TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Training and Education are integral segments of the Commission. The purpose of training is to maintain a consistent, high standard of work or to introduce new, improved work methods. The intent of education is to convey to the public what the Iowa Civil Rights Act means and what its rights and duties are pursuant to the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

In FY 1981 training continued to be provided to staff through in-service training, and external training. Also, educational information was again disseminated through publications, public speeches, and workshops.

During FY 1981, a total of five (5) public forums were held, one (1) each in Sioux City, Fort Madison, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Council Bluffs.

The Commission resumed printing of the "Communicator." The newsletter editor, Carol Groh, and lay-out specialist, Gloria J. Roeder, were chiefly responsible for the five (5) issues printed during FY 1981 and distribution of 4,250 copies.

The Commission conducted seven (7) in-service training sessions for new staff, shared information with ten (10) local commissions during nine (9) workshops, and conducted two (2) training sessions for private employers.

The Iowa Civil Rights Commission and the Iowa Manufacturers Association (IMA) joined to sponsor two Human Rights Seminars in November, 1980 one in Des Moines and one in Davenport. Speakers at the one-day sessions included officers of the IMA, and the Chairperson, Executive Director and staff members of the Commission, local human rights commissions and organizations, as well as personnel officers and attorneys.

The 185 participants were primarily personnel officers from Iowa Manufacturing plants. They learned about the legal and practical approaches to human rights in employment, including ways to avoid discrimination complaints and how to respond to such complaints. The seminars showed progress in breaking down the perceived barriers in communication between the U%IA and the ICRC.

Speaking engagements were numerous during FY 1981. Eight (8) staff conducted public speeches. Topics ranged from a basic presentation on civil rights law, to sexual harassment, to Administrative Law. In all, staff conducted 47 public speeches.