MLAC Diversity Coalition2011 Year in Review

Presented byJoyce Allen-BeckfordDirector Diversity CoalitionDecember 15, 2011

2011 Highlights

•Managed Retention Task Force project

•Co-facilitated SCCLS Merger & Priority Setting retreat

•Hosted annual Attorneys of Color retreat

•Presented to PDs on cross cultural mentoring

•DCSAC updates

•Other

Retention Task Force Project

November 2010 to June 2011Goals:

▫Determine the reasons for the disparate effects on AOC’s during layoffs

▫Propose a specific set of recommendations to address findings

▫Design an effective mechanism to ensure that recommendations are implemented

Additional RTF goals

•Draft a guiding statement of principals

•Compile Legal Services Best Practices on recruitment, hiring & retention of AOC’s

•Develop policy recommendations

•Utilize members to champion RTF principles

RTF goals continued

•Gather historical AOC hiring and attrition data so that legal services can evaluate recommendations in context

•Research relevant laws that could/would affect how union contracts are worded

•Compile a report for MLAC that includes policy and recommendations that would

be monitored by MLAC to ensure accountability

Current status of RTF report

•Writing committee shared draft with all RTF members, committee will soon meet to discuss feedback

•Draft report will then go to stake holders for their feedback

•RTF Final Recommendations will be presented to MLAC Board in February

SCCLS Merger & Priority Setting Retreat

Planned & co-facilitated a post merger retreat to:

▫Improve organizational effectiveness▫Improve team communication▫Build skills for navigating, managing and

resolving differences▫Increase cultural competence▫Create a more respectful, inclusive,

collegial environment

Retreat feedback

•Collaboration with colleagues; sense of community unifying one common goal

•Hearing from and getting perspectives from staff throughout program

• Getting to know the staff better – I am too “absent” and or distant from too much of what they all do!”

Hosted annual AOC RetreatMorning: Guest Speaker Judge Richard J.

Chin ▫ Associate Justice of the Mass Superior

Court.

▫First Asian American judge in Massachusetts courts.

▫During law school he, together with three law students, founded the Chinatown Outreach Project

Afternoon: RTF update

Cross Cultural Mentoring conversation with PD’s

•At the 2010 annual retreat AOC identified the need for mentoring as one avenue to aid in retention

•Attended two PD meetings to present the idea, and discuss how to best implement a mentoring program

•The decision was made - to postpone formalizing plans for a mentoring program until, after the RTF recommendations are final

Other DCSAC updates•All five short goals were achieved within

projected time frame

•The DCSAC membership and focus has increased dramatically

•The focus is now on the first of two long term goals:▫ Recruitment, hiring and retention of AOC ▫The RTF recommendation will provide the

framework to focus on achieving this goal

Other

•Assisted with monitoring Statewide programs

•Member of panel to present Cultural Competence Training for Pro Bono Advocates at Boston Bar Association

•Member MLAC Strategic Plan taskforce: Leadership Transition Task Force

•Member of Committee to draft MLAC ED Transition Plan

Preview 2012

•Complete Retention Task Force project

•Support programs in adopting and implementing RTF Recommendations e.g.▫ assist programs with forming diversity

councils▫ assist programs with establishing

mentoring programs▫ assist MLAC with monitoring RTF

recommendations

•Attend MCAD Training for AAO’s

Preview 2012 continued

•Host retreat for AOC’s to meet with PD’s & Board members: RTF recommendation

•Work closely with Program Director to design a method of tracking programs’ progress in implementing RTF Recommendations

Thank You!