Untitled Document

CONNECTIONS

IDAHO
ITD HOME
IDAHO DMV
ITD NEWS
HIGHWAY SAFETY
IDAHO STATE POLICE
TRAVEL SERVICES
STATE OF IDAHO

NATIONAL
AASHTO
AAMVA
AAA of IDAHO
FEDERAL HIGHWAYS
FEDERAL AVIATION
IDAHO STATE POLICE
NHTSA
NTSB
TRB
U.S. DOT

Idaho Transportation
Department
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
Email

EEO conference features well-known speakers

A two-day Equal Employment Opportunities conference is planned for March 7, 8 in Post Falls to explain the department’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprises program.

The conference at Templin’s Red Lion Hotel is designed for prime contractors on ITD projects who use subcontractors that qualify under the federal DBE guidelines. ITD’s EEO office and Human Resource Services organized the 2006 conference.

The conference will begin at 8 a.m. with opening remarks by District 1 Engineer L. Scott Stokes and Mary Harker, HRS Manager. Several well-known authorities on EEO topics are scheduled to speak on the first day of the conference, which is targeted primarily for ITD employees.

• The Power and Value of Diversity, Sam Byrd of Diversity Works, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.:

Byrd has more than 25 years of experience working with cross-cultural, diversity, and human rights issues. He has been a leader in groups including the Task Force on Hispanic Education, the Idaho Committee on Indian Education, the Idaho Human Rights Education Center, the Idaho Inclusiveness Coalition, the Council on Hispanic Education, and the University of Idaho’s Diversity and Human Rights Committee.

He has earned a number of awards including: the Larry G. Selland Humanitarian Award by the BSU Women’s Center; the National Howard Swearer Humanitarian for efforts to improve educational opportunities for Hispanic students in Idaho; the University of Idaho President’s Medallion for the cultural, economic, scientific and/or social advancement of Idaho and its people; and the Distinguished Leadership in Human Rights award from Hewlett-Packard for contributions to the cause of Human Rights for Idaho citizens.

• How to Recognize Racism and Sexism, J. Dallas Gudgell, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.:

Gudgell has been involved in consulting, organizing, teaching, training, lobbying and “life coaching” the past 24 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Community Studies from Antioch and a master’s in Public Administration from Boise State University.

He is a “life coach” and owner of SpeakEasy, which provides personal life coaching, training, organizational coaching, and consulting. He is active in social, political and community service and has served on the boards of the Idaho National and Community Service Commission (Americorps), Fort Peck Community College, NAES College, the Governor’s Interstate Indian Council (Idaho), National Peace Action Change Team and the Idaho Human Rights Education Center.

• The Dynamics of Power and Privilege, J. Dallas Gudgell, 2:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m..

• Dealing with Diversity Issues, Kelli Kinkela, 2:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.:

Kinkela has experience in research and development along with program and personnel management. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Engineering Management and has worked at Hewlett-Packard for 12 years. Responsibilities at H-P included a focus on cultural/gender diversity and involvement with organizations at a number of offshore development sites. She also is a member of the Idaho Human Rights Education Center board of directors.

The second day of the conference will be beneficial for contractors on ITD projects. Karen Sparkman, EEO Manager for the transportation department, and District 1 Idaho Transportation Board member John McHugh will initiate the schedule on the second day.