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Affinity Group Missions/Goals Guidelines

On June 4, 2020, following the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, the IC facilitated a voluntary agency-wide discussion attended by 145+ of our total staff of approximately 165 during which, among other things, staff shared personal accounts of racism they’ve experienced including while doing their jobs. After the discussion, the IC followed up with staff recommendations including suggestions to provide more historical context to staff through ongoing education; create affinity groups; conduct an internal audit; and provide litigation training opportunities related to systemic racism.

Subsequently, the IC organized and led voluntary agency-wide discussions about Ava Duvernay’s critically acclaimed documentary 13th and the series Watchmen to provide more historical context of the 13th Amendment and the mass incarceration of Black and Brown people, and The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, respectively. In addition, the IC formed ad hoc working groups to discuss, follow up and commit to implementing staff recommendations.

Female Attorneys Facing Discrimination
Mission:

Safe space to discuss issues of gender-based discrimination and brainstorm responses, explore how discrimination impacts treatment of female attorneys and clients, create a toolkit of responses to discriminatory conduct by judges, attorneys, and other stakeholders towards female attorneys and our clients, create a database tracking discriminatory conduct by judges, attorneys, and other stakeholders towards female attorneys and our clients.

LGBTQIA+
Mission:

The LGBTQIA+ Staff Affinity Group aims to create a safe space and support system for LSHV staff who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We hope to continue to maintain a close-knit community and provide an outlet to discuss issues both professionally and personally, educate the larger agency on LGBTQIA+ issues, and make agency policy recommendations as they pertain to LGBTQIA+ concerns and their intersection with other identities.

Multi-Denominational Faith-Based Employee Group (Formerly Christian/ Catholic Staff) Mission:

To allow free expression of faith; to learn traditions of all faiths participating; discussions about our work and suggestions of how to deal with our everyday issues; respect other faiths’ views; and have a foundation of faith leading our actions; have discussions and prayer. Events promotion. To support, encourage and exchange ideas with the guidance of God in working with each other so that we may continue to assist the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice, and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Privilege Accountability Group Effort (PAGE) Mission:

We are committed to anti-racist principles, to combating white privilege and challenging systemic oppression by educating ourselves and each other, holding ourselves and others accountable and working to undo systemic racism, which impacts our clients, our colleagues, our community and our country. We will use the framework and infrastructure of the Inclusion Council for our educational and policy efforts to keep us true to the goal of racial justice.

Women Affinity Group Mission:

Safe space to discuss issues of gender-based discrimination, intersectionality, misogyny, and brainstorm responses to discrimination, highlight the strengths of being a woman, and discuss past and current events/issues impacting women.

Work to Do Mission:

To foster and cultivate a unified atmosphere for staff of color to strengthen, build and celebrate our unique and extraordinary accomplishments and to give back to our community. Our group is open to all of those who are willing to give more than take and to learn and grow by keeping an open mind and heart. We have a lot of work to do.

Working Parents Support Group (Formerly Single Parents) Mission:

Be a support group for parents to air their issues; Possibly get suggestions for assistance with issues arising when working during pandemic and other situations; Social gatherings; virtual gatherings; sharing of family and time friendly recipes; To post suggestions and events for children/families;

Jewish Staff Affinity Group:

To connect with other Jewish staff to discuss our Jewish identities, the office’s DEI work, and ways that we can act as allies to our other colleagues.

Somos Unidos – We Are United:

To establish a community of staff/volunteers at LSHV who are of Latin American descent and foster an network that will educate, uplift and bring light to our various cultures from different countries in Latin America to staff at LSHV. Our group is open to everyone in the agency who wants to learn and connect with the Latin American cultures we have at LSHV.