Hear Every Voice Webinar: Demographics, the Customers We Serve Part I: Culture, Ethnicity, and Race April 14,2011 Vanessa Levingston, Public Involvement Consultant

Culture: The behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group: the youth culture; the Mn/DOT culture.

Ethnicity: Ethnicity connotes shared cultural traits and a shared group history. Some ethnic groups also share linguistic or religious traits, while others share a common group history but not a common language or religion.

Race: The term race refers to the concept of dividing people into populations or groups on the basis of various sets of physical characteristics. However, it is usually governments that decide on the racial categories in a given country.

Mn/DOT Resources For Staff Mn/DOTs Office of Affirmative Action Language Services Interpreting Accent Modification Hearing and Modifying Training Respectful Workplace Contact Janet Miller

Mn/DOT Diversity Council The Diversity Council is an advisory body to the Commissioner of Mn/DOT, the Commissioner's staff, the Director of the Affirmative Action Office and the Director of the Office of Human Resources. Its mission is to "make differences matter" by fostering an environment of inclusion, making Mn/DOT an employer of choice. Diversity Council members consist of agency wide staff, from all levels and specialties, addressing a broad range of issues of importance to Mn/DOT. Council members will actively participate in meetings, workshops and committee assignments. The members are expected to commit a maximum of one day per month to the Council's work. Mn/DOT's agency-wide diversity council was formed to: Provide direction on strategic and policy issues Execute educational and training programs Organize cultural awareness events Oversee the implementation of the agency's Diversity Strategic PlanDiversity Strategic Plan Share information and ideas

Diversity Council Trainings Western Religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam Monday, May 23, 2011 Open to all staff Options for viewing : Live or Adobe Connect Look for announcements to come. For More information, contact Rosemarie Merrigan

Hear Every Voice Mn/DOTs Public and Stakeholder Participation Initiative Engaging Underserved and Underrepresented Stakeholders May 13, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – Noon June 22, 2011, 1:00-4:00 This session explores effective strategies for involving underserved groups

Minnesota Department of Education Language Maps

Vanessa Levingston Public Involvement Consultant (651)