Gretchen Lee, Chairperson
Dubuque
Gretchen Bataille, Vice-Chairperson
Ames
Charles Toney
Davenport
George Garcia
Iowa City
Evelyne Villines
Des Moines
Harriette Bruce
Des Moines
Jack Peters
Council Bluffs
The policy making body of the
Commission consists of seven Commissioners, appointed by the Governor with
the advice and consent of the Senate. They represent geographical areas
within the state with no more than four belonging to the same political
party. Appointments are made to staggered four-year terms. A per diem and
expenses incurred are allocated to every Commissioner while on official
Commission business.
Commissioners' duties include the development of rules and regulations for
the agency, and deciding Probable Cause or No Probable Cause findings in
discrimination cases. It is also the Commissioners' responsibility to approve
cases for public hearings, to review the findings and to issue the final
order on a public hearing case.
Meetings once a month bring the Commissioners together to discuss the goals
and timetables of the director and his staff. The need for keeping current
on Civil Rights legislation requires the Commissioners to spend some time
in training sessions. They also make various public appearances on behalf
of the Commission.
Commissioners have the responsibility to make recommendations to the General
Assembly for further legislation in the area of Civil Rights.
Three new Commissioners joined the Commission during the fiscal year. They
are Charles Toney of Davenport (August, 1975) Evelyne Villines of Des Moines
(August, 1975) and Gretchen Bataille of Ames (September, 1975). Two other
Commissioners left the Commission later in the year. They are James Gillman
of Des Moines (June, 1976) and Dr. Gary Koerselman of Sioux City (June,
1976). Dr. Koerselman served as chairperson of the Commission since April
of 1975.