Resource Groups See Growth Spurt

New Pacific Islander, LGBT, African American Employee Groups Emerging

The African American Association of County Employees held its kickoff event in October. Click image to see larger.

One is off and running, and two more are planning launches early next year, bringing to five the number of employee resource groups that will soon be available at the County.

In addition to the County’s well-established Latino and Filipino employee organizations, an African-American group has formed. New LGBT and Asian Pacific employee groups are also developing.

The new African American Association of County Employees (AAACE) held its kickoff celebration Oct. 28. More than 160 people attended the event, including Chief Administrative Officer Helen N. Robbins-Meyer, Supervisor Dave Roberts and Joe Cordero, the Director of the County’s Office of Ethics and Compliance.

Cordero said the resource groups are central to the County’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and play a “rapidly increasing role in the recruitment, retention, talent development of all employees, as well as in supporting County initiatives.”

For example, he said the groups are doing an outstanding job connecting the County’s Live Well San Diego efforts with members and with traditionally underserved populations in the community. The groups have also helped raise intercultural awareness and employee appreciation, which benefits everyone, he said.

AAACE President Alison Hunter said her group surpassed its membership goal of reaching 100 by Nov. 1, reaching 120 members. A total of 17 became officers and members of the board of directors at an induction ceremony last month. A long list of activities is also planned, including scholarship and mentor programs for high school students and outings to three Chargers games next month. An event that may be of particular interest to many County employees is a Dec. 3 panel discussion at which County executives will offer tips for career success.Like most ERG activities, it is open to all employees.

AAACE formally incorporated in August and is in the process of becoming a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. When that happens, employees can make tax-deductible donations.

Meanwhile, the new LGBT employee group is coming along as well, with an official launch expected early next year. About 60 employees have expressed interest in joining so far, said Wes Moore, a policy advisor for Supervisor Dave Roberts. Its official name will be the County of San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Association, or the LGBT Association.

Moore said the group came up with bylaws and articles of incorporation and plans to hold elections and a launch party in early 2014.

A brand new, fifth group of Asian Pacific Islander employees is also forming. The Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees (APACE) already has interim officers and an interim board of directors in place. About 20 employees have been meeting twice a month to “build a framework for what we hope the group will become,” said Thai Sukrachan, the interim president and an Administrative Analyst III in HHSA’s Dept. of Aging & Independence Services.

The group is open to anyone, and plans to hold official elections and a meet-and-greet event early next year. Also in the works is a multicultural kick-off event during Asian Pacific Islander month in May 2014 featuring food, costumes and maybe even a parade.

The term Asian Pacific Islander includes people of Asian heritage, including from Japan, China, Korea, the Philippines and Samoa, from the Indian Subcontinent, including from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, and from the Pacific Islands.
The idea of creating an organization focused on this range of cultures stems back three years. The growth spurt of ERGs seen this year inspired Jose Mallari, a Filipino-American and an Administrative Analyst II in the Department of Public Works, to move forward with the goal. Mallari wanted to start a group that would include employees of a longer list of cultures and backgrounds, in addition to Filipino-American employees. He then approached the leaders of the County of San Diego Filipino-American Employees Association seeking their support.

“I asked if they would mind me proposing a broader network that would give more options and advantages than a single country would give,” Mallari said.

The Filipino-American group voted to stay separate but support his effort.

When he saw what he called the boom in ERGs this year, Mallari said he decided to push forward with the idea.

The group has executive sponsors and a website and InSite page are being developed as well.

For more information on the Latino, Filipino-American or African American employee resource groups, visit their pages on InSite. For more information on the new LBGT employee group, email Wes Moore at Wesley.moore@sdcounty.ca.gov and for more information on the new Asian Pacific Alliance group, email Thai Sukrachan at thai.sukrachan@sdcounty.ca.gov or Mary Grace Sadile at marygrace.sadile@sdcounty.ca.gov.