 |
ORR Team,
In March, we recognize and celebrate the achievements of women, women’s rights, and are also reminded of the struggle for equality around the world. We also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Ramadan, and other events; the oh-so-dreadful loss of an hour’s sleep as we Spring forward with Daylight Saving Time. In March, we would also like to highlight one of our Values—Fairness.
I joined FEMA in 2021 after returning from a U.S. Army Reserve deployment to Kuwait. While serving as the Protection Chief of the U.S. Army and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military installations, I had to be Fair—just and without discrimination—when writing and enforcing policies that impacted more than 25,000 U.S., NATO, and ally customers. Similarly, in my current position at FEMA, I and my team have to be Fair in how we treat our FEMA employees, communities, and disaster survivors. I’ve come to realize that the Army Values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Respect) apply similarly to those of FEMA. Compassion, Integrity, Fairness, and Respect coincide closely with, and respective of the duties and missions that we continue to support. Whether our mission(s) include constructing schools, roadways, and water treatment facilities in third world, war-stricken countries, or selflessly assisting those in our own communities in times of need before, during, and after disasters, let’s be Fair in our approach and actions and continue to exemplify those commitments to the Values that are justly expected of us.
Thank you for all you do each and every day and as I still tell my soldiers, whatever it takes, failure is not an option. Keep strong, check in with your yourself every once in a while or as often as you need, and thank you for your commitment to service and our values.
Marin Nikolov, Ph.D. I Core Values Program
To download FEMA Core Values resources for distribution and training, go to FEMA Pub 1 - We are FEMA! Intranet Site
|
 |
The FEMA Core Values are the foundation of who we are, and we must be devoted to demonstrating these principles in everything we do. It is a priority to spotlight employees who exemplify and embody our core values through the ORR Core Values Coin Awards program. Read on for more information about how to nominate your peers.
Eligibility
- All ORR employees at Headquarters, in Regional Offices, and in the field are eligible
- All nominations must be submitted by 5:00 pm EST on the 15th of every month
- Teams may be nominated when all members contributed equally to displaying a core value
Nomination Process
- Complete the Core Values Coin Awards Nomination form
- Name the file using this file naming convention: Core Values Category, nominee’s last name or team name; office, region, or disaster number (e.g., Compassion-Smith-Region5.pdf)
Email the completed form to FEMA-ORR-CoreValues-Team@fema.dhs.gov by 5:00 pm ET on the 15th of every month.
Award winners will be announced monthly in the ORR Core Values Chronicle. If you don’t already receive the ORR Core Values Chronicle, you may sign up here. Should you have any questions, please email FEMA-ORR-CoreValues-Team@fema.dhs.gov.
|
March's Recipients
It is with great pleasure that we announce the recipients of the ORR Core Values Coin Awards for March 2023! ORR thanks you for your continuous commitment to FEMA’s core values and contributing to making FEMA a safe, trusting, and positive work environment.
Fairness:
-
Savannah Mitchell and Ebony Davis for developing the Responder Mobilization Section’s first ever Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. One of this new committee projects is the creation of a polling survey to gauge team knowledge on specific equity topics as well as discussing new ideas to improve the section's remote and in-person workspace. The committee will be creating informational slides and thinking outside the box of ways to grow and improve equitable and inclusive employee treatment.
Compassion:
-
DR-4685-GA DSA Crew 6 for the compassion they showed disaster survivors in Georgia. They made sure no felt forgotten by going door-to-door and sharing information on the types of assistance FEMA offers and by simply taking the time to listen to their stories. (Team Members: Scott Humphries, Errin Stone, Heather Anderson, Vickie De Leon, Regine Rabel, Nick La Cour, Maria Gonzalez-Rojas, Abigael Morency-Kernisant).
-
Raquel Luna for the empathy she displayed as she helped communities in Puerto Rico recover from the devastation of Hurricane Fiona. Through her support with DRC operations in Ponce, over 12,000 survivors were able to register for Federal assistance following the storm. Raquel’s compassion for disaster survivor’s along with her skill sets were noticed by the JFO Log Section Chief, which resulted in being named the team lead for DRC setup operations.
Integrity:
-
Ashley Walker for how she stepped up as a Team Lead during a time when morale was low. By making everyone felt heard, understood, and most of all, appreciated, she brought her team closer together to conquer the challenges they were facing. She is a true leader who leads by example. Her team’s passion and hard work remain in full force due to her continued example.
-
Vernae Childrey for her actions prior to and immediately following a tornado that struck THSS Selma. Her positive attitude, attention to detail, and ability to work with others in her roles as the Deputy Site manager, acting APO, and Safety Officer has been instrumental to getting THSS Selma up and running and prepared for the long road of recovery.
-
Charles Goodwin for how he epitomizes this core value each day in the execution of his duties as the Deputy Director for the largest division within the Logistic Management Directorate, the Distribution Management Division. He demonstrates a high level of honesty and transparency that leads to others feeling supported, appreciated, and respected.
After emancipation freed their ancestors, the residents of Ironton, Louisiana, lived in poverty for generations near the Gulf Shore. They were slow to receive modern services. Running water only came to town in the early 1980s. Hurricane Katrina and a succession of other storms damaged Ironton, but when Hurricane Ida hit in August 2021, Ironton was nearly wiped out. The future looked bleak.
Residents were faced with a tough choice. Some thought they should move away from the flood-prone area. Most yearned to stay near their roots and were resolute they would not be forced out. Then FEMA Equity Office representatives, empowered by new FEMA initiatives, arrived to speak with community leaders. When they heard more about the situation, these equity specialists enlisted the Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) cadre to assist in the effort for Ironton to become more resilient.
Over time, the IRC cadre built trust and provided meeting places as the residents chose leaders to move them into self-sufficiency.
The work they did was possible because of partnerships they built along the way. IRC members helped the new Ironton Recovery and Development Committee (IRAD) file the paperwork to become a nonprofit organization. With paperwork in hand, IRAD opened a bank account and received its first funding. The Foundation for Louisiana (FFL) became IRAD’s fiscal sponsor.
The Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) School of Social Work, put together teams of faculty and students committed to provide mental health counseling and train-the-trainer workshops in Ironton. SUNO’s African American studies program plan to lead an oral history project, not only to capture living history but as a therapeutic intervention in the recovery process.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center administrators and faculty met with IRAD to discuss health services support – both in-person and using a telehealth platform. They determined this is a vital need for their community members.
The culmination of efforts led to a successful peer engagement where these communities, with shared characteristics, could network and learn from one another.
Release of the new FEMA Guide to Community Engagement
Equitable and inclusive community engagement is critical to FEMA’s mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters. As the agency prioritizes equity, FEMA has developed A Guide to Community Engagement to help our employees understand the importance of community-based partnerships to achieve equitable and inclusive outreach. This guide reflects the goals and objectives in the 2022–2026 FEMA Strategic Plan and complements the newly released FEMA Guide to Equitable Policymaking. The recommendations included throughout are informed by academic research, community input gathered through regional roundtable discussions, and insights from the FEMA workforce. This guide includes principles of community engagement and other key components to building lasting, effective partnerships.
We encourage all to read the guide on our new Community Engagement SharePoint Site. The site offers additional resources, recommended readings and trainings, a photo library, and community engagement success stories from across the agency.
Release of the Ready FEMA Framework
In the 2022 APG, the FEMA Administrator called for the creation of the Ready FEMA Framework. This foundational document establishes a unified approach to building capacity and prioritizing resources to ensure our responders have what they need to support our interagency partners and disaster survivors. The Framework establishes an enterprise approach to readiness and provides an overview of the FEMA Readiness System, a cyclical, five-phase process modeled upon the National Preparedness System that includes a methodology to assess FEMA’s readiness to deliver critical Agency-specific capabilities in alignment with the National Capability Targets.
The Framework is the first step in building the FEMA Readiness System. Over the next year, the Readiness Enterprise Steering Group will convene working groups to engage components for subject matter expertise. To read more, visit:
https://usfema.sharepoint.com/sites/oai/sl/sitepages/ready%20fema%20framework.aspx
Mentors Aren't Enough: What Women Need to Advance
With many organizations making equity a key priority in their environmental, social and governance (ESG) programs, women are watching to see if it emerges as more than just a buzzword. Working toward gender parity in leadership is the right thing to do for women -- and it’s good for business.
Women and underrepresented communities want greater equity in leadership roles. According to Gallup’s most recent data, one in two women report diversity and inclusion as a very important factor in their decision to take a job. Having women in leadership increases engagement and proves that an organization’s values are real. And attracting and retaining talented, high-performing employees takes more than competitive pay -- for women, it requires investment in their growth.
To read more, visit: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/471287/mentors-aren-enough-women-need-advance.aspx
Donate Leave to Employees Affected by Severe Winter Storms
An Emergency Leave Transfer Program (ELTP) has been established for employees adversely affected by the California winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides, for the incident period that began on Dec. 27, 2022. Under an ELTP, employees may donate annual or restored annual leave to employees of the same or other agencies who are severely affected or have family members who have been severely impacted by this incident.
The employee or their family member is severely impacted if the disaster or emergency has caused loss of life or property, serious injury, or mental illness as a result of a direct threat to life or health. An emergency leave recipient may use donated annual leave to assist an affected family member, provided that the family member has no reasonable access to other forms of assistance.
An employee may voluntarily submit a request that a specified number of hours be transferred from their annual leave or restored annual leave account to the ELTP bank(s). Donors may not donate to a specific emergency leave recipient.
Application Process
Employees who are affected and want to become an ELTP recipient must:
An employee who is unable to apply on his or her own may apply through a personal representative.
The employee will receive a notification or determination from OCHCO within 10 business days.
Donations
An employee may voluntarily submit a request through WebTA to transfer hours from their accrued annual leave to the ELTP bank.
- Donors may not donate to a specific emergency leave recipient.
- The donor may not contribute less than 1 hour or more than 104 hours of annual leave in a leave year to the ELTP.
- An emergency leave recipient may receive a maximum of 240 hours of donated annual leave at any one time from the ELTP.
For additional guidance and assistance, contact the Payroll and Compensation Branch at FEMA-HC-Payroll@fema.dhs.gov.
Employee Appreciation Day in the Puerto Rico Joint Recovery Office
The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as one wants to be treated. Various expressions of this rule can be found in the tenets of most religions and creeds through the ages. It can be considered an ethic of reciprocity in some religions, although different religions treat it differently.
The maxim may appear as a positive or negative injunction governing conduct:
- Treat others as you would like others to treat you (positive or directive form)
- Do not treat others in ways that you would not like to be treated (negative or prohibitive form)
- What you wish upon others, you wish upon yourself (empathetic or responsive form)
Why is the Golden Rule not enough?
The Golden Rule says that you should treat people the way you want to be treated. The problem with that is that maybe I don’t want to be treated the way you want to be treated. Instead, it would be wise to treat people the way they want to be treated. You can do this by asking questions and acknowledging our differences.
- How to support and put into action, Fairness:
- Remember that everyone’s personal story matters.
- Listen to each other without interrupting.
- Attend training on how to understand unconscious biases.
- Have conversations with your colleagues about the topic of diversity to break down barriers and build connections.
- Attend conferences on the topics of diversity, equality, and gender. Ask yourself how you can become more educated on gender issues.
- Remember that we can be each other's allies, not adversaries.
- Know that it’s OK to have these conversations with each other to make sure everyone is being treated fairly.
- Reflect on whether you treat your male and female colleagues equally. For example, “Would I have said that same thing to a male colleague?”
- Get involved in employee resource groups.
- Reward others and give praise when you see someone acting in a way that supports diversity and fairness.
Note: It’s always OK to speak up for others who don’t have a voice, and it’s always OK to ask when you don’t know about a topic. Let's support each other and be fair.
Read: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/how-workplace-fairness-affects-employee-commitment/
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyj22-yynw8
Get Access to Solution-Focused Counseling
As part of your federal employee work-life services, you have access to licensed or credentialed professional counselors who will provide virtual and face-to-face, short-term counseling to employees and family members.
https://usfema.sharepoint.com/news/sitepages/solutionfocusedcounseling.aspx
36 Activities To Celebrate Women's History Month
Women's History Month is a time to confront the injustices that plague women, as well as a time to celebrate and rejoice in our shared humanity as women. Check out this article to learn some facts about Women's History Month and activities to help you learn more about the experiences of all women every single day!
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/how-to-celebrate-womens-history-month
Women's History Month
Check out this link for resources and events that commemorate and encourage the study, observance, and celebration of the viral role of women in American history. These events have been coordinated by the Library of Congress, The National Archives, the National Endowment of the Humanities, the National Gallery of Art, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
https://womenshistorymonth.gov/
Change Leadership: How to Lead Change Effectively
Change leadership is the proactive and people-centric approach to change management, visualizing change initiatives as an opportunity for organizational growth and improvement rather that a finite project. Read this article to learn more about change leadership how to make a difference as a leader, and tips to be a successful change leader!
https://whatfix.com/blog/change-leadership/
9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2023 and Beyond
In 2022, leaders had to deal with an unpredictable environment, higher employee turnover, and burned-out employees. It is predicted that in 2023 organizations will continue to face significant challenges. Read this article to learn of trends that will shape work in 2023!
https://hbr.org/2023/01/9-trends-that-will-shape-work-in-2023-and-beyond
 |
Women's History Month
Women’s History Month is a dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women to United States history. From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, the timeline of women’s history milestones stretches back to the founding of the United States. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The U.S. Congress followed suit the next year, passing a resolution establishing a national celebration. Six years later, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March.
Established in 2011, the Women’s Forum ensures women are fully represented and engaged in our workplace. The group’s mission is to partner across the agency to engage, educate, and empower FEMA employees to advance the interests of all women and those impacted by women's concerns and topics. To learn more about additional events, visit the Women’s Forum or the Office of Equal Rights SharePoint page.
To learn more, visit: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/womens-history-month
|
Irish-American Heritage Month
The U.S. Congress designated March as Irish American Heritage Month in 1991 and the president issues a proclamation commemorating the occasion each year. This month we recognize not only the overcoming of anti-immigrant obstacles by early Irish-Americans but also the incredible breadth and depth of their contributions to American society, from the Union’s edge over the Confederacy in the Civil War to the intellectual contributions that have kept our country on the top tiers of accomplishment.
To learn more, visit: https://nationaltoday.com/irish-american-heritage-month/
|
Office of Equal Rights Hosts Lunch with a Leader Series
Sponsored by the Office of Equal Rights (OER), Lunch with a Leader is an opportunity to engage directly with FEMA executives in an informal setting, to learn about the great work being done throughout our organization, and to engage with colleagues.
Sessions alternate between 12:30 ET and 3:30 ET to allow employee participation across time zones. Bring your lunch, bring your questions and meet someone new.
Lunch with a Leader opportunities in March:
- Mission Support Associate Administrator Eric Leckey
12:30 p.m. ET on March 8.
- Director of Equal Rights Leslie Saucedo
12:30 p.m. ET on March 15.
- Mission Support Deputy Associate Administrator Tami Franklin
3:30 p.m. ET on March 15.
- Director of National Assessments, Integration and Individual Preparedness Joel Doolin
12:30 p.m. ET on March 21.
Each virtual lunch is limited to a small group of employees, to encourage open dialogue. Attendees are confirmed on a first come, first served basis. To accommodate as many employees as possible, OER may limit your participation to just one session.
To RSVP, email FEMA-EqualRights@fema.dhs.gov. In one email, indicate all of the sessions you would like to join. Only email once – you will receive a reply back to you IF you are confirmed.
If you need a reasonable accommodation, include your Reasonable Accommodation request with your RSVP. The meeting information will be provided if you are confirmed.
Note: reservists in a non-deployed status will not be compensated for participation.
|
March 8: International Women's Day
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren't enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.
To learn more, visit: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/theme#
|
March 15: Ides of March
Julius Caesar, dictator of Rome, is stabbed to death in the Roman Senate house by 60 conspirators led by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus on March 15. The day later became infamous as the Ides of March.
|
March 17: St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. Since around the ninth or 10th century, people in Ireland have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick on March 17. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place not in Ireland but in America, in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. As Irish immigrants spread out over the United States, other cities developed their own traditions, like Chicago’s annual dyeing of the Chicago River green.
To learn more, visit: https://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/history-of-st-patricks-day
|
March 21: National Rosie the Riveter Day
Acknowledging the important role women played on the home front during World War II, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives designated the March 21 date as National Rosie the Riveter Day. Rosie The Riveter is based on a real person, but she represents the “everywoman” who supported the war effort through labor, attitude, and willingness to serve.
To learn more, visit: https://veteran.com/rosie-the-riveter-day/
https://blog.dol.gov/2022/03/21/celebrating-rosie-the-riveter
|
March 22: Supporting Employees’ Mental Health
Be sure to attend this quarter’s live webinar for supervisors and managers: Although research shows that there’s been a slight decrease in mental health stigma since the pandemic and that workers now feel more comfortable talking about behavioral health in the workplace, stigma still exists across all spheres of society. Whether it’s starting the conversation, providing educational opportunities, or modeling wellness, now is the time to proactively support a mentally healthy work environment. Discover how you can manage culture to improve your employees’ quality of life.
When: March 22 @ 1:00–2:00pm ET | Register Here*
*PLEASE NOTE: While registration is required to attend, it does not guarantee entry. We recommend joining early, as space is limited and access is granted on a first arrived, first admitted basis, regardless of how far in advance you register.
|
March 24 to 30: National Tsunami Awareness Week
The purpose of this week-long event is to make people aware of the impact of tsunamis, why they take place, and how to prepare for this natural hazard. The states in the U.S. that are at high risk of experiencing tsunamis include Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, California, and Washington, as they are all spread along the Pacific Coast. The U.S. Caribbean Islands are vulnerable to tsunamis too.
To learn more, visit: https://nationaltoday.com/national-tsunami-awareness-week/
|
March 29: National Vietnam War Veterans Day
This day was chosen as March 29, 1973 was the day the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. Lasting from 1955 to 1975, the Vietnam war engulfed the Southeast Asian country of Vietnam as well as its neighboring countries, Cambodia and Laos. It resulted in several million deaths, most of whom were Vietnamese civilians. Most of the veterans who came home did not receive any forms of recognition for their service - this day of observation is dedicated to their sacrifices and recognition of the trauma, stress, and hardships they endured.
To learn more, visit: https://nationaltoday.com/vietnam-veterans-day/
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/national-vietnam-war-veterans-day
|
March 30: Women in FEMA
Coordinated and sponsored by the Deputy Administrator’s Office, the end of the month culminates with a hybrid FEMA Women’s Symposium on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 10a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern via Zoom and at The National Emergency Training Center (NETC) of the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). The symposium will empower and provide women within FEMA with advice, guidance, and direction from women leaders throughout the agency who have paved the way and broken barriers as well as highlight resources and tools to assist career building.
|
March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
Transgender Day of Visibility is an international event on March 31 dedicated to recognizing the resilience and accomplishments of the transgender community while also drawing attention to the poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces.
To learn more, visit: https://lgbt.foundation/who-we-help/trans-people/trans-day-of-visibility
|
Women's History Month: Celebrating Women Through Art
The Women's Forum invites all employees to participate in a FEMA-wide art project. The vision is to have employees from across the entire FEMA enterprise (e.g., Joint Field Offices, Disaster Transition Offices, campuses, Regional and Headquarters offices) tap into their creative side or inner artist to produce and share a unique piece of artwork in celebration of the month around the theme Celebrating a Legacy of Change Agents, Pioneers and Trailblazers in Emergency Management.
People are invited to create pieces of artwork, individually or in teams, either through written word (e.g., poem), photography, painting, drawing, ceramics, or woodwork. The sky is the limit! There is no restriction on the number of art pieces submitted or the mediums used. Submissions must comport with FEMA's Standards of Conduct and be appropriate for posting on a governmental SharePoint portal. Each piece will be featured by the Women's Forum via their communication channels.
Please submit all artwork via email between Monday, February 27 and Wednesday, March 15, 2023, to fema-womens-forum@fema.dhs.gov, with a picture of the artwork, artist(s), and a short write-up explaining the piece. Family members are also welcome to participate. There is a submission form that can be used to submit the artwork.
|
FEMA Communities Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Now Have A Revised Directive
Did you know we have voluntary employee-based communities that meet routinely to help embrace and promote our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion?
These communities are called Federal Employee Resource Groups (FERG) and have been flourishing for years. They provide support, guidance, and help to foster a workplace aligned with FEMA’s Mission, Core Values, and Strategic Plan (Goal 1 - to instill equity as a foundation of Emergency Management). Members share a common interest and work to promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility within the agency and the communities we serve.
The recently revised directive establishes FEMA standards, procedures, and responsibilities for our FERGs. The Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) is leading an effort to develop additional guidance to help members implement the directive and provide a consistent pathway for establishing a FERG.
|
