NRCS New Mexico Civil Rights Advisory Committee By-Laws
Preamble
The CRAC performs the following roles:
Serves as an advisory body to the Deputy Equal Opportunity Officer / State
Conservationist (DEOO/STC), to promote and assist meaningful and effective
affirmative action consistent with the goals and objectives set forth by
management.
Provides employees and management a vehicle that enhances and fulfills their
equal employment opportunity and program delivery responsibilities.
Implements the CRAC responsibilities outlined in the NRCS General Manual
Title 230, Part 404 Civil Rights Advisory Committee, as amended, including, but
not limited to:
Providing feedback on the performance of Civil Rights program in general and
various implementation efforts (e.g. civil rights in program delivery and the
Affirmative Employment Plan), identifying areas of weakness, and making
recommendations for improvement.
Identifying emerging or problem areas potentially warranting special
attention from management.
Promoting the career employment and advancement of NRCS employees to maintain
a high quality diverse workforce.
Supporting other NRCS New Mexico civil rights roles and activities, including
the Special Emphasis Programs Managers (SEPMs), as determined by DEOO/STC.
Members of the CRAC will carry out their responsibilities consistent with
federal law, policies, procedures, and practices regarding employment and
program delivery in a non-discriminatory manner.
ARTICLE I Name
Section 1: Name
The name of this Committee shall be the USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service New Mexico Civil Rights Advisory Committee (CRAC)
ARTICLE II Purpose
Section 1: Authority
The purpose of the CRAC shall be to serve as an advisor to the Deputy Equal
Opportunity Officer (DEOO) of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The New Mexico State Conservationist (STC) is the Deputy Equal Employment
Officer for NRCS in New Mexico.
Section 2: Roles
The Committee shall advise the DEOO/STC in accordance with specific roles
outlined in the Preamble.
ARTICLE III Members
Section 1: Number of Members
The DEOO/STC shall appoint regular committee members and special emphasis
program managers (SEPMs), who together shall form the CRAC. The DEOO/STC shall
appoint seven regular committee members: two at-large-members members, and one
from each of the five administrative areas (currently including the State
Office, East Area, Northwest Area, Southeast Area, and Southwest Area).
Additionally, the DEOO/STC may name other individuals to the CRAC in an advisory
or non-voting capacity.
Section 2: Vacancies
Vacancies shall be filled as they occur. The CRAC shall advise the DEOO/STC
of vacancies, and the DEOO/STC shall determine membership.
Section 3: Diversity of Membership
The membership of the Committee shall (to the extent practical) consist of
representatives from all areas and the state office and SEPMs of minority and
non-minority groups, women, various grade levels, classification series, and
geographical regions within the state.
Section 4: Length of Terms
Regular committee members and SEPMs serve, at the discretion of the DEOO/STC,
an initial 3 year term with the option for reappointment of an additional 2
years, for a maximum 5 year term, except advisors whose length of term is at the
discretion of the DEOO/STC.
Section 5: Overlapping Terms
The members shall serve overlapping terms and may be extended / reappointed
at the discretion of the DEOO/STC so that no more than one-third to one-half of
the membership is replaced each year.
Section 6: Early Departures
In the event a Committee member leaves the Committee before serving a full
term, the procedure set forth in Article III, Section 2 will be used to fill the
vacancy for the length of the original term. Upon completion of the departing
individuals term, replacement members shall be eligible for “normal”
reappointment (2 years) or an additional (3 year) term.
Section 7: Beginning of Term
The term of membership shall begin at the first meeting of the fiscal year,
or at the first CRAC meeting following appointment, whichever comes first.
Section 8: Performance Appraisals
CRAC membership should be documented in each member’s official position
description. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) shall be signed by the
employee, the employee’s immediate supervisor, and the DEOO (refer to sample in
GM 230, Part 403, Subpart H (Exhibits)) recognizing the commitment involved in
CRAC membership. Employee’s contributions to the CRAC will be noted in their
individual performance appraisals and rated by the DEOO.
ARTICLE IV Officers
Section 1: Officers
The officers of the Committee shall be a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson.
Section 2: Eligibility
Although all committee members have voting privileges, SEPMs will not be
eligible to hold office.
Section 3: Selection of Officers
The DEOO/STC shall appoint the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.
Section 4: Term
Officers shall serve a 1 year term and shall be eligible for reappointment.
Section 5: Officers’ Duties
The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and the
parliamentary authority cited in Article VIII.
ARTICLE V Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meetings
Regular CRAC meetings shall be held once per quarter. The Committee
Chairperson in consultation with the DEOO/STC and Committee members shall set
the exact dates.
Section 2: Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson in consultation with the
DEOO/STC.
Section 3: Quorum
A simple majority (51%) of voting members shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI Voting
Section 1: Decisions
Except as otherwise specifically provided for in these bylaws, decisions
shall be reached by a consensus of the members at meetings in which a quorum is
present. Where a quorum is present and the chairperson determines a consensus is
unobtainable, a vote may be taken and a simple majority (51%) of those present
determining the decision.
Section 2: Proxy
Voting by proxy shall not be permitted except on votes pertaining to
amendment of the bylaws.
ARTICLE VII Removal of Members
Section 1: Removal of Members
All Committee members will attend meetings and conduct business on official
time and at government expense. The Committee can request a member be replaced
if two meetings are missed in any one year period, or a member resigns,
transfers, or retires or is otherwise separated from service. Removals shall be
at the discretion of the DEOO/STC.
ARTICLE VIII Parliamentary Authority
Section 1: Conduct of Proceedings
Proceedings shall be conducted according to current edition of Robert’s Rules
of Order, or a substitute source for rules of Parliamentary Authority decided
upon by the committee.
ARTICLE IX Amendment of Bylaws
Section1: Motions to Amend
Motions to amend these bylaws may be submitted by any voting member of the
Committee to the Chairperson.
Section 2: Decisions on Amendments
Decisions to amend the bylaws shall be reached by a consensus of the members
at a scheduled meeting in which a quorum is present.
Section 3: DEOO/STC Approval
All amendments to these bylaws are subject to the approval of the DEOO/STC.
Recommended: _____/s/_________________________ Date:
3/10/2006
Frank Casaus, Chairperson
Civil Rights Advisory Committee
Approved: _____/s/__________________________ Date:
3/10/2006
Rosendo Treviño III, DEOO
State Conservationist
Approved by unanimous vote of Civil Rights Advisory Committee, February 27,
2006 at New Mexico State Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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