BACKGROUND:
Pittsfield Charter Township’s unwavering commitment to equity, since 2009, now places us as the 9th most diverse suburban community in the State of Michigan!
Even though numerous administrative initiatives have been implemented and systemized over the years, include the Guiding Principles, the Township has not officially adopted a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policy or plan. While the 2020 Preserving Pittsfield Master Plan explicitly articulates equity, along with sustainability, as the dual overarching goals of the Township, it is important for our community to adopt a formal DEI policy with specific objectives and goals.
To begin with that process, the Board, in July 2022, approved our request to work with Priceless Development Consulting to lead a five-workshop series “Dismantling Race Based Oppression: Our Role” for all Township employees. All non-Public Safety Township employees participated in this five-part workshop series in groups of approximately 25 employees for a total of twelve hours of professional development on this topic. The workshops were held between September 2022 and February 2023. The Public Safety team is currently going through a similar training with Priceless Development Consulting.
At our request, Priceless Development Consulting has provided an evaluation summary on the outcomes of this important professional development training along with a recommendation to the Township for next steps, as outlined below (also reference attachments):
- Training session for all elected officials as leaders of the organization to receive foundation knowledge of the series content and address concerns about authenticity of DEI efforts.
- Adopt usage of common agreements to utilize in dialogue throughout the organization.
- Utilize the employee intranet to maintain content, tools, and resources for new employees and for refresher trainings. (NOTE: The Employee Intranet has been updated to include materials from the “Dismantle Race Based Oppression” workshops.)
- Establish a DEI workgroup with a specific charge to develop a three-year strategic plan focused on people, processes, and products. (NOTE: All Departments reporting to the Supervisor complete annual workplans and each Department Head compiles an annual Business Plan for their department; all of which include DEI goals for 2023.)
It is my recommendation that the Board accept these recommendations so we may not only meet our overall objective of adopting an official DEI policy for Pittsfield Township but also as an important next step to address to themes emerging from the training sessions that include skepticism that change will occur and the need for guidance on navigating conversations around DEI.