Multicultural Affairs Committee

Minutes of Meeting

Elm Street Building
Jefferson City, MO
Aug. 24, 2000

Attendees (per sign-in sheet)

Tom Judge, Saundra Farrow, Clarice Morgan, Rachel Griffin, Terry Sheffield, Chris Nagel, Jannette Booker, Jeff Jaquess, Cynthia Bowser, Gail Conley, Bernard Thompson, Betty Ann Wehmeyer, Tanya Black, David Brothers, Bud Pratt, Crystal Johnson, Patricia Pride, Al Plummer, Zurett Merridith, Kenneth Seeney, Walter Pearson, G. Lawson Penny, Michael Warrick, Kenneth Purvis, Dan Schuette, Tom Kruse

The meeting opened at 1:00 p.m. with an introduction of this year’ MAC officers. Chairperson Tanya Black, Vice-Chairperson David Brothers, Secretary Terry Sheffield, Assistant Secretary Cynthia Bowser, and Budget Officer Betty Ann Wehmeyer.

Tanya Black announced that some of the buildings at Lincoln University will soon be under construction so we will need to look for other locations for the Diversity Conference next March.

The regular MAC meeting dates have been scheduled and are as follows:

Sept. 15, 2000, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Oct. 11, 2000, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Nov. 8, 2000, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Dec. 13, 2000, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

All meetings will be held in the Roaring River Conference Room, E. Elm St. Building, Jefferson City.

We have requested an operational budget of $13,000.00.

We have requested confirmation of representatives from DEQ and EIERA.

Terry Sheffield read the July 5, 2000, meeting minutes. There was a motion to approve the minutes as read. Motion seconded and voted to approve.

Ms. Black announced there would be a timekeeper appointed at each meeting to keep the discussions on time and on topic. David Brothers was appointed as this meeting’ timekeeper.

Al Plummer with the Office of Administration was introduced as the facilitator for this meeting, which is a continuation of the July 5, 2000, meeting. Mr. Plummer asked us to look at the comments of the July meeting, and compare those to the direction of MAC as agreed upon in that meeting. Discussions were as follows:

In order to clarify where minority issues fit, it was determined those issues should be integrated into all three categories – Assisting with Recruiting and Retention, Education/Information, and Advisory.
Under the Advisory section, it was agreed to include "Participate in strategic planning."
All agreed that "retention" should be in a more prominent position under the heading of Recruiting and Retention.

After having breakout sessions to discuss the three categories of MAC’ direction, the following roles and plans were put forth:

ASSIST WITH RECRUITING AND RETENTION:

MAC will assist and support Human Resources Program on opportunities for promotion for underutilized groups
MAC will support the recruiter in areas of job class underutilization – form a recruitment/retention subcommittee
MAC will provide culturally sensitive persons for service on interview panels:
1. will develop personnel list for interview panel
2. will promote the use of the interview panel list
3. will recruit volunteers for personnel list
4. will support Human Resources Program and recruiter in managing list
5. will provide members for events (career fairs, expo’, etc.)
MAC will take the lead in developing a mentorship program

EDUCATION/INFORMATION:

Diversity Conference:
1. make executive staff aware of conference outcome and value
2. improve and increase resources for conference
Define MAC and create orientation materials:
1. update information
2. include information in new employee packets
3. have MAC members do brief presentation at new employee orientation
Outreach – Internal/External:
1. look at MAC Web page on intranet and choose info to put on internet
2. MAC members participate in career fairs, expo’, etc.
Training:
1. work with Human Resources Program to develop diversity training with outside contractor
2. conduct follow-up with participants of training to evaluate success of diversity course to determine future needs

ADVISORY:

Strategic Planning
1. get MAC representative on strategic planning committee, both for divisional and departmental segments
Review, comment, and draft policies
1. budget, sexual harassment, personal policies, discrimination
2. MAC chair will be part of Employee Advisory Council

After discussion and consensus regarding MAC’ direction, Mr. Plummer was applauded for his facilitation of our meetings.

Jeff Jaquess passed out minutes from the April 27, 2000, meeting.

Kenny Seeney asked for design ideas for MAC’s Women’ Poster.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:17 p.m.

These minutes were recorded by Terry Sheffield, secretary.