DEI Strategic Plan 2023

City of Chandler — Work Session (2023-04-13)

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DIVERSITY
EQUITY &
INCLUSION
STRATEGIC PLAN
2023 
Communicate
Connect
Develop
Innovate
Assess

DIVERSITY
EQUITY &
INCLUSION
2023 STRATEGIC PLAN
Contents
A Message from the Mayor......................................................................................1
A Message from..............................................................................................................2
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Vision, Mission and Priorities...............3
Summary of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Goals.......................................4
Goal 1. Communicate..................................................................................................5
Goal 2. Connect...............................................................................................................6
Goal 3. Develop................................................................................................................7
Goal 4. Innovate .............................................................................................................8
Goal 5. Assess....................................................................................................................9

DIVERSITY
EQUITY &
INCLUSION
2023 STRATEGIC PLAN
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion  
Vision, Mission & Priorities
DEI Vision:
The City of Chandler is home to a talented, diverse and inclusive community that celebrates and 
honors the contributions and experiences of all residents and employees. 
DEI Mission:
Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental values to the City of Chandler. We strive to 
cultivate a community and municipal organization that values, supports and embraces diversity 
while simultaneously creating a more inclusive and equitable place to live, work and thrive.
Human Relations Commission Mission:
Elevating and celebrating the diverse population of Chandler through ongoing engagement in 
multicultural, educational and inclusive efforts so that everyone is valued and has the opportunity 
to thrive.
DEI Priorities:
Community Events
We are one of the most diverse cities in Arizona and value supporting organizations that host 
events aimed at celebrating the many cultures that make up our community. 
Education
We learn from each other through engaging in meaningful interactions. We promote 
education which fosters respect and empathy for others, while celebrating the uniqueness of 
our community. 
Collaboration
We work together to support each other to understand, grow and provide valuable 
programming for residents and City employees. 
Advocacy
We increase opportunities for community organizations that amplify the voices of 
historically marginalized communities. We recognize that diverse views and opinions in 
decision making result in better outcomes.
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DIVERSITY
EQUITY &
INCLUSION
2023 STRATEGIC PLAN
Summary of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Goals
Goals:
1. Communicate
Create compelling messages, and manage diverse opportunities for sharing DEI messaging. 
Create additional opportunities for dialogue and education that encourage all residents and 
employees to see the importance of DEI to their personal success, and the success of the City.
2. Connect
Cultivate connections with organizations and individuals to drive collaboration, nurture 
healthy working relationships and promote knowledge-sharing. The more connected we are, 
the more inclusive our workplace and community will be.
3. Develop
Strengthen recruitment and retention efforts, and establish pathways to advancement 
throughout all levels of the organization for diverse candidates.  Additionally, create a work 
environment of inclusivity and authenticity for employees.  
4. Innovate
Advance the DEI mission to improve the consistency of desired outcomes by developing and/ 
strengthening policies and procedures while utilizing technology. 
5. Assess
Continually look for opportunities to re-evaluate and improve DEI’s measurement of success 
through solicitation of feedback from both the community and the municipal organization.
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DIVERSITY
EQUITY &
INCLUSION
2023 STRATEGIC PLAN
GOAL 1. Communicate
Create compelling messages and manage diverse opportunities for sharing DEI messaging. 
Create additional opportunities for dialogue and education that encourage all residents and 
employees to see the importance of DEI to their personal success and the success of the City.
1.1 Incorporate inclusive communication methods to reach diverse communities.  
a.
Establish channels of communication for external outreach. Focus on expanding
informational and promotional posts using diverse media opportunities beyond social
media.
b.
Uplift diverse voices in the community to be ambassadors in sharing information with
the City to ensure all voices are being heard.
c.
Develop consistent DEI language in messaging both internally and externally.
d.
Utilize employee groups and internal communications to streamline consistent sharing
of messages within the municipal organization.
1.2	 Communicate pathways towards inclusion in the City.
a.
Promote opportunities for diverse community members to participate on City Boards
and Commissions.
b.
Collaborate with Chandler students through partnerships with educators to advise and
encourage community engagement.
c.
Ensure internal and external stakeholders have up-to-date information regarding areas
for community participation.
1.3 Develop marketing strategy. 
a.
Research and study current marketing efforts for increased outreach.
b.
Create marketing opportunities within community partnerships.
c.
Leverage communication channels that appeal to youth and young professionals.
1.4	 Collaborate with private sector.
a.
Identify business organizations and owners who can represent and contribute to
Chandler’s DEI mission.
b.
Promote opportunities for small business (including diverse businesses) to actively
participate in Chandler’s economy.
c.
Create a mechanism or process for the identification of minority-owned business.
This goal supports the following 2022 DEI assessment recommendations:
• Outreach to all groups – beyond social media; use flyers, in person opportunities.
• Create and communicate a sustainable vision for City’s DEI Program.
• Streamline information sharing for DEI initiatives and expand awareness.
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DIVERSITY
EQUITY &
INCLUSION
2023 STRATEGIC PLAN
GOAL 2. Connect
Connection is critical in building a productive, efficient, healthy and welcoming City. Cultivate 
connections with organizations and individuals to drive collaboration, nurture healthy working 
relationships, and promote knowledge-sharing. The more connected we are, the more inclusive 
our workplace and community will be.
2.1 Work with community groups to advise, support and promote events showcasing Chandler’s 
diverse community.  
a.
Establish a pilot event sponsorship program, consistent with the City’s overall Special 
Event process, for new organizations to receive monetary, or in-kind, support for new 
DEI related events in Chandler.
b.
Promote additional methods of event support to include:
• DEI staff consultation
• Marketing and promotion
• Coordination of Mayor & Council and City Department participation
• Printing services
c.
Create speaker list of DEI topics/professionals for both external and internal use.
d.
Utilize current cultural and DEI partner organizations in recommendations of 
programming ideas for Diversity mini-grant applicants.
2.2 Enhance the support and process of bringing nonprofits together towards the spirit of 
collaboration and compassion to best serve Chandler.
a.
Routinely share various organization events and volunteer opportunities (by email and
on social media).
b.
Establish a more effective way for organizations and community groups to report their
upcoming events and opportunities for assistance.
c.
Support networking and public gathering opportunities for nonprofits, faith and
community groups to learn about programs and events aimed at supporting our most
vulnerable residents.
d.
Create additional opportunities for nonprofits that provide social service assistance
to the community. Look for spaces for their work to be promoted among different
audiences.
e.
Support community groups and businesses wishing to organize projects by connecting
them with residents or organizations coordinating similar projects.
2.3 Stay apprised of sensitive and timely DEI topics and connect with organizations in 
programming for these topics. 
a.
Work with internal City divisions and external schools, businesses, nonprofits and
generational groups on new ideas for townhalls, listening sessions or other unique
programming.
b.
Pursue grant funding opportunities that advance these efforts.
This goal supports the following 2022 DEI assessment recommendations:
• Communicate transparently, maintain group connections to continue progression.
• Educate proactively, understanding of differences before it becomes problematic.
• Partner with nonprofits and community agencies to connect resources, assist in enhancing
their services.
• Promote DEI discussions in the workplace.
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DIVERSITY
EQUITY &
INCLUSION
2023 STRATEGIC PLAN
GOAL 3. Develop
Strengthen recruitment and retention efforts 
and support pathways for advancement for 
diverse candidates throughout all levels of 
the organization. Additionally, create a work 
environment of inclusivity and authenticity for 
employees.
Working in close collaboration and 
cooperation with the City’s Human Resources 
Department.  
3.1 Highlight Chandler as a diverse and 
inclusive workplace. 
a.
Showcase the diverse employee
work-base in all advertising.
b.
Share current job openings with
diverse groups.
c.
Place recruitment postings on
websites of diversity membership
organizations.
3.2 Enhance DEI training, leadership 
development and cultural awareness 
throughout the organization.
a.
Expand national diversity 
membership organizations available 
for employees to join.
b.
Track and add DEI related training 
topics for employees.
c.
Encourage, support and seek
out diverse mentors within the 
organization.
d.
Ensure 100% of employees complete 
DEI training.
3.3 Educate and train hiring staff with 
competency tools to create DEI standard 
practices in hiring. 
a.
Develop Unconscious Bias Training
for all hiring officials.
b.
Establish a list of cultural competency
questions for use by hiring officials.
c.
Encourage diverse hiring panels.
This goal supports the following 2022 DEI assessment recommendations:
• Find opportunities to improve recruitment and hiring of diverse candidates.
• Enhance DEI training, leadership development and cultural awareness.
• Streamline information sharing for DEI initiatives and expand awareness.
• Promote DEI discussions in the workplace.
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DIVERSITY
EQUITY &
INCLUSION
2023 STRATEGIC PLAN
GOAL 4. Innovate
This goal supports the following 2022 DEI 
assessment recommendations:
• Communicate transparently, maintain
group connections to continue progression.
• Streamline information sharing for DEI
initiatives and expand awareness.
• Develop actionable/visible response to
identified needs – take feedback seriously.
8
Advance our DEI mission to improve the 
consistency of desired outcomes by developing 
and/or strengthening policies and procedures 
while utilizing technology. 
4.1 Consult with Information Technology to 
assess current DEI process methods and 
identify innovative technology solutions 
that further advance these processes.
a. Look for areas of opportunity within
the municipal organization to utilize
existing technology to capture
program data and streamline
processes.
4.2 Grow and develop partnerships to 
collaboratively work on digital equity solutions. 
a.
Work with Digital Equity Navigator
to address technology adoption
and usage across the City’s diverse
population.
b.
Connect appropriate technologies to
our diverse population and provide 
education on its use.
c.
Keep apprised of regional efforts
regarding Digital Equity.
4.3 Educate and update, as necessary, external 
and internal policies, programs, practices 
and procedures to ensure Chandler 
remains a diverse, equitable and inclusive 
city.  
 
Establish criteria and a defining matrix  
for DEI efforts and implement across the 
City and municipal organization.
a.
Define DEI dimensions, establish
baseline measures, set targets,
establish accountability and tracking
of results.
5.2 Create an evaluation tool that can be used 
at all DEI activities and events to assess the 
direction of programing.
a.
Look for areas of opportunity within
the municipal organization to
capture and track data from multiple
sources.
5.3 Host an annual Human Relations 
Commission year-in-review meeting to 
assess DEI division programs, partnerships, 
measurables and areas of success and 
potential growth. 
a.
Set expectations and standards for
commission members.
b.
Provide opportunities to present to
leadership and City stakeholders
on accomplishments and/or
recommendations of future activities.
This goal supports the following 2022 DEI 
assessment recommendations:
• Develop actionable/visible response to
identified needs – take feedback seriously.