Appendix
1. Appendix 1. Demographics
The Olmsted County community is going through a period of significant growth and change. Our strong local economy has brought high rates of job growth and very low unemployment. As local labor resources are tapped to their full extent, area businesses are increasingly relying on in-immigrants to the community to fill their business expansion needs. As a result, our community is becoming home to an increasingly diverse population.
This new found diversity is reflected in our schools as well as our workplaces. From fall of 1980 to 1999, minority enrollment in school systems based in Olmsted County has increased by 160%, ranging from a 54% increase in the Asian/Pacific Islander student population to an 819% increase in Black (African American and Sub-Saharan African) student population.
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2. Appendix 2: Report of the 21st Century Partnership Task Force On Diversity
The following is the report of the 21st Century Partnership Task Force on Diversity, as modified following its adoption by the Steering Committee and its implementing agencies.
2.1. Opening Statement
In Phase 1 of the 21st Century Partnership process, a broad cross-section of Olmsted County residents identified diversity as a "make or break" issue on which the social and economic health of this region depends. This report details the findings, objectives, and goals that the Task Force on Diversity has determined are critical first steps on our journey to a community-wide commitment promoting unity and respect for all people. Members of the Task Force agree, that by not addressing these changes and issues, we put our collective future at risk.
Olmsted County has maintained a leadership role in health care, technology, education and business. We believe that our community must add diversity to our list of positive accomplishments. By doing so, we will step forward as leaders for the nation in the 21st century, pledging to oppose discrimination in any form. The Olmsted County will blend talent, culture, abilities and race to create a music in which all people are respected and welcome.
The responsibility for change is proportional to the power the individuals and groups hold in society. It is therefore, the responsibility of the majority population to provide vision, leadership and strategies to stop discrimination.
It is against this background that the 21st Century Partnership Steering Committee identifies the following issues as the focus areas for the Diversity Task Force:
- eliminate racism
- create a welcoming environment for all cultures and abilities
- promote the positive values of diversity
Eliminating Racism
Racism exists in Olmsted County and the community has found this issue difficult to confront. There is a definite need for a more coordinated, community wide emphasis and increase focus on diversity by elected bodies and business groups. There have been many diversity initiatives in the community; the activity has been directed at the cultural aspects, pointed short-term education, and board awareness programs such as the "Not in Our Town" project. These have all been positive efforts, however, the Olmsted community has not yet reached the core or root of the problem.
While the goal to "eliminate racism" is unrealistic in the near term, a community that works well must promote a "zero tolerance" approach to discriminatory behavior
Creating a Welcoming Environment for all Cultures and Abilities
The current environment is not accepting of diversity in race, abilities, lifestyles or sexual orientation. We have made some progress over the years. More must be done to create an open and welcoming community if we are going to minimize future problems and maximize the strengths of our diverse population. A major step in this direction would be to extend the Human Rights Ordinance to the balance of the county and to amend it to address sexual orientation, age and disability. The current lack of a county-wise structure with the authority in grievance resolution is a significant inhibitor to progress.
Promoting the Positive Values of Diversity
Of the three areas of the Diversity Task Force reviewed, promoting the positive aspects of diversity has received the most attention in the community. There are programs events and educational sessions that emphasize other cultures and beliefs. It is clear that the community is not leveraging the value that a diverse population brings to its culture, government, education, businesses and citizens. It is imperative that we look forward to our future, recognizing that the economic educational and social success the county are at stake.
2.2. Vision
The Diversity Task Force has identified the following vision statement for the Olmsted community related to diversity:
Our community will provide a safe, non-discriminating environment with respect and opportunity for all.
This statement embodies the concept that diversity involves the entire community and has elements that include race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation and age.
To achieve this vision, we have defined three objectives that must be met:
- Focus the community's attention on diversity
- Eliminate the suspicion and fear resulting from negative stereotypes and promote positive inter-racial awareness.
- Provide increase opportunities for everyone and enable all people to fully participate in the social, educational, economic and civic life of the community.
2.3. Key Findings
A long-range strategic plan is needed in Olmsted County to provide a more focused approach to the increasing diversity of the region.
Diversity is an integral component of all 21st Century Partnership task forces. The recommendations outlined by the task forces on Crime, Education and Workforce Readiness, Jobs and the Economy, Neighborhoods, Rural and Small City Vitality and Youth, Families and the Elderly provide additional framework to support our vision.
The population of Olmsted County is becoming increasing more diverse. There is a need for more analytical data to measure the impact of this diversity.
Governing bodies, civic organizations and community programs do not represent the diversity of the community.
Negative stereotyping of our changed community has and will continue to adversely affect our local businesses and community economics.
A common perception in the majority community maintains that minority groups have created an unsafe, rapidly deteriorating environment in this community.
The majority population has a significant role and responsibility in address the issues of racism and discrimination.
Partnerships are needed between the majority and minority to identify and solve problems together.
It is imperative to educate our children/youth on the values of diversity: they are our future.
The former volunteer-run Rochester Human Rights Commission in the City of Rochester did not have the authority or resources to meet this community's (city and county) needs.
The Human Rights Ordinance adopted by the City of Rochester did not include all of the protected classes identified in Minnesota Statutes.
There is no systematic way to identify and reach out to new people in the community.
The media (newspaper, TV, radio, etc) has a significant impact on thne community's percept of diverse groups.
The supply of low and moderate income housing does not meet the demand the community needs to integrate low and moderate income housing throughout all neighborhoods.
2.4. Objectives and Goals
2.4.1. Objective 1: Diversity Attention
Focus the community's attention on diversity
1. Improve coordination of diversity efforts.
- Recognize the county-wide Diversity Council to include major employers and other community leaders.
- Recommended Responsible Party: Diversity Council (accomplished 2/5/99)
- Encourage the collaboration of independent citizen's groups to promote diversity efforts.
- Recommended Responsible Party: Existing diversity organizations, faith communities and citizen.
2. Establish a comprehensive diversity action plan.
A. Develop a community consensus committing the community to a series of concrete steps to eliminate racism, to create a welcoming community environment, and to promote the positive values of diversity.
Recommended Responsible Party: 21st Century Partnership Steering Committee
B. Develop a valid instrument to measure community attitudes and perceptions regarding diversity.
Recommended Responsible Party: 21st Century Partnership Steering Committee with the assistance of the Rochester Olmsted Planning Department
C. Track changes annually in the community's response to diversity.
Recommended Responsible Party: 21st Century Partnership Steering Committee with the assistance of the Rochester Olmsted Planning Department
- Measures: Develop a diversity measure component that ties to other 21st Century Partnership key issues.
- Crime - hate crimes, victim/criminal demographics, survey data
- Education and Workforce Readiness - high school graduation rate, employer feedback, survey data
- Jobs and the Economy - employment, demographics, survey data
- Neighborhoods - Human rights complains, voting records, survey data
- Youth, Families and the Elderly -school data (i.e. graduation rates, exceptional students demographics, etc), family services data (elderly, runawasy, sucidese, etc).
- Rural and Small City Vitality -economic indicators and survey data.
D. Develop strategies to respond to survey findings
Recommended Responsible Party: 21st Century Partnership Steering Committee
- Measures: Surveys demonstrating improved perceptions of opportunity, safety, and openness.
2.4.2. Objective 2: Positive interracial awareness
Eliminate the suspicion and fear resulting from negative stereotypes and promote positive interracial awareness.
1. Increase the level of diversity awareness among community members.
a. Encourage the long-term commitment of media to provide accurate information, knowledge, understanding and appreciation of others.
Recommended Responsible Party: Print and broadcast media
b. Establish training programs for management and employees at all levels.
Recommended Responsible Party: Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with area employers and Diversity Council
c. Establish mutual learning partnerships and memberships among diverse individual and groups.
Recommended Responsible Party: Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with area employers
d. Develop classes to orient newcomers to the resources and customers of the community.
Recommended Responsible Party: ISD 535 Community Education in cooperation with the Inter-cultural Mutual Assistance Association and Private Industry Council
e. Continue to celebrate the variety of cultures in our community.
Recommended Responsible Party: Rochester International Association, RochesterFest, Diversity Council, and faith community
2. Enforce laws in an equitable and culturally sensitive manner.
a. Mandate annual diversity training for law enforce officers and other criminal justice system personnel.
Recommended Responsible Party: Area governing bodies
Measures: Detention, arrest, conviction and sentencing records, survey data
3. Educate parents to communicate positive images about other groups of people.
Encourage partnerships with employers, PTSA's religious institutions, neighborhood groups and social and service clubs, to support parents in teaching acceptance of others.
Recommended Responsible Party: Diversity Council, in cooperation with PTSA's, religious institutions, media, schools and neighborhood groups
4. Educate teachers and students about stereotyping
Establish regular workshops to understand the negative impact of stereotyping on student learning and to build positive images with the educational environment.
Recommended Responsible Party: Schools - daycare through adult education
2.4.3. Objective 3: Shared Opportunities
Provide increased opportunities for everyone, and enable all people in full participate in the social, educational, economic and civic life of the community.
1. Incorporate diverse populations into neighborhoods.
a. Ensure that the governmental development review process incorporates diversity standards.
Recommended Responsible Party: Zoning authorities
b. Increase the supply and distribution of affordable, decent, safe and sanitary housing for all groups in the community.
Recommended Responsible Party: Private builders and housing assistance providers
c. Encourage neighborhoods to include lower income housing into their neighborhoods
Recommended Responsible Party: Diversity Council, Neighborhood Council, and United Way
2. Facilitate the economic participation of minorities in the community.
a. Eliminate discrimination and encourage inclusive hiring polices
Recommended Responsible Party: Area employers and Human Rights Commission
Measures: Rates of unemployment, underemployment and business ownership
b. Increase the accessibility and convenience of transportation to those with limited mobility.
Recommended Responsible Party: Area employers and transportation providers
c. Increase the availability and convenience of affordable, decent, safe, sanitary and culturally appropriate child care.
Recommended Responsible Party: Child Care Resource and Referral, area employers, child care providers and Family Action Collaborative (FACES)
3. Enforce human rights in accordance with Minnesota Statutes
a. Create a county-wide Human Rights Commission
Recommended Responsible Party: County Board (accomplished 1998)
b. Adopt a county-wide Human Rights Ordinance to include all protected classes covered by Minnesota Statutes
Recommended Responsible Party: County Board (accomplished Summer 1998)
c. Provide staff to assist the County Human Rights Commission in mediating diversity conflicts
Recommended Responsible Party: County Board (accomplished 1998)
d. Monetary restitution for human rights offense awarded by Administrative Law Judge
Recommended Responsible Party: County Board
e. Empower the County Human Rights Commission to refer human rights cases to the County Attorney
Recommended Responsible Party: County Board
4. Improve the internal diversity performance of community institutions.
a. Ensure that institutions in the community include diversity as a priority in their own planning and programming.
Recommended Responsible Party: Private, non-profit and government institutions
5. Ensure equal access to services on the part of minority clients and customers.
a. Implement actions (as funding requirements) to ensure that services, activities and programs are reaching minority populations.
3. Appendix 3. What you can do: suggestions for individual action to address diversity
Guideline for Individuals
- Find out about volunteer opportunities in your community, eg. literacy, citizenship, mentorship programs.
- When communicating with non-native English speakers:
- Avoid jargon, slang, and idioms
- Slow down your speech
- Use simple words
- Pronounce and enunciate clearly
- Repeat your ideas in different words
- Check for understanding
- If you are non-native English speaker, ask coworkers to slow down or repeat themselves -- your request will not be considered rude. Ask about expressions you don't understand.
- Be aware of changes taking place around you and welcome that change.
- Recognize and respect others and their individuality
- Think before you speak, and be sensitive to others.
- Talk about your differences and ask tactful questions about how people want to be treated.
- Listen more
- Recognize you own biases and prejudices.
- Eliminate stereotypes and generalizations
- Expose ourself to other cultures
- Remember that your race/gender/personality style is not the center of the universe.
- Be careful with humor.
