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Minority and Justice Commission
Meeting Minutes
Workforce Diversity Sub-Committee
Conference Call Minutes
October 20, 1999
4:00 PM
Judge Deborah D. Fleck, Chairperson, Presiding
Call to order
The conference call was called to order by Judge Deborah D. Fleck at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Persons participating in the meeting were: Judge Deborah D. Fleck, Ms. Kazzie Katayama, Ms. Madelyn Botta, Ms. Lourdes Fuentes, Tony Orange, Kenneth Payson, Jeffrey A. Beaver, Ms. Mary I. Yu, and Ms. Donna V. McConnell.
Persons not participating (with excused absences) were: Judge LeRoy McCullough, Judge Richard A. Jones, Guadalupe Gamboa, Jeffrey C. Sullivan, Judge Karen B. Conoley, Robert C. Boruchowitz, David J. Della, Ms. Kim M. Eaton, and Ms. Terry Mark.
September 24, 1999 Meeting Minutes
Judge Deborah D. Fleck asked the Workforce Diversity Subcommittee for an approval of the September 24, 1999 minutes. The subcommittee approved by common consent.
Fall 2000 Speaker
Judge Fleck reported to the Workforce Diversity Subcommittee that there was no additional information on the invitation to Governor Parris N. Glendening, State of Maryland to speak at the fall 2000 Judicial Conference.
Computerized Resource Directory
Ms. Donna V. McConnell reported to the Workforce Diversity Subcommittee that the Administrator for the Courts (OAC) computer support personnel had recommended using Microsoft Access database software for the directory project and that over 200 entries have been made to the database. A news release has been prepared and mailed to statewide media by the OAC public information office announcing the project and inviting entries. Ms. McConnell will also prepare a letter to send to community organizations and agencies that were listed in the last two directories.
The Workforce Diversity Subcommittee discussed setting up search parameters and filters to select among fields such as geographic location and ethnicity. Kenneth Payson explained the user-friendly aspects of a web-site of which he is familiar wherein such parameters are used. Judge Fleck asked Mr. Payson if he would be willing to work directly with the OAC webmaster on the development of additional filters and search categories. Mr. Payson agreed.
Employer Education on Recruitment and Retention
Judge Fleck re-stated the Workforce Diversity Subcommittee on the goal of developing a "hard copy recipe" courts could follow to assist them in further diversifying the workplace, hence the recruitment and retention notebook project. Judge Fleck and Ms. McConnell reported on a letter to select faculty department chairpersons of the Washington public baccalaureate institutions to invite their help via interagency agreement or conversation to assist the subcommittee in reaching its goal. Ms. McConnell will receive the responses from interested parties.
Employment Opportunities Presentation
In the absence of Judge LeRoy McCullough and Judge Richard A. Jones, there was no report on the court system employment opportunity activity for high school students.
Expanding the Definition of "Workforce"
Judge Fleck will work with Commission Technical Support member José Gaitán on previous discussions they have had on the fair remuneration process.
Minority Bar Information Distribution
Judge Fleck referred the Workforce Diversity Subcommittee to item number six of the July 23 minutes, titled "Minority Bar Information Distribution." The subcommittee discussed the establishment of liaison positions between minority bar associations with the Minority and Justice Commission. An established communication and distribution relationship between the minority bar associations and the Minority and Justice Commission could:
- Aid in the invitation of members belonging to various bar associations to
participate in Commission membership and activities.
- Increase the distribution of job announcements to diverse populations.
- Begin a generic information exchange.
Judge Fleck led a discussion on posting court system job announcements on the Minority and Justice Commission web-site. A question arose about what individuals or entities would be eligible to post job announcements and links to city and county human resources departments.
The subcommittee continued a discussion of various methods to collaborate with bar associations and establish liaison relationships. One idea was continue including bar association contact information on the Minority and Justice Commission web-site. Judge Fleck asked Mr. Payson and Mr. Beaver to continue their work on this project.
Commission Web-Site/Job Announcements
The Workforce Diversity Subcommittee revisited the resource directory and Commission topic and how to keep web-site job announcement information current. The subcommittee analyzed the possibility of using a "button link" in which web-site visitors are linked to a specific site by selecting an icon. A concern was expressed as to the time and cost of the development of this format. Judge Fleck asked Ms. McConnell if she would ask Ms. Virginia Neal if it is possible to create a filter, and search parameters that could automatically find specific sites. The subcommittee also analyzed an alternative method, which would be to develop and post a list of human resource department links. There was a concern about the lack of current information provided this way, since the web-site would be updated on a quarterly basis. Judge Fleck proposed that Ms. McConnell suggest a process to compile addresses and postings, and to look into the possibility of hiring someone to keep the list current. Ms. McConnell agreed. The Workforce Diversity Subcommittee agreed, by common consent, to invite Ms. Virginia Neal, OAC Webmaster to the next conference call.
Electronic Bulletin Board
The subcommittee questioned whether to develop a bulletin board for posting job announcements to the web-site. Ms. McConnell will ask Virginia Neal. Mr. Beaver and Mr. Payson agreed to work together on creating a complete list of minority and specialty bar associations.
Law Clerk Extern Program
Judge Fleck led the Workforce Diversity Subcommittee in a discussion about a segue for law clerks into the judicial system. Judge Fleck mentioned that at a previous meeting, Commission member Judge James M. Murphy suggested the use of externs. Judge Fleck proposed contacting various courts and law school deans to identify a program model similar to one in use at Gonzaga University. Judge Fleck will contact Judge Bobbe Bridge and will speak with law school deans regarding the use of externs. Ms. Madelyn Botta will contact Gonzaga for specifics on their extern program.
Summer Commission
Judge Fleck asked the Workforce Diversity Subcommittee for feedback on the July 23rd Workforce Diversity Subcommittee meeting. The subcommittee agreed that the meeting successfully served to focus and direct priorities of the subcommittee.
Next Meeting
The subcommittee agreed to hold its next meeting at 10 o'clock in the morning prior to the next full commission meeting. (Judge Fleck asked Ms. McConnell to set up a lunch for next meeting.) Until then, the subcommittee will communicate via e-mail/LISTSERV. Ms. McConnell will arrange a LISTSERV.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 in the afternoon.
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