Thank you for visiting the Illinois Affirmative Action Officer Association (IAAOA) website. The IAAOA is an association dedicated to the promotion of affirmative action as an instrument to fulfill the nations promise of equal opportunity. Our mission is to nurture understanding of and offer advice on affirmative action to enhance access and equity in employment, economic and educational opportunities for citizens of Illinois.

The IAAOA strives to:

• Foster effective affirmative action/equal opportunity programs statewide.
• Establish and maintain ethical standards for the profession.
• Liaison with federal, state and local agencies involved with equal opportunity compliance in employment and education.
• Promote the professional growth and development of our members.
• Sponsor education and training programs.
• Sponsor and conduct research.

If you would like to learn more and find out how to become a member please visit our Membership tab above.

Thank you for your time and we hope that you enjoy the site. If you have any questions, please use the e-mail form to send us an e-mail.

Diane Tyrrell
President, Illinois Affirmative Action Officers Association

President
Diane Tyrrell, Assistant Director, Human Resource Administration
Northern Illinois University

Diane has been employed at Northern Illinois University for the past 13 years and is currently serving as the Assistant Director of Human Resource Administration. In her progressive role at NIU, she oversees several areas - which include EEO recruiting of faculty and staff, medical and disability issues, and workers compensation. She has been an officer with the IAAOA for the past two terms as Secretary and has been President pro-tem recently. She has earned a B.S. in Special Education in Visual Impairments at NIU and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Special Education with a specialization in Orientation and Mobility of the Visually Impaired.

Vice President
Vacant

The position of Vice President is currently vacant. Elections will be held in October, 2009.

Secretary
Mary T. Wright, Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer and ADA Coordinator
Illinois Tollway

Mary T. Wright is the EEO/AA officer for the Illinois Tollway, where she has worked since July 1, 1999. She is also the ADA coordinator for the Tollway. Wright has a masters degree in Industrial Relations from Loyola University in Chicago. She is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and is certified by the SHRM as a Diversity trainer. Her interests include parks and recreation, in which she utilizes as the Park Commissions for the Naperville Park District, and helping all achieve to their potential. She is currently enrolled in a certificate program at the University of Illinois Chicago in Assistive Technology. Wright believes in networking and helping others through problem solving.

Treasurer
Theresa Faith Cummings, Former Equal Employment Officer
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Theresa Faith Cummings is the current elected Treasurer for the Association. She is the business owner of Cummings Associates, a consulting firm in the areas of personnel, administration, legislation, EEO/AA and grant writing. She holds an M.S. in Personnnel. Theresa is also the past EEO/AA Officer for the State Department of Natural Resources and the past Chairperson for the Illinois State Advisory Committee to the United States Commission of Civil Rights. She is a member of numerous professional and community organizations and boards including, Federation of Business and Professional Women, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., and the Advisory Council for the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. Theresa Faith Cummings has been appointed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to the Illinois Amatory Surgical Treatment Board and is one of the most influential and impacting women in Springfield.

Parlimentarian
Wendy Washington, Human Resources Manager/EEO/AA Officer
Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General

Wendy has been employed at the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General since 2003 where she administers and oversees all human resource related activities including employee relations, recruitment, training and payroll.  She also serves at the EEO/AA Officer to ensure compliance with applicable laws and diversity goals.  Wendy is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and has maintained her professional certification since 2004. 

Preamble to the Illinois Affirmative Action Officers' Association Constitution

WHEREAS, each member serves a particular function within the public and private institutions of higher education, private industry and other governmental agencies in the State of Illinois;

WHEREAS, we are all charged with the responsibility of advising and assisting these institutions in the development and fulfillment of their commitment to principals of equal opportunity in all operations, and employment, and other affirmative action efforts;

WHEREAS, these institutions manifest an inability to utilize to their maximum potential, processes, data, and approaches to facilitate balanced employment and enrollment;

THEREFORE, the Illinois Affirmative Action Officers Association shall have as its primary purpose the provision of professional activities designed to promote, maintain, and insure compliance with all laws, executive orders and policies of non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action.

In the matter of nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action, the Illinois Affirmative Action Officers Association will:

• review federal, state, and local policies, procedures, statutes, regulations and other such information, affecting equal opportunity;
• take positive steps to assist public and private institutions/organizations in developing appropriate means by which protected classes may articulate their concerns in an orderly manner so as to realize positive benefits.

 

Business Meeting of IAAOA held following luncheon on 10/17/08.

Meeting began with Paul Pitts, past president of IAAOA from SIUE, introducing himself.  Afterwards, all in audience stated their name, title, employer and employment duties.

Mary T. Wright, secretary, reported that at the reception on 10/16/08, there were three teams which participated in Jeopardy.  First prize went to the team consisting of Fred Stewart, Paul Pitts, Jan xxx and Nell xxx.  Prizes were given to the winning team.

Theresa Faith Cummings, Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s Report.  10/08 conference not included in report, which ended 9/08.  Checking account balance of $922.86 and savings account balance of $10,222.40.  A motion was made to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented by Paul Pitts.  Second by Mary T. Wright.  All voted in favor of accepting Treasurer’s report; none opposed.

Diane Tyrell, President, discussed that our Parliamentarian had resigned and requested any volunteers for the position.  Wendy Washington, from Executive Inspector General’s Office, volunteered.  All voted in favor of Ms. Washington to be Parliamentarian.

Carmen Suarez, Vice President, discussed national AAAA conference will be held at the Marriott Lincolnshire in April.  Ms. Suarez asked for volunteers from membership to assist.

Discussion from floor as to how often IAAOA conferences are held.  General consensus that two or more conferences per year with training would be beneficial to those new to the field.  Discussion that it took time to plan conference, get speakers, arrange lodging and registration.  Shrylene Clark Langston, of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, volunteered to help with conference planning.

A raffle was held for the centerpieces which consisted of a gift basket including herbal teas, trail mix, sunflower seeds, microwave popcorn and cider.  Six baskets were given out. 

A special thank you to Theresa Faith Cummings for putting together the gift baskets, prizes for Jeopardy and the gifts for the speakers.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 1:35 p.m. from Mary T. Wright and seconded by Paul Pitts.  All voted in favor with none opposing.

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