April 7, 2005
Follow up on Elections
Jay previously sent out an email notice to the membership naming those
interested in serving as officers. No additional nominations were received by
email or otherwise.
Maria volunteered to serve as Secretary, replacing Mary Wadding who indicated
that she would step aside if another candidate was interested in the position.
Jerry moved to accept the proposed slate, and by unanimous voice vote, the slate
was elected.
The 2005 officers are:
President: Ike Kelley
Vice president: Jerry Bock
Secretary: Maria Wiseman
Treasurer: John Haugh
Fed GLOBE Rep: Jay Douglas
June Pride Planning
The Civil Rights Office is planning the event. Unlike previous years, no bureaus
are responsible for the planning. Sylvia Jones is the primary contact.
The current procedure of the Civil Rights Office is to consider three names for
keynote speaker. Jerry submitted three names by email to Sylvia, but indicated
that Representative John Lewis remains our first choice. Kathleen Wheeler and
Sharon Eller agreed to John Lewis during discussions last year following the
failure of the Department to hold a 2004 June Pride event. There has been no
confirmation that Rep. Lewis has been accepted. GLOBE has questions, which Jerry
will take up with Sylvia, about the speaker approval process which is now in
place, including who must provide final approval and must all special emphasis
groups go through similar procedures. [Ed. Note: the Department has subsequently
approved Congressman Lewis, and an invitation has been extended.]
There was a discussion about how the choice of keynote speaker may influence the
size of the audience. Rep. Lewis would likely attract a large, diverse group of
DOI employees.
It was noted that there is a perception that June Pride events do not attract
sizeable employee participation. However, the 2003 event drew approximately 80
participants. Which is relatively large compared to some Departmentally
sponsored events.
Other issues relating to June Pride that GLOBE may be called on to provide
input: additional speakers and event participants, refreshments, and a candle
lighting ceremony. Jerry will talk to Sylvia about the location of the candle
holders and rainbow flag.
A date for the event has not been set, and may be dependant on Rep. Lewis’
availability. The South Interior auditorium may be under construction. If so,
Yates Auditorium or the Rachel Carson Room may serve as an alternate site.
It was noted that a high level Departmental official usually speaks at special
emphasis events. In 2003, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and
Workforce Diversity, Mike Trujillo, introduced Rep. Barney Frank as keynote
speaker. Officials from the NBC and the Bureau of Reclamation also spoke at the
event. It was suggested the Acting Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlet speak at this
event. She spoke at the 2003 World AIDS day remembrance. It was also suggested
that Sharon Eller be mistress of ceremonies because she did a great job in the
same position for the 2004 World AIDS Day remembrance.
GLOBE would like to present the New Millennium Award at this year’s event. A
nomination was made at the meeting, and a separate email will be sent out
identifying the current nominee and her qualifications, and requesting
additional nominations. Jerry will draft a short statement on the current
nominee’s accomplishments.
Last year’s awardee, the USGS Equal Opportunity Office, had been chosen and
notified prior to the 2004 June Pride celebration. However, because no event was
held, the award was not given out. A motion was made, and by unanimous vote, it
was agreed that both the 2004 and 2005 awards be given out at this year’s event.
Ike and John Szemraj will draft a write up of the USGS’ accomplishments.
Sylvia has said that GLOBE can use the special emphasis display case in the
cafeteria during the month of June. It was suggested that a display include the
Capital Pride Theme or a theme including ex-Interior employee Walt Whitman that
would tie into the current local interest in his life.
It was suggested that GLOBE members meet for a social lunch during June as they
have done in the past. Maria will coordinate.
It was suggested that other agency GLOBEs should be invited to Interior’s event
to help coalition building.
Miscellaneous Matters
Ike will send out the notes to the membership from the March 30th GLOBE retreat.
Another meeting to follow up on the issues discussed at the retreat will be held
on May 5th. At that meeting, the list of action items will be prioritized and
implementation plans will be discussed. [Ed. Note: minutes of that meeting are
being issued immediately after these.]
John Szemraj noted that the Special Emphasis Diversity Days will be held at
Reston on June 7th or 8th. It was suggested that GLOBE members attend the event
as a group as part of its June Pride events.
Jerry noted that the Connecticut legislature is preparing to pass legislation
creating civil unions in that State.
Revised: 10/03/08