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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
PORTLAND, OREGON
TITLE 1700 - CIVIL RIGHTS
R-6 Supplement No. 1700-93-1
Effective April 16, 1993
POSTING NOTICE. Supplements to this manual are numbered consecutively.
Check the last transmittal sheet received for this manual to see that the above
supplement number is in sequence. If not, obtain intervening supplement(s) at once
from the Information Center. Do not post this supplement until the missing one(s)
is received and posted. After posting, place the transmittal at the front of the title
and retain until the first transmittal of the next calendar year is received.
The last R-6 Supplement to this handbook was 1700-91-1 (1700 Zero Code).
Document Name
1700 Zero Code
Superseded New
(Number of Sheets)
8
9
Digest:
1704.21 - Adds Duties of Members to Article IV, adds the Regional Leadership
Team Representative as a non-voting member, expands the Submittal of Issue
Statements, and defines the date of expiration of member terms.
JOHN E. LOWE
Regional Forester
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FSM 1700 - CIVIL RIGHTS
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ZERO CODE
1704 - RESPONSIBILITIES
1704.21 - Regions, Stations, and Area.
Charter and Bylaws
1704.21 - Exhibit 01
R-6 CRAG CHARTER AND BYLAWS
I.
CHARTER
The Region 6 Civil Rights Action Group (CRAG) consisting of a cross section of
minority and non-minority employees shall function as an advisory committee
to the Regional Forester for the purpose of making recommendations for the
development of Regional policy concerning civil rights. In this role, the
committee will assist management in devising an effective affirmative civil
rights program for Region 6.
For this purpose, CRAG is authorized to consult technical specialists to gain
advantage of their advice, knowledge, and opinion. Consultation with unions
and bargaining unit employees shall adhere to the requirements of the Master
Agreement between the Chief and NFFE and be coordinated with
management's labor relations representative.
CRAG shall not serve as an official representative of any community or
employee organization that is oriented toward racial, religious, sex, or ethnic
groups but rather as persons interested in the civil rights of all employees,
inclusive of disabled employees. CRAG has as its specific charge the
facilitating of the Regional Civil Rights Affirmative Action Plan.
II.
BYLAWS
Article I: Name - The name of this organization shall be Civil Rights Action
Group (CRAG).
Article II: Function - In carrying out its responsibilities the committee shall:
A.
Provide input to the Regional Forester on matters related to the Civil
Rights program.
B.
Identify, recommend, and facilitate action on the Civil Rights
Affirmative Action Program areas.
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C.
Provide a channel of communication between management and all
employees. Each CRAG member is responsible for the diffusion of
information at their home units including the Forest CRAG.
1704.21 - Exhibit 01--Continued
D.
Serve as communication network within the Region for civil rights
issues.
Article III: Membership
A.
B.
C.
Procedure for Selection of Members
1.
At least three candidates shall be nominated to CRAG from each
Forest and the Regional Office. Composition of CRAG shall
include men, women, minorities, disabled, and the line
employees, with various series and grade levels represented.
2.
CRAG shall screen candidates for the purpose of maintaining a
balance in composition and recommend nominees to the Regional
Forester for final selection.
3.
Except for the chairperson, members shall serve 24
months and terms will begin and end at the fall meeting.
4.
New members shall be selected to replace the term of any
member who transfers, retires, or leaves the Service.
5.
Members may be removed for cause by two-thirds vote of the
members present. Grounds for removal shall include nonattendance at two consecutive meetings, not carrying out
assignments, and non-support of CRAG bylaws.
Voting and Non-voting Members
1.
Voting members of CRAG shall consist of one member from each
Forest, the Regional Office and one (1) PNW representative to be
selected by the Regional Forester/PNW Station Director. The
other voting members shall be the three Deputy Regional
Foresters.
2.
Non-voting members shall include the Director of Civil
Rights, the Director of Personnel Management, Servicewide Representative, the Regional Federal Women's
Program Manager, Equal Employment Opportunity
Specialist, one Regional Leadership Team Representative
and one (1) NFFE Representative.
Qualification of Members
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1.
Members must have knowledge of Forest, Region, and Servicewide affirmative action plans in addressing civil rights problem
areas.
2.
Members must be interested in interacting with people to arrive
at decisions and recommend solutions.
3.
Members must be familiar with the FSM 1700.
1704.21 - Exhibit 01--Continued
4.
Members must be familiar with the Regional CRAG Charter and
Bylaws.
Article IV: Officers Staff and Duties
A.
Selection of Officers
Members of CRAG shall elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and
executive secretary and historian. Except for the chairperson, officers
shall serve until the expiration of their term. The chairperson shall
serve for a period of one year or to the completion of their term,
whichever is greater. In the event the chairperson transfers to another
unit within the Region, they shall serve as a non-voting member until
the expiration of their term. The elected vice-chairperson shall serve as
chairperson-elect.
B.
Selection of Staff
FACILITATOR - Chairperson/Civil Rights Director will select meeting
facilitator to facilitate all meetings. Facilitator responsibilities shall be
for one (1) calendar year period. Selection of facilitator will be made
prior to CRAG's last meeting of the calendar year. Facilitator shall be
financed by Regional Office-Civil Rights.
C.
Duties of the Chairperson
1.
D.
The chairperson shall preside at all meetings, shall be responsible
for the orderly conduct of the meetings, and shall co-sign with the
Deputy of Administration on policy matters emanating from the
meeting.
Duties of the Vice-Chairperson
1.
The vice-chairperson shall assume all responsibilities of the
chairperson in their absence.
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E.
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2.
The vice-chairperson shall monitor meetings to assure the group
follows the Charter and Bylaws.
3.
The vice-chairperson shall keep track of interim assignments
during meeting.
Duties of the Executive Secretary
The executive secretary shall assist the chairperson in the internal
administration of committee business. The executive secretary shall:
(1) Receive and distribute meeting notes to all committee members,
Civil Rights Staff, Regional Forester, Deputy Regional Foresters, Forest
Supervisors, and Washington Office; (2) distribute meeting agenda to all
members of RO-CR staff.
1704.21 - Exhibit 01--Continued
F.
G.
Duties of the Historian
1.
Shall be responsible for the maintaining and up keep of
information, including but not limited to organizing, filing, and
referencing past issues, notes and past agendas.
2.
Shall be familiar with past issues and shall have access to
information at all CRAG meetings.
3.
Shall work closely with CRAG Officers in the dissemination of
information.
Duties of the Facilitator
Facilitator - shall be responsible for coordinating all meeting functions
as discussed with the CRAG Officers prior to meetings.
H.
I.
Duties of the Director of Civil Rights
1.
The Director of Civil Rights shall assist the chairperson in
developing each meeting's agenda.
2.
The Director of Civil Rights shall assist in facilitating over the
meeting when requested by the chairperson.
Duties of Members
1.
CRAG member shall work with the Forest Supervisor, line
officers and staff, Forest CRAG and SEPM's to identify issues,
and to develop and accomplish action items in the Forest
affirmative action plan.
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2.
CRAG member shall be available to employees to discuss civil
rights/affirmative action concerns and issues, and as appropriate
be an advocate for those issues at Regional CRAG meetings. For
local civil rights issues, CRAG member shall be an advocate for
them with Forest Supervisor, line officers and staff.
3.
CRAG member shall be familiar with the Regional CRAG
Charter, Bylaws, Operational Guidelines and FSH 1709.
4.
CRAG member shall actively prepare for and participate at all
scheduled CRAG meetings.
CRAG member shall serve on
Regional CRAG subgroups clarifying civil rights issues and
recommending solutions for them. CRAG member shall perform
other duties assigned by CRAG executive committee to
accomplish CRAG functions.
5.
CRAG member shall identify and discuss potential regional issues
with employees and SEPM's on home unit. These potential issues
shall be forwarded to the CRAG Chairperson at least 30 to 60
days prior to the next R6 CRAG meeting date. Upon receipt of
issues from other members, CRAG member shall research on
home unit utilizing SEPM's prior to the meeting.
Article V: Meetings
A.
The regular meetings of CRAG shall be held three times a year
in the fall, summer, and spring, for approximately three days,
depending on agenda items. If necessary, the chairperson may call a
special meeting with the Deputy Regional Forester of Administration for
approval. Any member of the committee may recommend to the
chairperson the need for a special meeting.
B.
All official meetings must have at least 14 voting members present.
C.
Decisions of the CRAG shall be based upon a majority vote of the voting
members present.
D.
The CRAG Chair, selected CRAG members and the Civil Rights
and Personnel Directors will meet three times annually with the
Regional Forester to discuss CRAG issues and concerns.
Article VI: Amendments
An affirmative vote of two-thirds is required to recommend addition to
or amendment of these bylaws; PROVIDED, such proposed additions or
amendments shall be reviewed by each member at least one month
before final action by CRAG. Addition and amendments proposed by the
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committee shall be in the form of a recommendation and require the
approval of the Regional Forester.
APPROVED:
/s/ Richard A. Ferraro, for
JOHN E. LOWE
Regional Forester
4/8/93
Date
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1704.21 - Exhibit 02
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
A.
B.
Travel Arrangements
1.
Travel management by members must be energy and cost
efficient. Efforts shall be made to coordinate and consolidate
travel and lodging.
2.
When motel reservations are made, identify the maximum
per diem rate. If necessary, request special travel
authorization to cover higher than normal costs.
Location of Meetings
Meetings for CRAG shall be conducted at locations within Region 6 to be
determined by the members of CRAG.
C.
Meetings
1.
The length of the meetings shall be determined by agenda.
2.
Because of energy conservation, meeting efficiency, and
cost/benefit to the Government, participation shall be limited to
only those people who are directly involved with civil rights
programs; for example, Special Program Managers, FWPM,
HEPM, NAPM, and so forth. Interested employees from hosting
forests are invited to attend meetings.
3.
If necessary, to cover agenda items, evening sessions shall be
scheduled.
4.
A time limit shall be established on agenda items.
5.
The chairperson and Director of Civil Rights shall establish the
agenda.
6.
Records of committee work shall be maintained using the servicewide format.
7.
The chairperson shall appoint two people at the beginning of each
meeting day to critique the meeting at the end of the day.
8.
CRAG members shall meet with the Regional Forester
three times a year to discuss committee work on current
issues.
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The hosting forest shall be responsible for arranging for lodging
and a meeting place, including paying for an extra charge for a
meeting room, and providing a non-member note taker for the
duration of the meeting.
1704.21 - Exhibit 02--Continued
D.
E.
Communications
1.
Informal information sharing process. It is intended that this be
an evening session for informal information sharing that would
be a part of the regular meeting agenda or it could be during the
normal working hours of the meeting.
2.
Improve new member orientation. This session provides an
outline of how the CRAG functions and how new issues are
introduced into CRAG, and an outline of issues CRAG has acted
on and that should not be reintroduced. Schedule orientation for
the first evening upon arrival at meeting location (will probably
be around 7:00 p.m.).
3.
Discussion and resolution of agenda items, as a minimum, are
those items that the representatives shall take back and discuss
with Forest Supervisor, Management Team, and employees on
the Forest.
Submittal of Issue Statements
1.
Potential issues shall be identified and discussed with employees
and SEPMs on home unit. If these potential issues are Regional
issues they shall be submitted on an "Issue Submission Form".
2.
Issues shall be submitted to CRAG chair no less then 30 days
prior to next meeting.
3.
Chair will forward issue statements to current members of
CRAG, no less than two (2) weeks prior to next meeting.
4.
CRAG members will research issues on their home units prior to
the meeting in conjunction with the SEPMs.
5.
At the CRAG meeting, the potential issue will be presented. A
small group may be assigned to work on the issue to arrive at
specific recommendations (who will accomplish what task by
what date).
6.
The small group will present the recommendation to the whole
CRAG committee for decision.
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1704.21 - Exhibit 02--Continued
F.
Amendments
An affirmative vote of two-thirds is required to recommend addition to
or amendment of these operational guidelines, PROVIDED, such
proposed additions or amendments shall be reviewed by each member at
least one month before final action by CRAG. Additions and
amendments proposed by the committee shall be in the form of a
recommendation and require the approval of the Regional Forester.
APPROVED:
/s/ Richard A. Ferraro, for
JOHN E. LOWE
Regional Forester
4/8/93
Date