Pacific Islands Area CRAC FY2008 Business Plan

THE MISSION OF THE CRAC COMMITTEE IS TO ENSURE EQUITY IN AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT AND PROGRAMS.

MISSION Statement: The Committee will be committed to ensuring equity in all areas of employment and program delivery by identifying needs and making recommendations to the DEOO.

I. Communication

OBJECTIVE: Provide information regarding the CRAC to other NRCS employees.
GOAL 1 – Establish regular communication with National SEPMs and other state SEPMs.
GOAL 2 – Regularly inform immediate supervisors and DEOO of special emphasis activities.
GOAL 3 – Provide information to PIA employees of goals and activities of CRAC.

ACTION ITEM
Submit an article quarterly to current developments.
Regularly update the website. Each SEPM to provide information to Kurencio for their own pages.
Invite HR, PA, and Leadership to CRAC meetings when appropriate.
Initiate contact with National program managers and other state SEPM’s to share information.
CRAC quarterly meetings with one annual face-to-face meeting.
SEPM’s to submit travel report after attending a training conference.
Request that CRAC present information at the OPS meetings.

II. Working with Leadership

OBJECTIVE: Maintain a strong relationship with the DEOO and Leadership team.
GOAL 1 – Provide information to the DEOO on the opportunities for increasing diversity in NRCS PIA.
GOAL 2 – Assist with the planning and implementation of the Business Plan.

ACTION ITEM
Meet with the DEOO annually to conduct a performance review and discuss accomplishments and other issues involving the target group.
Each SEPM to submit an annual report on their accomplishments to Chair and immediate supervisor.
Assist HR with the preparation of the FY 2008 AEP.
Provide SEPM’s with questions to consider regarding the target groups.
Each SEPM to evaluate the DN-714 report and any other relevant sources and prepare a report on how to increase representation of target group.

III. Recruitment, Promotion and Recognition

OBJECTIVE: Advance NRCS as a fair employer and a fulfilling place to work.
GOAL 1 – Assist HR with recruiting qualified persons from target groups.
GOAL 2 – Provide training that will assist employees with their promotion goals.
GOAL 3 – Ensure that all employees are fairly considered and evaluated for recognitions and awards.

ACTION ITEM
Assist HR with compiling an email list for disseminating vacancy announcements.
Prepare information packet to distribute to potential job applicants.
Provide resources for field offices to use at local events that promote recruitment (e.g., farm fairs, Earth Day, etc).
Send a letter to Jolene offering to help organize and volunteer at career fairs.
Encourage and assist with the implementation of the mentoring program.
Evaluate how awards are distributed and provide recommendations to Management on how to improve the process.

IV. Outreach

OBJECTIVE: Increase the awareness of target groups in Hawaii of NRCS’ programs and services.
GOAL 1 - Increase the number of minority farmers that are served by NRCS programs including CTA.

ACTION ITEM
Discuss with the Assistant Directors how CRAC can help the field offices and RC&D supplement outreach.
Offer to provide training at an OPS meeting on preparing an outreach plan.
CRAC will offer awards to recognize civil rights efforts.

V. Projects

OBJECTIVE: Implement projects that promote cultural diversity and the mission of NRCS.
GOAL 1 – Publish a planner for NRCS employees that promotes cultural diversity.

ACTION ITEM
Submit photos and information to Jolene once planner is approved for funding.

VI. Youth Activities

OBJECTIVE: Encourage youth activities that promote conservation and agriculture.

GOAL 1 – Encourage offices to support child and youth education.

ACTION ITEM
Each CRAC member will organize a presentation at a school during Earth Week.
Encourage offices to participate in “Bring Child to Work Day” or “Career Shadowing” by bringing youth ages 12 and older to work for at least an hour or two or talking for a few minutes to youth that come to the office.

VII. Heritage Months

OBJECTIVE: Recognize and appreciate the contributions of target groups to our American society and to NRCS.
GOAL 1 – Encourage offices to support child and youth education.

ACTION ITEM
Each SEPM to plan at least one activity for their heritage month.

VIII. Training

OBJECTIVE: Ensure that NRCS employees are aware of the importance of cultural diversity and how it relates to their job performance.
GOAL 1 – Develop and disseminate training materials and resources to NRCS employees.
GOAL 2 – Participate in training for SEPMs.

ACTION ITEM
Request permission for each SEPM to attend their training conference at least every other year.
Encourage employees and supervisors to regularly update and complete items on their IDP.
List available training resources on the webpage.
Encourage employees to make a presentation at an employee training conference.
Suggest that a mandatory training be posted online on the award/merit system.
CRAC will obtain training on the award/merit system in order to be able to evaluate whether awards are being distributed fairly.

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $15,550.
Approval of FY2008 PIA CRAC Business Plan:
_______________________________________________
/s/
Lawrence Yamamoto, Director of Pacific Islands Area, Date: April 03, 2008

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