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UPCOMING EVENTS:

The committee had a meeting via teleconference on August 5, 2004 at 10:00 AM CDT to discuss diversity training of MSA staff and to plan future course of action for the committee.

Taking the show on the Road .   The Committee prepared a detailed plan on a 2-hour mandatory training session to be held at each MSA location between January 2004-March 2004 which would include presentations to highlight the significance of building a diverse workforce, and the items and tools that the MSAWDC has developed to facilitate the recruitment, retention and assimilation of a diverse workforce in MSA as well as in ARS. A summary of the discussion on the format of the training session (The Road Show) is as follows:

•  After significant deliberations it was determined that the program needed to be at least two hours long for adequately, yet basically, covering the topics of interest outlined below:

•  Presentations to include the following items:
Provide each attendee with a short narrative on each topic to be covered)

1.   Introduction                (10 min)
2.   Why Diversity              (15 Min)
3.   Video                         (15 Min)
4.   Recruitment                (20 Min)
5.   Break                         (10 min)
6.   Retention                    (15 Min)
7.   Assimilation                 (15 Min)
8.   Q&A                           (20 Min)
(Time permitting, add a fun activity)

B. Details of Items to be covered in each presentation

1. INTRODUCTION

(Provided by any one of the following:   Dr. King/Dr. Brennan/Archie/as well as Location-in change)            

a. MSA Workforce Diversity committee - (membership and purpose)
•  ARS/MSA significance to diversity (Moral, practical and why?)

2. Why Diversity (Guest speaker would be helpful!)

a. Definition of Diversity
b. Differences from Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity
c. Personalize the issue of diversity by practical examples

3. Video to reinforce item #2 (such as Tale of "O")

4. Recruitment

a.Emphasize that current ARS employees are important in this effort
- best ambassadors (present survey results)
- at stake is the future of ARS

b. Provide to employees the tools for bringing in diversity
     •  List of locations within MSA for recruitment
     •  Scientific Societies for recruitment
     •  Emphasize Benefits of Federal Employment
     •  Introduce recruitment literature prepared by
        MSAWDC (+ ARS website/MSAWDC website)
     •  Identify handout of Activities for ARS employees
        (provided by ARS Recruitment office)
     •  Emphasize significance of Science Fairs

5. Retention

a. Emphasize opportunities for growth (when you are doing your job)

b. Educate on incentives
     •  Use of IDP
     •  Monetary/non-monetary awards (provide details)
     •  Provide, honestly, limits of current position and preparations for other opportunities (www.employer-employee.com)

6. Assimilation

a. Provide examples of effective ways to do this
     •  concentrate on similarities/common goals
     •  take advantage of differences
     •  celebration of diversity; such as through diversity day etc.

(2) The following items will be delivered to each location for future use:

1. ARS/MSA Posters
2. ARS/MSA Brochures (English/Spanish)
3. MSA Research Booklet
4. ARS Recruitment literature (from Cecilia's office)
5. Other handouts prepared by the Committee
6. Science Fairs List/Certificates and Gifts
7. List of recruitment opportunities

(3) The following individuals have tentatively opted to participate in the presentations at the designated MSA locations (to have enough manpower to do the job as well as to cover the topics for presentations).

(Others to be added)

Objectives

Committee

Activities

Suggestions