Minority Affairs Committee Early History
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A Historical Perspective -- Part I
1979-1980
ED NEWS NSEA Board of Directors Minutes - November 3, 1979:
Minority Involvement Plan
Patricia Brown of Lincoln, Chairperson the Ad Hoc Committee on the Minority Involvement Plan, explained the report which had been sent to the Board. She explained the committee's belief that the greatest problem with minority involvement in Nebraska seems to be at the local level. Therefore, they devised a plan that would benefit the general membership rather than minorities, specifically, and involves encouraging minorities to participate in existing programs rather than setting up special programs.
Motion (Kaldahl/Pester) to approve the Minority Involvement Plan.
Discussion centered around funding of 20 minority Delegates to the Annual NSEA Leadership Conference, included in the plan. Griess explained that Local Associations would be encouraged to pay mileage for their Delegates, and all other costs would be absorbed in the regular conference budget.
Question called. Vote on question affirmative.
Kaldahl motion put and carried.
ED NEWS NSEA Board of Directors Minutes - December 8, 1979:
Minority Affairs Council
President Duffy announced appointment of a Minority Affairs Council, consisting of two each of First Americans, Black, Hispanics, and Asian Americans as follows: Patricia Brown of Lincoln, Chairperson; Jennie Gutierrez of Lexington, Vice-Chairperson; Pam Miyahara of Omaha, Secretary; Carvie Erwin of Omaha; Rose Martinez Bindschadler of Gering, Albert Cuellar of McCook; Walta Sue Dodd of Omaha; Hollis Stabler of Macy; Linda Garcia of Ogallala; Dennis Chin of Bellevue; and Judy Gitt of Fremont.
Motion (Higuchi/Urwiller) to accept these nominees as the Executive Committee for the Minority Affairs Council.
Carried without a dissenting vote.
ED NEWS NSEA Board of Directors Minutes -- March 29, 1980:
Minority Action Program
Loretta Johnson, representing the Omaha Black Caucus appeared before the Board to appeal the lack of selection of an Omaha Black Caucus member to attend the NEA Minority Conference to be held in Denver in April. She urged the Board to reconsider the names selected. She reported the OEA Black Caucus submitted four names to the State Minority Action Committee, none of who were selected.
Duffy explained that the MAC was allocated funds to pay transportation for four people to attend, and the MAC Chairman exercised her prerogative in their selection. Duffy added that the OEA Black Caucus was notified they could send participants at NEA expense, except that they would have to pay their own transportation.
MAC Staff Consultant Jim Griess explained that the four selected were MAC Executive Committee members, selected because they are responsible for planning the forthcoming leadership session. He also clarified that the initial MAC State Committee was appointed to establish a Minority Involvement Program, and that elections will be held at the Kearney Leadership Conference for a new MAC.
Johnson noted that none of the four selected were members of the OEA Black Caucus, which is recognized by and affiliated with the NEA, and represents the largest segment of ethnic minorities in Nebraska. She expressed the belief that as such, they should be represented at the Denver Regional Planning Conference. She further contended that the MAC Committee was not authorized to make these selections because they were appointed, not elected.
Motion. (Arnold/Higgins) to provide plane fare to send a representative of the OEA Black Caucus to the Denver Regional Meeting.
Higuchi pointed out that MAC is an independent affiliate of the NSEA, and that it would be a mistake for the Board to overrule its actions. He added that MAC was established on an appointive basis to initiate a Minority Involvement Program in Nebraska, and that a realignment of the program and elections could be held at the Kearney Leadership Conference to establish future procedures and guidelines.
Motion (Higgins/Shankland) to amend to provide an additional $200 to the State MAC budget so they may, if they choose, send a member of the OEA Black Caucus to the meeting in Denver. Motion lost.
Arnold motion put and lost.
Pester urged that the Black Caucus present their request to the OEA. Thies state that the recommendation from the OEA, since the Caucus is not an official affiliate of the NSEA.
Ms. Johnson thanked the Board for consideration of her request.
1980-1981
Referenced in the April 16, 1981, ED NEWS, the Delegate Assembly took action which revised the NSEA Policy Handbook to include the present structure and format of the NSEA Minority Affairs Committee. Pat Brown from Lincoln is recognized as the Chairman of the NSEA Minority Affairs Caucus.
1981-1982
ED NEWS, February 18, 1982, Committee Reports:
Minority Affairs Committee
Pat, Brown, Chairman
The NSEA Minority Affairs Committee held its second annual meeting at the Kearney Leadership Conference. Thomas Christie of Lincoln and Dr. J. S. Johar of Wayne were elected serve on the Executive Committee. Rose Bindschadler of Gering and Hollis Stabler of Walthill were later re-appointed by NSEA President Ron Houser.
The Executive Committee met at NSEA Headquarters on December 5. Goals for 1981-1982 were identified . . .
1, To continue to encourage minority involvement in local and state associations.
2. To continue publication of the NSEA / MAC Newsletter.
3. To continue to provide funding for minority delegates to attend Kearney Leadership Conference.
4. To increase (minority)involvement at Leadership Conference by sponsoring sectionals and suggesting minority leaders as presenters.
5. To continue to provide funding for NSEA members to attend the NEA Regional MIP (Minority Involvement Program) Seminar.
6. To continue to provide funding for five delegates to the NEA Pre-Conference Minority Conference.
7. To continue to provide funds for one delegate to the NEA Human & Civil Rights Conference.
8. To submit the names of MAC members Jennie Gutierrez, Carvie Erwin and J.S. Johar for nomination to the Nebraska Council on Teacher Education.
1982-1983
ED NEWS, February 24, 1983, from the February 12, 1983 Board Minutes:
MAC
Chairman Pat Brown reported that one of the goals of the Minority Action Committee is to improve communications between MAC and the Board of Directors. Hence: monthly reports to the board. She explained the background of establishment of MAC in 1979, and identified goals -- one of which is increased participation of minority members in association work through leadership training. She distributed copies of the MAC Newsletter and reported on activities and plans.
ED NEWS, May 19, 1983
In an article regarding NSEA Goals and Objectives the following goal was presented for NSEA membership consideration:
Goal V:
Human & Civil Rights
A. Provide, in the annual association activities, training opportunities for ethnic minority members that will result in increased involvement in the association by those members.
B. Provide activities that help members promote student awareness of human and civil rights.
C. Provide members with training programs in multi-cultural education that will result in increased use of such programs in the schools.
D. Initiate and maintain relationships with human and civil rights organizations.
E. Implement a defense system for members who are victims of discrimination.
F. Provide assistance to affiliates in the implementation of affirmative action plans.
G. Provide activities that promote member awareness of human and civil rights.
1983-1984
NSEA VOICE -- Delegate Assembly Issue, March 15, 1984
Minority Affairs Committee
Patricia Brown, Chairperson
The NSEA Minority Affairs Committee continues to work toward increased involvement of ethnic-minority members of NSEA. The executive committee has identified two major areas of concern, and has suggested activities or programs to deal with these concerns . . .
1. Communication . . .
A. A mailing list of ethnic-minority members of NSEA is maintained.
· Computer listings are used.
· Local presidents are asked to identify ethnic-minority members.
B. Special mailings for elections, leadership training and other leadership opportunities are sent to ethnic-minority members.
C. A bi-annual newsletter, ‘NSEA/MAC News' is sent to ethnic-minority members.
D. Regular reports of activities are given to the NSEA Board of Directors.
2. Leadership . . .
A. Funding is provided for various leadership training opportunities available for ethnic-minority members
.
· Kearney Leadership conference
· NEA Regional Minority Involvement Programs
· NEA Conference on Human & Civil Rights
· NEA Pre-Convention Minority/Women's Conference
B. MAC co-sponsors NEA Level I Minority Training at Teacher's Convention with the OEA Black Caucus.
C. Sectionals are sponsored or suggested at Kearney Leadership Conference by MAC for all NSEA members.
The commitment of NSEA / MAC to provide leadership training, and increase the level of participation of ethnic-minority members, is a commitment to strengthen the leadership of NSEA.
NSEA VOICE March 29, 1984, March 10-11, 1984 Board Minutes
MAC
Chairperson Pat Brown reported that the Minority Action Committee . . .
Is strongly committed to three items: leadership training for minority members; improved communication among MAC members and the total Association; and increased participation of minority members.
· Has committed to do a better job of recruiting minority delegates to the Leadership Conference.
· Has suggested that a sectional be offered at Leadership Conference on how local associations can involve women and minorities within their structure.
· Will discuss at its annual meeting in Kearney whether MAC should cease to exist as a committee and become a caucus and affiliate with NSEA. This will be supported only if NSEA commits itself to continued leadership activities for MAC.
· Attended the NEA Human & Civil Rights Conference in Washington, D.C. in February, which reviewed the "Status of Civil Rights 20 Years After the Civil Rights Act of 1984."
1984-1985
NSEA VOICE, March 27, 1985, Delegate Assembly Issue
Minority Affairs Committee
Carolyn Grice, Chairperson
The goal of NSEA / MAC is to increase the participation of ethnic-minority members within the Association. The commitment of NSEA / MAC, to provide leadership training and involvement of the minority members is a commitment to strengthen the leadership of NSEA.
Minority educators attended the ‘Minority Leadership Training Program' in Des Moines and the NEA Human & Civil Rights Conference in Washington, D.C. Minority delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly will also be attending the NEA Pre-Convention Minority / Women's Issues Conference.
The NSEA's Kearney Leadership Conference last summer drew an increased number of minority participants. There, new MAC officers were elected.
Important topics for MAC will be reviewing the changes in the NSEA's Affirmative Action Plan and compliance with 31G for delegates attending the NEA / RA. The NSEA / MAC will also be seeking a reaffirmation of NSEA's commitment to the training and involvement of its minority membership.
1985 -- 1986
NSEA VOICE February 20, 1986, February 8, 1986 Board Minutes:
MAC
Nowak reported on MAC . . .
It's planning a ‘State Leaders & Minorities Forum' concerning minority involvement within state and local associations.
$1,500 has been received from NEA for this forum.
Ron Houston of NEA is developing groundwork for this forum.
Suggested forum date: just prior to Leadership Conference.
Nowak asked a show of hands of those interested to go through the program Houston designs. Several members indicated interest.
NSEA VOICE March 6, 1986, Committee Report from Delegate Assembly
Minority Affairs Committee
Carolyn Grice, Chairman
The goal of NSEA / MAC has always been to increase the participation of ethnic-minority members within the Association. The Minority Affairs Committee provides leadership training in various aspects of Association work for interested minority participants.
This past year has been a busy one for MAC. Minority educators attended the Minority Leadership Training Program in Cheyenne, Wyoming and the NEA National Conference Series "Mission in the Public Schools." Minority delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly attended the Women's & Minorities Pre-Convention Conference in Baltimore.
In governance, the MAC Executive Committee met twice, and also held the annual meeting at the Kearney Leadership Conference last July.
MAC members reviewed the Association's Affirmative Action Plan; compliance with NEA for minority delegates to RA; submitted revisions for the NSEA / MAC plan; and elected new officers.
Through a resolution, NSEA has reaffirmed its commitment to the training and involvement of its minority membership. The NSEA Board of Directors approved a liaison to MAC.
An upcoming MAC project will be a training workshop co-sponsored by NEA. It will be held prior to the Kearney Leadership Conference for MAC members. NSEA Board members and selected local leaders will be part of a forum. The topic will deal with sharing perceptions about what we are, where we are in terms of effective leadership, and how to make it work for the entire organization.
