 3, 2000, newspaper article about "Confederate flag on marker stirs debate."

Jeff Jaquess read minutes from the Sept. 15, 2000, Sept. 29, 2000, and Oct. 10, 2000, meetings. Corrections to the Sept. 15, 2000, minutes included removing a persons name who asked "A question was raised about where MAC monies come from." Approval motion to accept minutes made by Bob Mesa and seconded by G. Lawson Penny.

Crystal Johnson reported that $88.88 had been spent from the MAC budget to pay for food for the Sept 29, 2000, meeting.

Black will try to find somebody to pay MAC expenses. SAM II knowledge is necessary for whoever accepts this job. Penny made a motion, and it was seconded by Bud Pratt to have the director's office liaison (Valerie Johnson) via the executive staff ask the department director to appoint a division (either DGLS, DEQ, DSP, DAS, EC) with a person knowledgeable in SAM II to pay MAC bills. During discussion of the above motion, Black mentioned that she has already asked a division for help. The executive staff asked Black to try and find a volunteer to pay MAC bills and, if she was unable DAS would appoint someone from its shop to this task. The motion was voted on and approved.

The policy review subcommittee has not met yet, but Patricia Pride said it would meet soon. Crystal Johnson reported that the budget subcommittee has not met yet. Jaquess read the minutes and purpose of the MAC calendar subcommittee meeting on Nov. 1, 2000. Kevin Johnson gave a report on the bylaws subcommittee meeting held on Oct. 30, 2000. Kevin Johnson will send out a electronic copy via E-mail and let MAC members review and give changes back to him before the Dec. 10, 2000, meeting. David Brothers reported on the policy review subcommittee meeting held on Nov. 7, 2000. At that meeting, there was much discussion, and they will need more meetings. The subcommittees need to have the "purpose" statements so they can be incorporated into the bylaws.

There was discussion and a vote to merge the subcommittees, reducing the number from thirteen to seven. Black listed the new subcommittees:

  1. Planning and Implementation Goals
  2. Membership, Food Festival, Brown Bag lunches
  3. Retention, Recruitment, Public Relations
  4. Calendar
  5. Diversity conference
  6. Policy Review
  7. Historical Archives

Black discussed interview panel procedures. After initial discussions with the immediate supervisors, the ultimate approval authority for a person to serve on an interview panel will be the division director. There was discussion about providing a list of MAC of members that have agreed to serve on interview panels. Valerie Johnson provided input to the discussion and said in some cases it is recommended to have a minority on an interview panel so that the interviewee feels comfortable. It was suggested that this topic be brought before the executive staff at a later date.

The fourth Annual Diversity Conference has been set for March 20-21, 2001, at the Jefferson City Ramada Inn. The Director's Office signed the contract last week.

Black handed out the budget for the diversity conference and the regular MAC budget. She asked that members review and have any suggested changes ready to present at the next meeting.

There was discussion about the MAC awards criteria. Items mentioned included the following:

  1. Program policies that are sensitive to multicultural issues.
  2. Individuals involved in multicultural items and diversity issues both inside and outside of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
  3. Community service awards.
  4. Recruitment award for going to schools, expos, events and representing Missouri Department of Natural Resources and MAC.
  5. Mid and upper management award.

The MAC will try to vote on the awards at the Dec. 10, 2000, meeting.

There was discussion on the MAC Minority Literacy Scholarship. It is believed that Human Resources is in charge of the scholarship now. Penny suggested that MAC have Wilma Partee or her representatives report on it at a future MAC meeting.

Penny made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded. The meeting ended at 2:45 p.m.

These minutes were recorded by Jaquess.