July 13, 2005
June Pride
Sylvia is attempting to get the event onto Joe Solomonese’s schedule for
sometime in August. It was suggested that GLOBE try to schedule a lunch for the
August, possibly to coincide with the Pride event. Maria will suggest some dates
that Ike can forward to local members.
DOI Diversity Days
The event will be held on July 14 at Rawlins Park. GLOBE will have an 8 ft table
at the event along with other employee groups. Ike bought flags to cover the
table. We also have GLOBE information (newsletters, mission statement, etc), the
handbook for processing complaints of discrimination based on sexual
orientation, HRC and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force information, as well as
the Walt Whitman poster from the 1998 DOI June Pride celebration to be placed on
the table. Attendees volunteered to cover the table at various times throughout
the day. The mural that Maria, Ike and Jay contributed to will be unveiled at
the event.
There are two associated diversity trainings taking place today. John attended
the two hour morning session. He reported that Alexander Consulting was
conducting the training. There were about 100 people participating representing
a cross section of DOI employees. The focus of the training was respecting and
understanding differences in the workplace, and included a discussion of the DOI
diversity plan, the presentation of instructional videos, and role-playing
exercises. GLBT and sexual orientation issues were included in the training at
levels commensurate with other minority groups.
National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce MOU Signing
It was reported that Bob Faithful may have received some criticism for having
DOI enter into an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the Chamber of
Commerce. It was not clear from which DOI office the criticism came from. It was
suggested that GLOBE send a letter to Bob and the Secretary and/or Lyn Scarlett
congratulating and thanking him for supporting the Chamber of Commerce.
Ike and David attended the dinner gala at the National Building Museum hosted by
the Chamber of Commerce and to which GLOBE members were invited. They reported
that the Chamber of Commerce honored individuals and companies that were making
significant progress in promoting the image of GLBTs in the workplace,
particularly in business. Among others, the CEO of Replacements, the Phoenix G&L
Chamber of Commerce and a VP from Estee Lauder were recognized. GLOBE and its
role in assisting in the signing of the MOU were recognized in the program.
GLBT Liaison
Richard reported that Sharon Eller of the Office of Civil Rights has directed
him to rewrite the manual (not the policy itself) that accompanies the DOI
policy on processing complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation
(373 DM 7). Her target date is mid September so that it will be available for EO
counselor training in Atlanta. Richard asked that anyone with experience in
using the manual please contact him so that he can understand any problems that
should be corrected in the new version.
Andy recounted GLOBE’s involvement in developing the policy. Six or seven years
ago, he sent a note to PMB with a list of problems he encountered because there
were no procedures for processing complaints based on sexual orientation. PMB
then decided to implement some procedures. GLOBE was asked to develop some
aspects of the policy, which were ultimately adopted at the insistence of John
Berry.
Because of GLOBE’s original involvement, it was agreed that GLOBE should review
any revision to the manual. It was noted that the current policy as found in the
Departmental Manual can be found on the web.
Richard then discussed some of the numerous projects he was working on for the
Civil Rights Office. GLBT specific projects include the rewrite of the manual
discussed above, and ensuring that DOI vacancy announcements include sexual
orientation in the non-discrimination statements. Richard is only able to devote
12 hours/week for all of these projects, but his budget is non-existent this
year.
Andy discussed how one of GLOBE’s action items was to seek a full time ombudsman
for GLBT employees and issues. In researching the question, Andy found that USDA
has a GLBT committee that meets with their Secretary quarterly as well as a full
time position to address GLBT issues. EPA has diversity managers with
representatives in all 10 regions. Andy will get the position descriptions for
additional information on the positions, and will canvass other agencies to see
if they have similar positions. This information will be useful in GLOBE’s
request for a full time position.
Richard reported that he had shared the USDA position description with this
administration but was told that there was no money for such a position. It was
noted by others that there is quite a bit of money available for other minority
groups for recruitment, etc. and that GLOBE is being overlooked.
Richard noted that the Out and Equal conference is to be held in Phoenix. He
would like FedGLOBE to attend and participle as it has done with other
conferences in the past. Ike will ask Jay to look into it. It was noted that the
Out and Equal conference is listed on the DOI website.
Revised: 10/03/08