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FY2008 PIA CRAC Committee 2nd Quarter Report

Subject: Pacific Islands Area (PIA) FY2008 Second Quarter CRAC Report Date: April 02, 2008
To: Lawrence T. (Larry) Yamamoto, DEOO; Joseph E. Hairston, Director, Civil Rights Division

Cc:  Pacific Islands Civil Rights Advisory Committee:

1. Athena Pratt-American Indian Program/Acting for Hispanic Program
2. Colleen Simpson-Federal Women’s Program
3. Michael Hashimoto-Disability Program
4. Cheryl Morton-Asian American/Pacific Islander Program
5. Dennis Kimberlin-Veterans Program
6. Eileen Winkle-Human Resources Manager
7. Kurencio B. Ngowakl-Chairperson Civil Rights Advisory Committee
8. Sherman White-Black Emphasis Program
9. Keith Harada-Ethics Advisor		File Code: EOP 230
 

The PIA CRAC committee started the 2008, calendar year with four Special Emphasis Program Managers. These emphasis programs were American Indian/Alaska Native Program, Athena Pratt; Disability Program, Michael Hashimoto; Asian American/Pacific Islander Program, Cheryl Morton and Black Emphasis Program, Sherman White. The other SEPM vacancies resulted as two Program Managers accepting CONUS positions and the term of the Veterans Program Manager expired. The DEOO generated PI bulletin: PI.230.8.1, Civil Rights Advisory Committee Vacancy Announcements and the call went out. In response to the bulletin, Colleen Simpson volunteered to serve as Federal Women’s Program Manager and Dennis Kimberlin volunteered as the Veterans Program Manager. We should have the Hispanic Program Manager filled in the very near future.

The PIA CRAC committee held its first teleconference for calendar year 2008, on February 07, 2008. Each SEPM gave an overview on progress of their special emphasis program. Athena Pratt (Indian/Alaska Native Program) reported to the committee that she requested for and was given 45 minutes to share with leadership team AEP information via teleconference on next PIA Ops meeting. The purpose of this is to promote an awareness of EOP to the leadership team.

The committee held its second teleconference for 2008, on March 13, 2008. Assignment was given to Colleen Simpson, Federal Women’s Program Manager to develop and conduct mandatory annual sexual harassment training. She will be assisted by CRAC Chairperson. All committee members agreed with the following:

1. SEPM’s Employee Organization’s Training Conference FY2008
    o Request conference training via SF-182.
2. Request Face-to-Face committee meeting at S.O. Hawaii, July, 2008.
3. Finalize FY2008 CRAC Business Plan for DEOO’s approval.
4. Role of Civil Rights Committee was emphasized by Chairperson. CRAC Committee DOES NOT accept complaints of discrimination. Information on filing a complaint can be found at:
    o EEO Complaint Process
    o Program Complaint Process
    o Contacting an EEO counselor is the first step in filing an EOO complaint.

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