MMA’s DEI work moving forward on several tracks

The MMA is continuing to move forward with its diversity, equity and inclusion work on a number of fronts.

The MMA recently hired the Racial Equity Group to develop a strategic plan for incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion values into the practices, policies and cultures of local government.

The Racial Equity Group is starting its work with a survey of all municipalities to better understand DEI baselines, establish best practices based on needs, and create benchmarks of success. The MMA will send the Municipal DEI Best Practices Assessment Survey to chief municipal officers, municipal DEI officers and local human resource directors in early November. The survey may be filled out by any or all of the recipients, and all information will be kept confidential.

The survey results will help the Racial Equity Group assess the level of progress municipalities have made in advancing DEI, and identify potential training and resource needs for supporting municipal leaders engaging in this work, according to their level of need.

The Racial Equity Group will also be conducting five member focus groups in November and December as another mechanism for gathering information about DEI work being conducted at the local level. Invitations have been emailed to members identified to participate.

Racial Equity Group CEO Bird Guess recently conducted two DEI training sessions with the MMA’s DEI committee to provide a foundational understanding of systemic racism and the practices that have impacted people of color across Massachusetts.

DEI will also have a strong presence at the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show on Jan. 19 and 20. The opening keynote speaker will be Eddie Glaude Jr., a bestselling author, Princeton University professor and political commentator whose work helps people better understand the dynamics of race, democracy and religion in America. And Gina McCarthy, one of the nation’s most prominent voices on climate change, will discuss how climate work can provide more resources to traditionally underserved communities.

A workshop on the basics of DEI and how it can be implemented at the local level will be repeated three times during the conference to give members multiple opportunities to attend the session. Other workshops will also discuss the focus topic from a DEI perspective.

MMA member groups also continue to bring DEI topics into their in-person meetings. The Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources Fall Conference in September included a session on transgender and nonbinary inclusion in the municipal workplace, and the group addressed how human resources staff can collaborate with their DEI officers during its Labor Relations Seminar in October.