Purpose of Team Diversity Newsletter: To recognize the work of community diversity appreciation teams in Iowa and to share information about teams and diversity-related ideas and resources.
Working Teams:
Ames Diversity Appreciation Team
Sheila Lundt (515-239-5101)
Cedar Rapids Diversity Appreciation Team
Louise Lorenz (319-398-5036)
Charles City International Fellowship
Barb Hemann (515-228-1071)
Denison Cultural Diversity Committee
Lanetta Plambeck (712-263-2164) or
Coletta Weeda (712-263-4697)
Estherville Community Diversity Appreciation Team
Glenn Bohmer (712-362-3237)
Hampton Diversity Committee
Pat Sackville (515-456-5668)
Iowa City Diversity Appreciation Team
Heather Shank (319-356-5022)
Marshalltown Diversity Committee
Sandy Burke (515-294-9307)
Mason City Diversity Appreciation Team
Lionel Foster (515-421-3618)
Polk Co. Diversity Coalition
Barbara Hug (515-263-2660)
Quad Cities' Diversity and Racial Equity Roundtables and Bi-State Anti-Hate Response Team
Brenda Drew-Peeples (319-326-0717)
Racism/Race Relations Committee
Matt Boley and Connie Barrett (712-274-8678)
Siouxland Diversity Coalition
Matt Boley (712-258-5137)
Storm Lake Diversity Task Force
Dale Carver (712-732-6767)
Tama Co. Team for Intercultural Community
Bruce Leitz (319-266-1039) or
Clarence Lippert (515-484-4811)
Webster Co. Diversity Appreciation Team
Ed O'Leary (515-576-2201)
Polk County Diversity Coalition
March 27, 1997
Barbara Hug explained what had been done after the graffiti
incident at a local church. She was contacted by two coalition
members about the incident, a news release was drafted and faxed
to the Des Moines Register and Narcisse Publishing. Channel 8
TV news later called Barb for an interview on the day the graffiti
was removed. Needed is a plan on how to respond to these situations
in a timely and meaningful manner. This is the process developed:
Notify Chair: Any coalition member who becomes aware of an
instance of a hate crime needs to call Barb at (515) 263-2660.
If the OA says Barb is out of town, call Liz Sullivan at (515)
245-8440, who will then follow through.
Notify Coalition: Fax a notice to coalition members telling
of the incident, that a news release is on the way, and that we
are investigating the incident to determine how to respond.
News Release: Barb immediately sends out a news release regarding
the incident.
Investigation: Barb will immediately contact appropriate coalition
members to investigate the situation by contacting the law enforcement
agency, a community agency or group the victim(s) might be involved
in, Civil Rights Commission, etc.
Determine Response: After the investigation (within one or
two days of reported incident) that group of coalition members
will talk to determine an appropriate response from the coalition,
and write up a recommendation.
Notification of Coalition Members: A brief summary of the investigation
and a response recommendation will be faxed to all coalition members
who have the opportunity to approve or disapprove of the response.
Response: Will be carried out only with 100% agreement by the coalition members.
The ICRC is building a diversity "book" library. The books are available for check out by local human/civil rights commissions, diversity teams, and study circles sponsoring coalitions. Following is a partial list of the books now available.
Title/Author
Life on the Color Line/ Williams
Race and the Criminal Justice System/Reynolds
Race Matters/West
The Nature of Prejudice/Allport
Rain of Gold/Villasenor
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee/Brown
Skin Deep/Golden & Shreve
To check-out a book, contact Alison Radl, (515) 242-6132.
January 9, 1997
Judy Morrison was scheduled to facilitate the meeting and Judge
Brown was planning to be the recorder, but the weather was cold
& snowing, and they were unable to attend. Bruce Leitz agreed
to facilitate the meeting and Clarence Lippert agreed to record.
The meeting was held at the Meskwaki Tribal Center...
Alan Richards indicated that he was able to obtain access at
the school to speak with a Native American client. He noted that
one judge had, in three cases, made some special consideration
for Native Americans. He expressed continuing concern that state
investigators and other officers of the court had no special training
in working with Native Americans. Later in the meeting he indicated
that diversity training had been ordered in Waterloo in the past.
Richards said he had filed a petition with the Iowa Supreme Court
seeking to have them order training for court and law enforcement
officers in Tama County...
Jana Werner repeated her concern over criminalizing the Native
American population by beginning prosecution at a young age. She
indicated that it was easy to say that all should be treated equally
and pay if they break the law, but she believed this would have
a disparate impact on Native Americans. Brent Heeren (County Attorney)
indicated that the disparate impact was more likely a matter of
economics rather than of race, and that no one is forced to break
the law. Heeren also indicated that the County Attorney's office
prosecuted those who were arrested and he did not plan to dismiss
cases because a racial quota may have been met. Heeren indicated
that the result in court was not the work of the County Attorney's
Office alone, but of law enforcement, a judge, jury, etc. He has
not seen judges tolerate what they believed was discrimination
taking place...
A Team pamphlet drafted by Will Lester was distributed for
suggestions. Suggestions were made regarding listing "participants,"
a design or graphic, the location of the name & mission statement,
and drafting a version in Spanish. Lester will continue to work
on its design.
Leitz reported that he had met with Mike Richardson and Clarence
Lippert and they decided to recommend that the history of the
Tama County Team for Inter-cultural Community be contained in
a series of volumes. Each volume would cover two years, and Volume
I would be for 1994-1996. It was discussed that the document contain
an "attendance list" and locations for printed volumes
were discussed.
Lester expressed pleasure that the meeting on this date was
being held despite the bad weather. He noted that much of the
time during previous meetings had been used by those from outside
the community, and he was pleased that the meeting wasn't canceled
simply because those outside the community could not attend...
Wanatee discussed Ray Youngbear's latest book: Remnants
of the Earth.
Dick Koehler reported that Iowa Valley Community College (IVCC)
adult education was offering two special events this term. On
February 18, 1997, from 9:00 to 4:00 at Otter Creek they will
offer "Building Community Partnerships" in cooperation
with the Iowa Peace Institute. Also as more of a social outing
they will offer "Folk Dancing for All" to include Czech,
Native American, and perhaps other folk dancing styles...
Lester indicated that he and Fred Youngbear and one or two
others from the local area had attended a state meeting concerning
the use of "Study Circles." This includes getting various
groups talking in multiple smaller groups of 8-12 people to seek
solutions to problems. The groups would then come together as
a larger group. Broad problems such as "race relations"
could be the topic. Fred Youngbear indicated the groups involved
people as human beings rather than as persons with positions,
and that it was hard work that allowed individuals to recognize
their own prejudices. An objective facilitator was needed for
the group. Meetings might number about four 2-hour sessions, but
could go longer. Meetings could include students. The topic of
Study Circles will be placed on a future agenda for more information.
Steve Burr had gathered information on Grade Point Averages
for senior students each year since 1982 with 1989 & 1990
missing. This information was distributed and discussed along
with the pattern for drop-outs. It was noted that all students
needed encouragement to complete high school and continue on to
higher education.
Leitz extended his congratulations especially to Jim Tekippe
and Laura DeGroote and others who worked on the Diversity Day
in December.