The Portland metropolitan region is changing.
Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, African American and other non-white populations in the Portland region increased by roughly 55 percent in the decade ending in 2010.
As communities become more diverse, so does the need to create an inclusive workplace culture and engagement practices connecting the public to decision-making processes.
Metro's response to the growing diversity across region began in 2005 with the formation of a diversity action team to better understand individual and group differences within its workforce and to cultivate a culture of inclusivity at Metro's multiple work sites throughout the region.
That response was formalized on Nov. 15 with the adoption by Metro Council of a Diversity Action Plan for Metro's 1,554 employees.
The plan identifies goals, strategies and actions to increase diversity and cultural competence at Metro in four key areas: internal awareness and diversity sensitivity, employee recruitment and retention, committee membership and public involvement and procurement.
The path to the final adoption of the plan included a survey in 2010 of Metro employees to collect feedback on issues of diversity, a series of diversity town halls held in the spring of 2011 for employees, a rigorous review process of the draft plan with 25 different employee groups within Metro, and review of the plan by diverse community leaders. The draft plan was adapted to reflect the input from employees and community members.
In February 2012, Metro hired its first diversity program manager, Bill Tolbert, demonstrating the commitment of Metro leadership to creating a workforce and workplace culture reflective of the changing region.
Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder sponsored the resolution that called for the adoption of the plan by Metro Council. The final vote was unanimous.
"In adopting this plan, we are assuming the responsibility for maintaining this as a living document," said Burkholder. "(The plan) brings greater accountability to our decisions, our interactions, and how we convene the region to better serve our communities."