Diverse Advisory Committees Gather To Develop Greater Working Relationships

	Dillard Menchan answers questions from committee members during the EEO retreat.

"We are here because our Center Director wants us to make what is good even better," said Dillard Menchan, chief, Equal Opportunity Programs Office. The comments were made during his welcome address for the Equal Opportunity Advisory Committees Retreat held September 16 and 17 at the University of Maryland Conference Center, College Park, Md.

The two days of activity provided a forum for members of the Asian, Black, Women, People With Disabilities and Hispanic advisory committees at Goddard to spend time together to better understand their roles and responsibilities.

Activities for the retreat included presentations, discussions, team building exercises, and guest speakers to include the Center Director, and Dr. Harriett Jenkins, former associate administrator for Equal Opportunity Programs, NASA headquarters.

According to Menchan there were two major objectives for coming together. "We wanted to expose the different committees to the capabilities and resources available to assist each in providing solid recommendations to the Center Director about issues concerning their constituents," said Menchan. "Also, to have the committees interact with one another to be able to partner in the future with one another so they can leverage their strength and capabilities in areas of mutual concern."

Photos by: Chris Gunn/293
Dr. Harriett Jenkins speaks to committee members about their responsibilities.

Day One included a talk by Dr. Jenkins about the role and responsibilities of the advisory committees at Goddard. "You are the eyes and ears for the Center Director and the interface with other employees at Goddard," she told the group. "To be successful you must work with the Center management so that change can occur."

During her talk Jenkins presented four major action items for the five committees as mandated by the Goddard policy directive. They are to provide advice and recommendations to the Center Director in planning and implementing actions designed for the advancement of the constituent group. The groups are to contribute to Goddard's Affirmative Employment plan by developing action items to address barriers to advancement or recruitment. The committees are to provide a forum for employees and managers on constituent issues. Each committee should also serve as a focal point for the concerns of constituents on matters affecting their employment.

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