Category: Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Update: 2020 COVID-19 Equity Ambassadors Program accepting applications!

COVID-19 Equity Ambassadors Free if accepted | Register interest by April 30 The COVID-19 outbreak is forcing public servants to make decisions at an unprecedented pace. With a disease that disproportionately impacts our most vulnerable — from the elderly to low-income — decisions made without these communities in mind risk exacerbating current inequities. In times … Continued

Complex Problems, Comprehensive Solutions

Photo by Olav Ahrens Røtne on Unsplash Having a good heart and good intentions are not good enough. If our goal is to better serve disenfranchised individuals and groups in our communities, to implement projects with tangible results, we require the same level of competence and preparation that we would for any other professional endeavor. Attempting to assist … Continued

Building a Diverse & Inclusive Profession: Practice What You Preach

This post is by ELGL member Heather Geyer, City Manager, City of Northglenn, CO. She’s also the Mountain Plains Senior Vice President on the ICMA Executive Board. Follow Heather on Twitter and LinkedIn. “You can’t be what you can’t see.” These words have always been with me throughout my local government career, but especially so since I … Continued

Introducing: Social Justice -> Local Government

This guest blog is by ELGL member Matt Hirschinger, the Assistant to the Town Manager in Hudson, Colorado. Read Matt’s writing about criticizing other cultures professionally, understanding privilege, understanding identity, and impressing in meetings. Read all of Matt’s other articles at the Social Justice –> Government homepage. My name is Matt Hirschinger, and I had the opportunity … Continued

Asking Better Questions

This guest blog is by ELGL member Matt Hirschinger, the Assistant to the Town Manager in Hudson, Colorado. Read Matt’s writing about criticizing other cultures professionally, understanding privilege, understanding identity, and impressing in meetings. In local government, we ask a lot of questions. Whether to reach out to our citizens to better understand their priorities, to … Continued

Increasing Equity by Unifying In-Person & Virtual Efforts

This blog post is by ELGL member Jay Dawkins with PublicInput.com. Sign up to attend a free webinar about this topic on December 12, 2019 at 1:00 ET: RSVP for the webinar! The new paradigm of community engagement is bringing together all efforts into one place As technology has become more integrated into our everyday … Continued

Questioning Gender Assumptions

Today’s Buzz is by Alisha Janes (Find her on Twitter and LinkedIn) What I’m Watching: Watchmen What I’m Reading: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World Thanksgiving in my family has typically been a gendered holiday. Most of my female relatives make their annual contribution to the food. My grandma cooks the turkey and … Continued

Criticizing Other Cultures Professionally

This guest blog is by ELGL member Matt Hirschinger, the Assistant to the Town Manager in Hudson, Colorado. Read Matt’s writing about understanding privilege, understanding identity, and impressing in meetings. It’s a common discussion to consider ways to open ourselves to other cultures and appreciate the differences that exist among us. The social, economic, and personal … Continued

Is Your Website Accessible to Those With Disabilities? Should it be?

This guest blog is by ELGL member Matthew DiCianni.  Want even more helpful information about creating accessible websites? Learn how to make your local government website and digital services accessible for all populations. On November 6, join Matthew and Luke Fretwell, CEO of ProudCity, to talk through this court decision, and then walk you through … Continued

Hiding in Plain Sight

Note from Pam Davis, CivicPRIDE Chair: Happy National Coming Out Day! Today is a day the celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and the unique experiences we have coming into ourselves and then out to the world. One of the most powerful tools for social change is the ongoing relationship-building between people of diverse identities. When people … Continued

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