Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group
Meeting & Contact Information
Co-Chairs: Vanitha Murthy and Brett Kelver
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month from 12:00-1:00 pm via Zoom.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group (DEIG) works across OAPA committees and with the Board of Directors to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies into OAPA’s offerings, advocacy, and operations. The DEIG develops and drives tactics, projects, and programs, and serves as a resource for the Board and committees, in keeping with OAPA’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives (see OAPA’s Strategic Plan 2018 Update). The committee meets monthly via conference call at noon on the third Thursday of each month. For more information on how to get involved, contact one of the Co-Chairs.
Recent projects:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Racial Justice Resource Guide and Racial Equity Glossary. Volunteers with OAPA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group (DEIG) developed two new online resources in 2021 geared toward planners, allied professionals, and planning students. Reflected in the offerings is OAPA’s commitment to lead our equity work with race, with an emphasis on the intersectionality of anti-racist work. Learn more about these fantastic resources here.
Background:
Formed in 2019 as an outcome of the Chapter’s Strategic Plan update, the DEIG is comprised of representatives from the OAPA Board and each of OAPA’s standing committees and OAPA members at large, including student members, with relevant experience or interest. The DEIG charter, developed by an initial group of members with guidance from the Board, provides more detail about roles, responsibilities, and expected outcomes. Click here to see the DEIG charter.
OAPA’s 2018 grant for “Fostering Diversity and Inclusion in Oregon’s Professional Planners” from the APA Chapter Presidents Council fueled efforts to better understand and reduce barriers to and foster diversity and inclusion among Oregon’s professional planners in their daily practice. Funded by the grant, OAPA partnered with Portland State University’s (PSU) Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning (TSUSP) to 1) support TSUSP’s internal efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to 2) support OAPA’s efforts to develop strategies to advance DEI within the organization. Download the PSU report here and the final grant report here.