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ORR Team,
Autumn, for me, used to be a sad time of year because it meant my favorite season—Summer—had come to an end. I’d dread the gray, overcast skies and cold temps. My, how times have changed because this is the first year that I can recall ever welcoming Fall. There is a certain coziness to the season after all. The warm coloring of leaves falling and pumpkins on stoops in quaint, little towns existing as the modern backdrop of a by-gone era; not to mention hot beverages and oven-baked dishes that I wouldn’t dare imagine in the summertime. But what does any of this have to do with fairness and FEMA? Well, this time of year can mean something different to each of us. There are holidays of cultural significance, religious festivities, and remembrance. November is National Native American Heritage Month, and is also home to Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and a host of memories and reflections that can stoke varying degrees of emotions. Nearly two years later, our Nation is still dealing with the impacts of a global pandemic and all the while longing for a sense of normality. What’s fair is to be open to change, be willing to accept what challenges tradition, check pre-judgment at the door and embrace the needs of fellow colleagues, disaster survivors, and community partners. As the saying goes, “when there’s a will, there’s a way." Let us truly live out our core values this season. We are FEMA.
– Jameelah Haynes Program Analyst, Public Assistance Division, Recovery Directorate, Office of Response and Recovery
To download FEMA Core Values resources for distribution and training, go to FEMA Pub 1 - We are FEMA! Intranet Site
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This month's Staff Spotlight goes out to Mary Anne Lyle!
I am nominating Mary Anne Lyle, Chief, Guidance Development Office, Interagency Coordination Division as someone who exemplifies all of FEMA’s Core Values in everything she does for everyone she encounters each day. As my Chief, her mentorship and guidance has always been rooted in fairness which allows myself and others to shine bright. She treats everyone on our team impartially, always there when we need with an unbiased ear, and ensures we all have access to what we need for our responsibilities and professional development. I do believe her acts of fairness cascade through each of us, making not only our workplace fair and equitable, but also in the way we deliver assistance to those who need us. Thank you, Mary Anne!
– Angelina Leger Guidance Development Office, Interagency Coordination Division, Recovery Directorate
Would you like to nominate a colleague who exemplifies FEMA Core Values? Email FEMA-ORR-CoreValues-Team@fema.dhs.gov for more information.
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FEMA Core Value: Fairness is treating everyone impartially, offering unbiased and consistent assistance, and ensuring equal access to resources and tools.
What does Fairness mean to me?
Fairness is defined as the quality or state of being fair; fair or impartial treatment; lack of favoritism toward one side or another. If we lived life being fair, everyone would be happy and there would be no signs of impartiality. No one would feel like they were being picked on, forgotten about, or viewed as not qualified. In other words, the world would be a much better place to live.
Now skipping to reality for a second. If fairness is impartial treatment, why are we all not aware of this precious act that only takes a second to be unselfish? Do people really have such no regard for another human being that someone must feel they are being treated unfairly?
A friend once told me that they witnessed many people being treated unfairly at his place of work. Management seemed to make coming to work a horrible task for some people. Time and time again he wondered, “Why?” Do staff go home at night, call each other on the phone to plan, plot, and scheme against certain employees – treating them unfairly? How awful an environment can be if people feel they are not treated like others who receive fair treatment!
Fairness is an action that does not take much of a person to display to others. When out on a disaster or taking calls from disaster survivor’s, FEMA employees must help survivors without discriminating against their circumstances. If we can do this for them, we can also do this with our fellow employees, friends, family, and strangers.
A quote I ran across a while ago from Wes Fesler states: “Fairness is man’s ability to rise above his prejudices.” Treating people as we want to be treated shows an act of fairness that is possible for all of us.
– Monique Alexander Program Specialist | National Watch Center | FEMA Response
Would you like to share what FEMA Core Values means to you? Email FEMA-ORR-CoreValues-Team@fema.dhs.gov for more information.
9 Ways To Promote Workplace Equity Alongside Diversity and Inclusion
Organizations must have a forward-thinking ideology and set their aim towards fostering an equitable future for their employees. This article discusses a brief study of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), looked at the distinction between equity and equality, and also mentioned seven great tips to promote equity in the workplace.
Read full article here: https://blog.vantagecircle.com/workplace-equity/
Culture Improvement Site Launches for Employees
FEMA remains committed to understanding your lived experience in the workplace and promoting a professional, diverse, and respectful environment. We’ve released a second edition of the "Culture Improvement Action Plan" and a SharePoint site for you to find information about what we are doing across the agency and what you can do to help improve our culture and ensure our workplace is free of harassment and discrimination.
Explore the Culture Improvement site.
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Learn How to Provide Accessible Documents
To ensure full inclusion of people with disabilities, it is important to plan for, develop and provide accessible documents. The Section 508 Program is conducting weekly webinars on accessibility topics for electronic documents posted to a FEMA Website or shared with others.
Topics include: Microsoft Office, Adobe PDF documents, basic steps required to make an electronic document Section 508-conformant and accessible, and how to check your document for compliance.
To register for a webinar, please visit the Section 508 Training Calendar or contact the FEMA Accessibility Help Desk. Visit the 508 Accessibility Resource Center for additional information.
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7 Exceptional Examples of Equity in the Workplace
Organizations committed to positive change in today’s working culture are taking action-oriented steps towards better diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Diversity in the workplace is already a familiar concept to forward-thinking companies. But in recent years, increased awareness around social exclusions faced by people from marginalized backgrounds has prompted the term “equity” to be at the forefront of conversations around diversity and inclusion.
Read full article here: https://www.instride.com/insights/examples-equity-in-the-workplace/
Dimensions of Leadership: Fairness
Fairness is one of the strongest dynamics in an effective workplace. It promotes harmony, good will and a sense of equity among colleagues. A leader who practices fairness learns about the strengths and talents of the team members and works to engage them. They seek to gain perspective from as many others as they can.
Read full article here: Dimensions of Leadership: Fairness (legacycultures.com)
The Advantages of Equity in the Workplace
Equity in a workplace means everyone receives respectful and dignified treatment. There's a transparency to cause and effect, and everyone knows what to expect in terms of consequences and rewards. When equity exists, people have equal access to opportunities.
Read full article here: https://work.chron.com/advantages-equity-workplace-2635.html
Native American Heritage Month
Every President since 1995 has issued annual proclamations designating the month of November as the time to celebrate the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of people who were the first inhabitants of the United States. America is a vast land of many cultures dating back thousands of years to the original inhabitants of the land. History, heritage, or culture of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians are part of every national park and communities across the country today.
The theme for 2021 is “Resilient and Enduring: We Are Native People.” Resilience speaks to the heart of what we do here at FEMA. In celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, and to broaden your understanding and knowledge, please join FEMA’s Tribal Affairs Employee Resource Group, in collaboration with the Office of Equal Rights, for a virtual celebration on:
Thursday, November 18th, 2021, from 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET.
- Meeting ID: 161 624 8143
- Link: fema.zoomgov.com/j/1616248143
- Password: 211785
- Dial In (if needed): 669-254-5252 or 646-828-7666
- Cart captioning & ASL will be available
For more information on Native American Heritage month:
National Native American Heritage Month
https://www.pbs.org/specials/native-american-heritage-month/
https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/
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November 11: Veterans Day
Veterans Day is observed on November 11 and preserves the historical significance of the date (originally Armistice Day following WWI). The purpose of this day is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
For more info: https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
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November 19: Dedication Day
President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was just over 250 words long and was delivered at the site of the bloodiest battle in American history, during a war that cost more American lives than all other wars combined. It is considered one of the greatest political speeches of all time, explaining America’s critical challenges in their historical context succinctly while paying tribute to the men who had died in the face of those challenges.
2021 Schedule: November 18, 19, 20
November 19 marks the anniversary of the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg. The Gettysburg National Cemetery is famous throughout the world today as the site of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered at the cemetery's dedication ceremonies four and a half months after the battle. Numerous events take place each year to commemorate this monumental anniversary.
Schedule: Dedication Day Events - Gettysburg National Military Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/gettysburg-address
https://lincolnfellowship.wildapricot.org/Dedication-Day
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What is #GivingTuesday?
For many charities, it's the day where they receive the largest influx of donations! #GivingTuesday was established by the United Nations and NYC-based charities in 2012, and has since taken off. It always falls on the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving, as a charitable response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday; this year, it falls on November 30.
For more info: https://givecfc.org/.
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FEMA is committed to maintaining a workforce that reflects our Nation’s rich diversity and capitalizes on the varied cultural, professional, and ethnic backgrounds of our workforce and those we serve. The commitment to diversity and inclusion requires creating sustainable programs and initiatives to ensure the retention of a diverse and inclusive workforce.
In addition to the programs sponsored by the Office of the Chief Component Human Capital Officer (OCCHCO), the Office of Equal Rights (OER), and the Inclusive Diversity Council (IDC), FEMA formalized the policies and procedures for FEMA Employee Resource Groups (FERGs).
FERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups that serve as a resource for FEMA employees to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with FEMA’s mission and values. FERGs will assist with recruitment and outreach events; organize networking and mentoring opportunities; and host commemorative, cultural, educational, and social events. FERGs offer a valuable mechanism to foster innovation, facilitate communication between employees and senior leaders, and provide employee development opportunities.
The successful implementation of FERGs require the active support of senior leaders. Each FERG must be sponsored by a Senior Executive Service member and two co-sponsors to manage FERG activities. All employees are encouraged to participate in a FERG to help FEMA achieve its diversity and inclusion goals.
For a list of all FERGS, visit:
https://usfema.sharepoint.com/teams/OCCHCOHCI/DIEE/IDC/FERG/Pages/default.aspx
The ORR Core Values Team appreciates your participation and feedback. We want our content to be concise, interesting, and useful. Please send your comments, ideas, and content to the ORR Core Values Team inbox at: FEMA-ORR-CoreValues-Team@fema.dhs.gov
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