Presented byJoyce Allen-Beckford Director

Andy Garcia Associated DirectorNovember 18, 2008

2008 AccomplishmentsMLAC Board Diversity RetreatLet’s Get Real about Diversity Disability

WorkshopsHarassment Prevention and Investigation

WorkshopDifficult Conversations WorkshopPresentation to Project Directors in July Project Directors Diversity RetreatAttorneys of Color, Bart Gordon, Racial

Justice Fellow retreat

2008 Accomplishments Cont’d…

Support PD committee on hiring and retentionRestructure Diversity Coalition Steering

CommitteeMLAC Brown Bag LunchesTrack workshop attendance for monitoring

purposesConsulted with CLAE on Spring workshopVisited several PD’s this summer

MLAC Board Diversity Committee

Diversity Coalition facilitated the Let’s Get Real About Diversity Retreat for MLAC’s Board of Directors in January 2008

Board formed a Diversity Committee at the February Board meeting.

The Diversity Coalition worked with the Diversity Committee to create a Diversity Mission Statement

 

Northeast Lowell Tuesday, April 15 10:00 to 3:00Southeast Taunton Thursday, April 17 10:00 to 3:00Eastern Boston Thursday, April 24 10:00 to 3:00Central/West Springfield Tuesday, April 29 10:00 to 3:00 Eastern Cambridge Thursday, May 1 10:00 to 3:00Central/West Worcester Tuesday, May 6 10:00 to 3:00Eastern Framingham Thursday, May 8 10:00 to 3:00Eastern Boston Tuesday, May 13 10:00 to 3:00

 

Schedule of Trainings: Let’s Get Real About Disability

Spring 2008

Disability Workshop Objectives

Define disability, including the different categories.

Examine the issues faced by people with disabilities.

Learn to use “people first” language.Understand how to assist people with various

disabilities.Challenge assumptions and stereotypes.Identify ways to advocate.

Let’s Get Real About: Disability

How beneficial was the workshop?The workshop was rated as beneficial by the majority of respondents.  

 

How effective was the facilitation?The facilitation was rated as effective by the majority of

participants .

Impact on participantsAttitudes were changed:

Increased respect, decreased prejudice, more open minded.

Awareness was heightened:Understanding of advantage/disadvantage, range and types of disabilities.

Communication with people with disabilities was improved:Slow down, observe, ask before acting – mindful of intent vs. impact; platinum rule. Increased comfort and confidence in approaching people with disabilities.

• Commitment to advocacy was increased:Share information/awareness with staff and incorporate into unit culture.

Favorite workshop activities:

Many participants commented on the helpfulness of having interactive group activities.

Choices for next diversity workshop

Difficult conversations workshop

Opportunities to discover similarities & differences among us

Support in noticing misinformation that are held about each other

Provided a skill set to use when a challenging dialogue comes up

Presentation at PDs June meeting

Encouraged PDs to develop mission statements

Presented framework for a Fall Diversity workshop

Debora Bloom presented framework for AAO workshop

ObjectivesDefine sexual harassmentDescribe the legal and business impact of harassmentUnderstand the need for a written policy Recognize a range of harassing behaviorsDistinguish between illegal harassing behavior and

inappropriate workplace behaviorSelect strategies to prevent and/or halt multiple types

of harassmentDescribe a manager’s role in dealing with harassment

Harassment Prevention and Investigation Workshop

Project Director’s Diversity Retreat

Morning Session:How Dominant Culture Mindsets Shape Organizational Culture

Afternoon Session:Effective Interviewing Techniques by Trisha Griffen

Attorneys of Color Retreat &

Fellows Luncheon

New Racial Justice and Bart Gordon Fellows were honored

Judge Wendell Griffen was the keynote speaker

Attorneys of Color had a facilitated discussion with the Judge on the intersection of race & poverty

Preview of 2009*Let’s Get Real About Four Generations in the

WorkplaceLet’s Get Real About RaceRetreat in support of Paralegals and Intake workersContinue to support PD’s with hiring & recruitment

*The Diversity Coalition is committed to achieving these goals; however, the current funding situation may limit our ability to do so.

Thank You !