Pacific Islander ERG Launches Thursday

Come say hello or aloha (Hawaiian), talofa (Samoan), malo e lelei (Tongan), bula (Fijian), kia ora (Maori), iorana (Tahitian),  hafa adai (Chamorro), ran allim (Chuukese) and iokwe (Marshallese) to the County’s newest Employee Resource Group  (ERG) on Thursday. The Pacific Islander Society of County Employees, or PISCE, will host a launch celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the County Operations Center’s Commons area.

The festivities include food, dance performances by employees and their families, a fashion show, local Pacific Islander organizations and introductory presentations by the PISCE’s board.

PISCE Interim President Jennifer Samuela said the group formed to promote cultural awareness of the many island nation cultures that make up Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.

“It is all about promoting diversity and inclusion,” said Samuela, an administrative analyst with the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk. “We welcome membership from all cultural backgrounds and encourage cross membership in all ERGs.”

PISCE joins eight other established ERGs at the County. Each ERG works to enhance cultural awareness, support workforce outreach, recruitment and retention, promote County initiatives though partnerships with departments and community based organizations and to provide professional development and networking opportunities for members.

 In addition, an ERG for employees with disabilities is in the planning stages. For more information on the employees with disabilities ERG, contact Nicole del Toro Cummings at Nicole.delToroCummings@sdcounty.ca.gov.

To learn more about PISCE, attend Thursday’s party or email PISCE@sdcounty.ca.gov or visit them on InSite.