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John Carey (Asst. DUS) chaired the meeting which was called to order at 8:45am. Other attendees included: Al Corea (CR/OFA), Jesse James (NWS), Jim Martin (ONCO), Betty Dodds (NWS), Jerry Beat (CR/OFA), Carolyn Stiles (NMFS), Melanie Fields (OGC), Howie Friedman (OAR), John Jones (NWS), Barbara McNeil (SAO), Capt. Ted Lillestolen (NOS), Ibn Bailey (NMFS), Fiona Horsfall (NWS), Lisa Hiruki (NMFS), Carolyn Gurney (NWS), Natalie D.B. Smith (IRMS), Stephanie Jones (Diversity), Greg Withee (NESDIS), Louisa Koch (OAR), and Gloria Harris (HRMO/OFA).
John Carey conveyed apologies from Scott Gudes that he would be unable to attend the meeting because he was called to the Hill to present testimony. Al Corea then welcomed the attending council members. Al introduced Capt. Ted Lillestolen the new Deputy Asst. Admin. for National Ocean Service (NOS). From the audience, Mr. Eddie Ribas (HRMO) introduced Ms Fara Guest, newly hired Special Employment Coordinator. Al Corea went over the contents of the packet of information that was distributed to the Council. The information packet contained memoranda pertaining to recruitment for Collateral Duty EEO Counselors, Financial Assistance to "HBCU's" (which Al indicated would be addressed in more depth at a future council meeting), the Department of Commerce 1999 Post Secondary Intern Program, 1999 NOAA Faculty & Student Intern Research Program, and a memorandum from Jolene A. Lauria Sullens, Director, NOAA Budget Office, regarding FTE availability for Student Educational Employment Programs. Al asked that all questions regarding these programs be directed to his office.
*REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PAST COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
The Council reviewed the minutes of the Friday January 29, 1999 council meeting. A motion was entertained to accept the minutes as read. The motion was seconded, and by consensus vote of the council, the minutes were approved.
*DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN CONSORTIUM (METCON)
PRESENTATION
Mr. John Carey introduced Dr. Elbert Cox, Executive Director, METCON, Dr. LaWanda Peace of Howard University, and Mr. Jesse Berry, President, METCON, Howard University. Mr. Berry greeted the Council and expressed his appreciation for the past and continued support that NOAA has shown his organization. Mr. Berry then introduced Dr. Elbert Cox. Dr. Cox briefed the Council regarding the history of the METCON program, it's mission & vision statements, as well as METCON's future goals and objectives. Dr. Cox entertained questions and comments from the council. Al Corea suggested the possibility of METCON tapping into the NOAA listing of mentors to enhance their contact base. Dr. Peace mentioned the successful teacher training program that had been initiated by METCON in the past, as well as, the student program application and acceptance processes. Betty Dodds suggested using after school & alumni organizations to support the program. John Carey asked Greg Withee to comment on his past participation in the METCON program. Greg indicated that his organization continues to support and be involved in the program, but stated that he was interested in what happens to the students when they leave the program. Al Corea suggested that a possible follow up question on the next SFA questionnaire could address this concern. Dr. Cox concluded by thanking the Council for allowing him the opportunity to address them in this regard. Mr. Carey suggested that the Council readdress this issue at a future council meeting to ensure continued NOAA support.
* INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY PRESENTATION
John Carey introduced Bill Porter from the DOC's Office of Civil Rights. Mr. Porter addressed the council in regards to the recently enacted legislation and signed executive order concerning Electronic and Information Technology access laws and policies. Mr. Porter stated that Attorney General Janet Reno's office will be providing guidelines in this area of concern in the very near future. He further explained that Federal agencies and departments will then be required to report the status of their compliance with Title IV of the Civil rights Act and the Rehabilitation Act 1998 "as amended", Section 508. Mr. Porter introduced Mr. Ken Nakata, Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, whose office has been designated the lead agency in determining compliance issues for the Executive Order. Mr. Nakata presented a detailed overview of Section 508 of the Executive Order. Mr. Nakata indicated that all Federal departments and agencies must consider and comply with the Executive Order when procuring, disseminating, and/or developing Electronic & Information Technology based products or information. Mr. Nakata also indicated that Federal agencies and departments would be held liable for non-compliance, and could be subject to civil suits and administrative complaints. Complaints of this nature would be filed with an employee's EEO office. Mr. Nakata further explained that Federal Access Boards/Committee must develop standards of compliance in this regard by February 2000, and that after that date, all Federal departments and agencies must comply with the Executive Order. At this time, Mr. Porter interjected that his office is soliciting for members to serve on the Federal Access Board, and asked the Council to provide the Department's Office of Civil Rights with possible candidates. Mr. Porter gave his phone number and email address for that purpose (Phone 202-482-8190/Email Address W.Porter@doc.gov).
Mr. Nakata continued with his presentation and explained that all departments and agencies would be required to conduct a "Self-Examination" of their current Electronic & Information Technology accessibility status, and to report their findings to the Attorney General - who in turn - must submit a final report to the President by February 2000. The "Self-Examination" instructions are currently being reviewed by the Attorney General's Office and would be sent to all agency and department heads upon completion of the review. The deadline for submission of the agency and department reviews to the Attorney General's Office is set for June 1999. Mr. Nakata indicated that agencies and departments should document situations and instances of inaccessibility for their records in the event of questions or adverse actions. Al Corea asked Bill Porter if the Council could have Betty Dodds participate on the Federal Access Board. Mr. Porter indicated that the appointment of Ms Dodds to the Access Board would be most welcome. Mr. Porter explained that the Access Board has approximately half (or 13) members who have mobility and sensory disabilities. Mr. Nakata stated that the Dept. of Justice has tested the surveys, which would normally require 3 to 4 hours to complete. The Dept. of Justice is also currently looking into developing a method of electronically filing the surveys, as well as, developing a web page for this purpose. Mr. Nakata also provided useful resources on the World Wide Web relating to the issue of Electronic & Information Technology compliance, including the following:
Access Board = www.access.board.gov
Dept. of Education = http://ocfo.ed.gov/coninfo/clibrary/software.htm
Dept. of Justice = www.doj.gov
GSA (CITA) = www.itpolicy.gsa.gov/cita/index.htm
Trace Research & Dev. Ctr. = http://Trace.wisc.edu
Archimedes Proj. (Stanford Univ.) = http://www-csli.stanford.edu/rech/arch.html
Web Access Institute = www.w3.org/wai
San Jose WWW Page Access Standards = www.ci.san-jose.ca.us/oaacc/disacces.html
Center for Applied Special Tech. (CAST) = http://www.cast.org
Adobe Systems = http://access.adobe.com
Jesse James inquired of Mr. Nakata in regards to Electronic & Information Technology compliance issues and the international community and whether or not Federal agencies and departments must also comply with accessability issues concerning overseas dissemination of weather information, and products, etc. Mr. Nakata indicated that this was a good question, but could not offer any answers in this regard at this time. Carolyn Gurney stated that Canadian companies screen reading programs for visually impaired readers. Mr. Nakata indicated that the Canadian Government has been doing a lot of work in this area. Mr. Nakata concluded his presentation. Al Corea advised the Council that copies of Mr. Nakata's presentation would be available through the NOAA Civil Rights Office.
*SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES/PRESENTATIONS
Fiona Horsfall & Al Corea updated the Council on the Underrepresentation Subcommittee. Mr. Corea indicated that the committee was looking into ways of getting underrepresentative groups into our workforce, and also looking into why their leaving. The committee is in the process of developing an exit interview form to determine causes of attrition among targeted groups. Al indicated that the committee should be ready to share the exit form by the next meeting date. The committee was also looking into working with the Office of General Council to improve grants and contracts with minority serving institutions. Ms Horsfall and Al Corea indicated that the committee is putting together a "Tool Kit" that would be presented to schools in an effort to encourage minority and female students to work for NOAA. Ms. Horsfall made a brief slide presentation that was developed by her and Mr. John Guiney, which described NOAA and each Line Office's respective responsibilities. The presentation also displayed a listing of possible career opportunities within the NOAA, eg: biologists, meteorologists, oceanographers, NOAA Corps, etc. Ms. Horsfall also presented handouts, pamphlets, post cards, stickers, and maps that would heighten students' interest in NOAA. Al Corea provided each Council member with a "NOAA Storm Chasers" hardbound book designed for younger readers. The Council discussed budgeting and financial concerns regarding the material to be disseminated. Ms. Horsfall indicated that the committee is currently researching this area of concern. Howie Friedman made a brief presentation regarding a Tri-fold document/handout that could be also be used to heighten student and prospective employee interest. Mr. Friedman also suggested that the Office of Public Affairs be included in this endeavor. Lisa Hiruki stated that her office (NMFS) has been successful in getting Quick Action Grants to produce this type of information for public dissemination. John Carey stated that the Federal Fish and Wildlife Agency has a program that would match funding with our organization, and work in conjunction with us to produce information of this type for public dissemination.
Betty Dodds addressed the Council on the Disabilities Subcommittee. Ms Dodds indicated that her committee had their first meeting recently, and that the topics discussed included ongoing accessability issues, and suggested sensitivity training. Ms Dodds encouraged the Council and the Communications Subcommittee to continue with their investigation into developing a NOAA EEO Employee Handbook.
Jesse James addressed the Council on Communications Subcommittee developments. Mr. James indicated that the subcommittee had changes in its membership and had welcomed several new members. The committee is still continuing with it's work on developing a NOAA EEO organizational chart (infrastructure chart), publishing NOAA EEO information in current NOAA publications, and the developing a NOAA EEO Employee Handbook. Mr. James indicated that the committee would be meeting that afternoon with Mr. Tillman Peck, NOAA Civil Rights Office to review the NOAA EEO Website, and to possibly suggest modifications or recommendations for it's improvement/enhancement.
Mr. James mentioned that he had noticed an improvement in the standardization of NOAA e-mail communications, possibly as a result of NOAA's Office of Information Resources Management's recent efforts in the upgrading computer communications. Mr. James also suggested that the Council continue with the Line Office EEO Program managers presentations.
* OPEN FORUM
Fiona Horsfall asked if the Council would be acting on proposed recommendations presented by the subcommittees. The Council decided that the Council members would vote on issues that the subcommittees deemed important and necessary. Howie Friedman suggested that the Deputy Assistant Administrators issue preliminary notification memos in their respective Line Offices concerning new NOAA EEO website information. Louisa Koch suggested that the "responsible committees" prepare a memo for Deputy Undersecretary Scott Gudes' signature which would convey website significant changes, etc. Jesse James asked if the Council recruit a member from the Office of Public Affairs. John Carey indicated that he would relate the question to Scott Gudes. Jerry Beat provided the Council with a brochure on the upcoming HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities) 3rd International Conference on Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage to be held on April 6-8, 1999 at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, California. Mr. Beat encouraged participation. Dr. James Su provided the council with information pertaining to an upcoming National Conference of the Federal Asian & Pacific Islander Council. Al Corea indicated that he would establish the next NOAA EEO Council meeting date and issue an e-mail notifying all members. Al Corea announced to the Council that Jesse James' birthday was the following day (Saturday March 20, 1999). Mr. James was wished well by all.
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 pm.