Appendix D: EWEB's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy (SD23)

Strategic Direction Policies (SD Policies)

SD23: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy

Effective Date: October 3, 2023

1. Background

EWEB acknowledges that the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are foundational to the consistent application of our values in the pursuit of our vision and fulfillment of our mission. EWEB recognizes and strives to celebrate our human differences and will ensure representation across a wide spectrum of characteristics and experiences, combat bias and discrimination that negatively impacts members of our community, and foster an inclusive culture that welcomes people and leads to a sense of belonging and shared commitment.   

Why Diversity – Embracing and respecting our individual uniqueness and collective Diversity fosters broad perspectives, creative solutions, and an improved understanding of our workforce and Community.

Why Equity – As a public entity, providing our entire workforce and Community with Equitable Access to Products and Services, public participation, governance, employment opportunities, and business partnerships is fundamental to enhancing the vitality, health, and welfare of the community and meeting our obligation to serve.

Why Inclusion – An environment based on Inclusion creates the collaboration, motivation, and commitment necessary to galvanize our board and workforce, and inspire our customers to use our Products and Services and actively participate in our governance and public processes, essential to sustaining and continually improving our organization.

2. Definitions - as applied to this policy:

Diversity: in addition to legally protected classes, the presence and recognition of all aspects of human differences within a group.

Equity (Equitable):  the fair, unbiased, impartial opportunity to achieve a just outcome.

Inclusion (Inclusive):  continually creating a welcoming environment where people with different identities and diverse experiences feel respected, have a sense of belonging, and can participate and achieve to their potential.

Community:  includes the people with whom we serve, conduct business with, collaborate, influence, or impact in the fulfillment of our mission.

Products and Services:  includes the delivery of drinking water, electricity, information, support, and supplemental programs related to the fulfillment of our mission.

Access: the physical and/or virtual means of obtaining, examining, or consuming Products and Services.

3. Primary Directives

Consistent with EWEB’s Vision, Mission, and Values (SD1) and other Strategic Direction (SD) policies, along with other policies guiding Governance Process (GP), Board-Staff Linkage (BL) and Executive Limitations (EL), the Board supports an intentional and comprehensive approach to reducing and/or eliminating discrimination, and continually improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as defined above, by focusing on the following strategic areas:

1. Access to Products and Services: The Board authorizes, delegates, and directs the General Manager to ensure that the Community we serve has Equitable Access to Products and Services.
   
   
2. Workforce: EWEB will rely on workforce, business, and operations management policies and practices to guide and govern conduct and decision-making.  Furthermore, the Board authorizes, delegates, and directs the General Manager to ensure these policies exist, are routinely reviewed, and are enforced with the goal to create and nurture a working environment that facilitates productive, Inclusive, and respectful workforce engagement through Equitable actions, including but not limited to recruiting and hiring, compensation, promotion and retention, training and skill building, discipline and separation policies, procedures, and practices. 
   
   
3. Engagement: Furthermore, the Board authorizes, delegates, and directs the General Manager to facilitate productive, Inclusive, and respectful Community engagement through open, accessible, and transparent communications, facilities, and Equitable opportunity to participate in our procurement, contracting, governance, and/or public processes.
   
   
4. Board of Commissioners: Commissioners shall adhere to board policies specifically addressing but not limited to their governing style[1], job duties[2], rules of conduct[3], external communications[4], and public input[5] in a manner that fosters the organizational and Community benefits of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion outlined in this policy.

4. Implementation

According to Board Policy[6], the General Manager “is responsible for implementing policies and direction established by the Board”.  To implement this policy, the Board and General Manager will work together to develop annual goals, consistent with Board Policy[7], related to the primary directives included herein, as applicable, including milestones and measurements, and reporting frequency.

So that the organization’s actions related to this policy are visible to the Board and our Community, at least annually EWEB will review and report on the status of relevant customer and workforce demographics and data, tactical activities, strategic initiatives, and annual goals associated with the implementation of this policy.

5. Reference Policies

The following are referenced in this policy:

• Board Policy GP1 Governing Style
• Board Policy GP2 Board Job Description
• Board Policy GP6 Rules of Conduct
• Board Policy GP9 External Communications
• Board Policy GP10 Public Input
• Board Policy BL1 Global Board – General Manager Linkage
• BL4 Delegation to the General Manager; BL5 Evaluating the General Manager’s Performance

Source: Initial Board Approval 10/03/23, Resolution No. 2318.

Links and Relevant Resources:

• EWEB Board Policies
• August 15,2023 Board Work Session: SD23 Draft Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy Review and Discussion
• June 14, 2023 - Board Work Session: Introduction to DEI Training
• April 18, 2023 - Board Work Session: 2023 Organizational Goal #2 – Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
• April 4, 2023 - Regular Board Meeting: Correspondence item – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Board Policy – April Work Session Overview – See Page 14-16 of PDF packet
• March 7, 2023 - Regular Board Meeting: Correspondence item – EWEB Participation in Equity Community Consortium – See Page 1-2 of PDF packet
• July 5, 2022 - Regular Board Meeting: Correspondence Item – DEI Board Policy Development Background Information – See Pages 13-17 of PDF packet
• February 15, 2022 - Board Work Session: Goal #2(e):  New Board Policy – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

[1] Board Policy GP1 Governing Style

[2] Board Policy GP2 Board Job Description

[3] Board Policy GP6 Rules of Conduct

[4] Board Policy GP9 External Communications

[5] Board Policy GP10 Public Input

[6] Board Policy BL1 Global Board – General Manager Linkage

[7] BL4 Delegation to the General Manager; BL5 Evaluating the General Manager’s Performance