AFFIRMATIVE ACTION DIVISION
On April 2, 1973, Governor Ray signed into law Executive Order No. 15. This order prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, sex, disability (mental and physical), race, color, creed, religion and national origin in the business of operating the state government. This order also required that businesses from the private sector contracting with the state also provide equal employment opportunities. The Executive Order invests the Iowa Civil Rights Commission with the authority and the responsibility to implement its provisions. During FY-79 there were two Affirmative Action Directors at different times. The position was vacant until August, 1978, when Ms. Jean Berlowitz took over. She held the position until November, 1978. Ms. Deanne Poore, then supervising a team of investigators, took charge of the position by way of a lateral transfer.
Ms. Poore is a graduate from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She had been employed with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission since September, 1975. During her tenure, she has held such positions as civil rights investigator, conciliator, and compliance supervisor. As the Affirmative Action Director, Mr. Poore has continued to exemplify her concerns within the area of civil rights.
The work of the Affirmative Action Director stems directly from the provisions of Executive Order No. 15. In brief the order requires:
1 . That the State of Iowa should serve as a "model" with respect to non-discrimination.
2. The employees of state agencies should be selected, assigned and promoted on the basis of merit alone.
3. That state agencies responsible to the Governor shall promulgate written Affirmative Action programs.
4. That the state employment service shall not fill discriminatory job orders, and further, shall refer such to the civil rights commission for action.
5. That state educational programs shall be provided on an equal basis.
6. State services and facilities are to be extended on a non-discriminatory basis.
7. State licensing authorities shall take into account any violations of non-discrimination regulations when licenses are being issued or renewed.
8. State contractors are to be required to have written affirmative action programs on file.
9. All state agencies are required to report to the civil rights commission.
During the fiscal year 1979, the Affirmative Action Division has specifically addressed the Governor's mandate by instituting a number of projects which have made the division more visible to the people of Iowa, and have also broadened its impact.
1 . For the first time, an Affirmative Action report on the Area Schools and Regents educational institutions has been compiled.
2. There has been a greater coordination of efforts with the Governor's Office in a attempt to create and enforce the State Affirmative Action program.
3. An Affirmative Action book has been completed which can be used as a tool for creating and implementing an effective Affirmative Action program.
4. The Affirmative Action Division has completed a resource list of affected class organizations throughout the State of Iowa. We hope that this resource list, entitled Alternatives to Enhance the Recruitment Efforts of Public and Private Employers, will aid employers in recruiting the affected classes for employment.
5. The Affirmative Action Division has assisted the Institute of Public Affairs and Administration at Drake University (Des Moines) in conducting a series of workshops. These workshops were designed to provide the participants with the necessary background to conduct equal employment opportunity audits and develop affirmative action programs.
6. Also, the division has revised the Iowa Civil Rights Commission's Affirmative Action Plan.
Important to the effectiveness of the Affirmative Action Division was Ms. Judy Waterstradt. Mr. Mann promoted her to Civil Rights Specialist I and assigned her temporarily to the Affirmative Action Division. She brought to the position her experience of five years as a Civil Rights Assistant. Ms. Waterstradt has assisted the Affirmative Action Director in providing essential information in affirmative action and civil rights law to representatives of state government as well as people of the private sector. One tribute to Ms. Waterstradt's efforts and competency was her receipt of this year's "Handicapped State Employee of the Year" award from the Governor's Committee on the Handicapped.