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Next Meeting
September 14, 2023
10:00–11:00 a.m. EDT |
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Chair, Inspector General Sandra D. Bruce, U.S. Department of Education
Vice Chair, Inspector General Stefania Pozzi Porter, U.S. AbilityOne Commission
OIGs Represented on the Committee
AbilityOne, AmeriCorps, Amtrak, AOC, CIGIE, CNCS, CPB, DHS, DIA, DNI, DOA, DOC, DOD, DOE, DOI, DOJ, DOL, DOT, ED, EEOC, EXIM, FCA, FDIC, FEC, FHFA, FRB & CFPB, GSA, HHS, HUD, NARA, NASA, NEA, NEH, NGA, NRO, NSA, NSF, OPM, PBGC, PRAC, SBA, SEC, SIGTARP, Smithsonian, SSA, State, Treasury, USAID, USDA, USPS, VA
For more information about the Committee mission, members, and resources, check out the CIGIE Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee website.
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Message from the Chair and Vice Chair
Practice makes progress. Don’t you love that? Such an improvement over “practice makes perfect,” because who wants perfect? Perfect means that you can’t do any better; you can’t learn more, experience more, add more value, but that’s just not what we’re about—and that’s not what DEIA is about, either. Every day we have a new opportunity to improve, in all things that we do.
As we celebrate 3 years of our DEIA committee, we think back to when our working group first began with a mission to “affirm, advance, and augment CIGIE’s commitment to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce and workplace environment,” and through our efforts, we practice that every day. And what progress we have made! At our last DEIA Committee meeting, we shared a video highlighting our achievements over the last 3 years—achievements that would not have been possible were it not for the participation and commitment of everyone in the OIG community—all of us—working together. It’s incredible to see how much we have achieved in a short time (you can see some of our accomplishments here).
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It also gives us an opportunity to reflect on our own OIG careers. We consider what was right or acceptable to us 5, 10, or even 15 years ago. So much has changed! And our featured topic in our July meeting reminded us that it’s been only 75 years since women were legally allowed to serve in the armed forces. Through a video created by the U.S. Air and Space Forces, we saw what that has meant for women. A lot of progress has been made, but there is so much more to do, so we continue to practice. And the great news is we’re not resting on our laurels, as progress means keeping moving forward.
And that’s that exactly what we’re doing! Over the next few weeks, we will be launching some very exciting products.
This includes a cover for our “Compendium of Office of Inspector General Reports Related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.” Volume 1 showcases the DEIA-focused work that the OIG community has completed from FYs 2014 through 2021. We’ll be issuing Volume 2, covering FYs 2021 through 2023. We will also issue the OIG community’s first-ever “Equity Toolkit for Oversight Work,” filled with resources for all OIGs to assist with equity considerations in audits, inspections and evaluations, investigations, reviews, and other projects that we work on. Watch for a DEIA Shop Talk on Thursday, November 2, from noon to 1:15 p.m. eastern where we will discuss the Toolkit. And last but certainly not least, the updated “Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: A Roadmap for Offices of Inspectors General,” including a new section on Accessibility and an updated Safe and Harassment-Free Workplaces section. We are on track to issue the updated roadmap in the coming weeks and cannot wait for everyone to see it!
Still more exciting news to share, the Recruitment, Development, and Recognition Subcommittee is working on two exciting projects. First, they will be hosting another CIGIE Career Job Fair on Wednesday, November 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. eastern at the Department of Labor (200 Constitution Ave. NW), providing an opportunity for all OIGs to highlight their offices and promote career opportunities and internships with students, recent grads, and other professionals in the D.C. area. Contact Tysan Williams by September 30 to secure your free exhibit space. Second, they are making two 3-minute videos. The first video is an animated informational video about the intricacies of an Office of Inspector General. The second video is a college recruitment video to increase awareness and opportunities within the OIG community. See the section "In Case You Missed It" below for more information!
And is there more? Of course! We are planning another hybrid in person and remote CIGIE DEIA meeting in October—our first hybrid meeting was held in July at the Department of Education, and it was good practice! If you’re able, be sure to try to attend. We so look forward to collaborating in person with some of the other amazing agencies that comprise our Committee. So please keep an eye on your email for more on these exciting products and events!
Now enough from us—let’s get into this issue of The Ally, where OIG staff from different agencies, career levels, backgrounds, and experiences continue to provide information and insight on DEIA—including an “Our Voices” column from one of our community members who reminds us that positive words matter, and that the impact of positive affirmations is powerful no matter our season.
It’s a joy to continue to practice DEIA with all of you. Thank you so much for all that you do!
—Sandra and Stefania
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Our Voices: Hearing from Our Community
You Are What You Say You Are: Self Affirmations
Adelle Harris, Special Agent in Charge, NASA OIG
A few years ago, Forbes vowed to no longer use the word “minority” to identify or classify races of people. I wish the news would have caught on like wildfire. A minority refers to a number not a person. To quote, the Forbes article—there is nothing minor about people. It often makes me cringe to think of the number of children who take in language designed to minimize their gifts and beauty. Luckily, my boys are prepared.
Every weekday morning, my sons pile into the backseat of our car, and we head off on their journey to school. Along the way, one kiddo recites 25 affirmations, while the other brother repeats it. After 25, they switch roles and recite and repeat 25 more. “I make the world a better place…No matter how hard it is I can do it…I forgive myself for my mistakes” and so on. Both of my sons are under age 10, and already, there is enough imagery and messaging on television, online, and in school to counter what they tell themselves every morning. However, we make sure they know that what you tell yourself WILL manifest. If you speak your goals, your desires, your character into existence, no one else can define YOU for you.
My motivations may differ from others, but evidence shows that there are benefits to affirming yourself. Self-affirmations can:
- Decrease health-deteriorating stress and rumination
- Increase positive physical behaviors
- Help us to perceive otherwise “threatening” messages with less resistance
- Help increase positive academic achievements
Whether it is to arm yourself against negative messaging or to encourage you to make positive changes—start affirming yourself TODAY!
These are kid-centered and family-friendly affirmations that I have used:
Other sources:
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 Committee Happenings
July Meeting
In July, we observed the 75th Anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which was signed into law on June 12, 1948, by President Harry Truman, allowing women to serve in all branches of the United Staes armed forces. A video roundtable featuring female military members was aired, which addressed all the women have faced, all they have overcome, and all they have yet to conquer. Watch the US Air & Space Forces Women’s Roundtable for more.
August Meeting
In August, the committee celebrated its third year of success, which included the following:
- becoming a committee,
- updating the Roadmap,
- surveying the OIG community,
- providing numerous resources and news updates,
- hosting impactful external and internal speakers,
- presenting Shop Talk events, and
- holding the first CIGIE job fair at the Department of Transportation OIG.
It's been a wonderful year! Congratulations, DEIA Committee!
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 Observances
Below are highlights of some of the observances we’ve celebrated since our last issue. For a list of additional observances throughout the year, see this calendar.
July
Disability Pride Month
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For 33 years, July has been an important month for the disability community
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A time for all disabled people to unapologetically celebrate their bodies as they are
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Want to enhance your DEIA competence? Learn about ableism and disability first language. Also, read books by disabled authors
French-American Heritage Month
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Established to honor the significant contributions made to the country by people of French descent.
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About 11.8 million Americans of French or French Canadian descent live and work in the United States, with about 2 million of those speaking French at home.
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Check out this video for more information on celebrating French American heritage.
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Learn about the history of why many African American artists moved to Paris in the 1920s.
August
August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
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The United Nations defines indigenous peoples as “inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic, and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live.”
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More than 350 million indigenous people live in 90 countries. They represent 5,000 different cultures and about 7,000 languages.
- This event is used to advocate for the rights of indigenous populations and bring awareness to the needs of those populations.
August 19: World Humanitarian Day
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On August 19, 2003, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 22 of his colleagues were killed by a suicide bombing at the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad. Five years later, U.N. designated August 19th as World Humanitarian Day to recognize the work of Vieira de Mello, U.N. humanitarian workers, and all other personnel who work to promote humanitarianism.
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The day commemorates all humanitarians who have lost their lives in the line of duty while supporting humanitarian efforts.
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Watch the inspiring World Humanitarian Day 2023 #NoMatterWhat Campaign introduction video.
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 In Case You Missed It
The Recruitment, Development, and Recognition Subcommittee is in the process of making two 3-minute videos. The first video is an animated informational video that will explain what OIGs are, how they works, and why they are significant to the American taxpayer.
The second video is a college recruitment video that OIG recruiters can use as a recruitment tool to increase awareness of opportunities within the OIG community in hopes of attracting talented current and recent college students. The video will include Inspectors General highlighting aspects of an OIG career. The video will also highlight several OIG employees discussing a project they've worked on. It will also highlight the diverse backgrounds and positions in the OIG community. Each participant will wear their college alma mater shirt. Finally, the video will display a collage of photos of employees within the OIG community. We would like everyone in the IG community to participate by sending in photos. Stay tuned for more information on where to send your photos.
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We want to hear from you!
Share your stories with us! Everyone in the OIG community is encouraged to submit photos, stories, or ideas for future issues. Contact The Ally team by emailing joy.stith@ed.gov and dorona.chappelle@ed.gov with your submissions, ideas, or feedback! Submissions for our next issue are due October 6.
Newsletter staff: Traci L. Taylor, DOI OIG; Katie Balestra, DOI OIG; Nancy Brown, HHS OIG; Mari Farthing, ED OIG; Adelle Harris, NASA OIG; Jina Hwang, FRB/CFPB OIG; Nicole Matthis, State OIG; Jillisa Hope Milner, ED OIG.
Viewing this as an email and want to share it? At the top of the email, click on "View this as a Web page." You can then copy and paste that link to share with anyone or post on your office intranet. Thanks for your support!
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