Presented by Joyce Allen-Beckford Director Andy Garcia Associated Director November 18, 2008

2008 Accomplishments MLAC Board Diversity Retreat Let’s Get Real about Diversity Disability Workshops Harassment Prevention and Investigation Workshop Difficult Conversations Workshop Presentation to Project Directors in July Project Directors Diversity Retreat Attorneys of Color, Bart Gordon, Racial Justice Fellow retreat

2008 Accomplishments Cont’d… Support PD committee on hiring and retention Restructure Diversity Coalition Steering Committee MLAC Brown Bag Lunches Track workshop attendance for monitoring purposes Consulted with CLAE on Spring workshop Visited 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

NortheastLowellTuesday, April 1510:00 to 3:00 SoutheastTauntonThursday, April 1710:00 to 3:00 EasternBostonThursday, April 2410:00 to 3:00 Central/WestSpringfieldTuesday, April 2910:00 to 3:00 EasternCambridgeThursday, May 110:00 to 3:00 Central/WestWorcesterTuesday, May 610:00 to 3:00 EasternFraminghamThursday, May 810:00 to 3:00 EasternBostonTuesday, May 1310:00 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 participants Attitudes 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

Objectives Define sexual harassment Describe the legal and business impact of harassment Understand the need for a written policy Recognize a range of harassing behaviors Distinguish between illegal harassing behavior and inappropriate workplace behavior Select strategies to prevent and/or halt multiple types of harassment Describe 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 Workplace Let’s Get Real About Race Retreat in support of Paralegals and Intake workers Continue 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 !