HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5c. DEI Strategic Plan Community Workshop Item 5c
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 10/4/2023
Item Number: 5c
FROM: Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Phone Number: (805) 781-7073
E-mail: nveloz@slocity.org
SUBJECT: DEI STRATEGIC PLAN COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
RECOMMENDATION
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) to host the DEI Strategic Plan Community
Workshop to receive feedback from community members that will contribute to the
development of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives for the DEI Strategic Plan.
BACKGROUND
The DEI Task Force’s report, titled “Recommendations to City Council for Advancing
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the City of San Luis Obispo,” stated key initiatives, which
included the development and implementation of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Strategic Plan. During the 2021-23 Financial Plan process, this initiative was added as
an item for the office to develop and begin implementation. Due to staff turnover, the DEI
Strategic Plan was not completed in the 2021 -23 fiscal year. In the 2023-25 Financial
plan, the item was added for the new DEI Manager to lead on the project completion. On
April 5, 2023 the Human Relations Commission (HRC) received a presentation and
conducted a review of the DEI Strategic Plan framework, which concluded with feedback
and recommendation provided to staff to be included in the framework. On May 2, 2023
the DEI Strategic Plan Framework was presented before City Council during a study
session. Upon feedback, staff revised the framework. In June 2023, the Office of DEI
established a contract with Dr. Beya Makekau to be the DEI Strategic Plan Consultant.
Part of the contract includes the obligation to conduct public engagement processes to
gather community feedback. The public engagement process includes a Community
Workshop held during an HRC regular meeting to ensure community engagement
through a community forum that welcomes perspectives that will have an impact in the
details and development of the DEI Strategic Plan.
NEXT STEPS
The HRC to receive input from the community regarding the DEI Strategic Plan and
provide recommendations to staff on potential details to be included as part of the DEI
Strategic Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
A - DEI Strategic Plan Framework
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Diversity,
Equity, &
Inclusion
Ecosystem
Diverse
Community
Engagement &
Representation
Equitable
Communication
& Accessibility
Embedded
Accountability
& Sustainable
Change
Inclusive
Organizational
Culture &
Structure
PLAN FRAMEWORK
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
The City of San Luis Obispo values diversity, promotes equity and belonging, actively
denounces racism, and believes that both in value and practice San Luis Obispo can be
a place where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and inclusion. The City is
dedicated to building a community and government in which diversity is celebrated,
inclusion is embedded in policy, and all members of the public are equitably represented
to ensure San Luis Obispo is a place they can thrive.
*all individuals refer to any person who may have different cultures, national origins, gender identities, gender expressions, sexual
orientations, pregnancy statuses, racial and ethnic identities, linguistic backgrounds and languages, age, abilities, genetic information,
veteran status, and spiritual/religious beliefs.
Major Pillars
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The framework pillars are designed to address four (4) areas focused on the community
engagement, equitable communication, sustainable change, and organizational structure. The
increasing change in economic wellbeing and social landscape has posed an incentive for change
in jurisdictions that aim to address inequalities and create spaces to enhancing a sense of
belonging for all communities. The DEI statement serves as primary foundational element of the
plan and it sets the tone, provides direction, and informs the development of the strategies in the
strategic plan.
The major pillars are broad themes that underpin the overall strategy. The pillars are streamlines
and refined to four areas:
1. Diverse Community Engagement and Representation:
Cultivating equitable pathways for expanded community partnerships rooted in diverse
representation in City processes, services, and community initiatives aimed at fostering
systemic change and increased public awareness.
2. Equitable Communication and Accessibility:
Developing equitable communication strategies to create inclusive and accessible
engagement in city programs and services that increases the participation for underserved
communities and reinforces the City’s commitment to DEI.
3. Embedded Accountability and Sustainable Change:
Building strategies that operationalize the City’s commitment to DEI and allow for sustained
movement and continued measurable growth towards transformational change.
4. Inclusive Organizational Culture and Structure:
Fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes equitable programs and policies to cultivate an
environment that values, respects, and welcomes employees and community members from
all backgrounds and diverse identities.
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Inclusivity Strategy
Strategies for inclusion are as follow:
1. DEI Strategic Plan Community Wide Vision Survey:
a. As part of the preparation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Plan,
the City of San Luis Obispo has prepared a survey and invites residents and the
community at large to participate in a brief visioning survey. The information
collected will help inform and guide the vision for the City's DEI efforts in the coming
years.
2. Community Wide Workshop:
a. The Office of DEI has identified the public participation goal as that of collaboration
since the initiatives will have a direct impact to several interested communities and
key community planning groups that provide services or have programs designed
to provide support to underserved and underrepresented communities.
b. The Office of DEI will maintain the community apprised about the development of
the project and incorporate thoughtful recommendations that further DEI initiatives
in the community.
3. Bilingual Virtual Community Workshop
a. As identified above, as series of activities directed to outreach and feedback from
various diverse communities is key to the development of the DEI Strategic Plan.
Expanding ways of communication through an action plan that is culturally and
linguistically appropriate is key to successful engagement. This includes making
surveys equally accessible in English and Spanish, making virtual sessions
available after regular work hours, and with bilingual capacity, and promoting
information in English and Spanish via social media channels.
Community feedback is critical to inform and guide the City’s first DEI Strategic Plan and the
efforts that will make the entire community a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and diverse communities
where all individuals can thrive.
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