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 You are at: SRH Home � SHV Home � 2008 Regional Diversity Conference: May 6-7, 2008
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"To promote and sustain a unified and harmonious work environment where diversity is treated as a source of strength and where every employee is valued as an equal contributor towards the accomplishment of the National Weather Service's mission."


Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Shreveport conducts
Second Annual Regional Diversity Conference - May 2008

Representatives from 16 National Weather Service offices throughout the Southern Region and a representative from National Weather Service Headquarters Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management participated in the Second annual Regional Diversity Conference which was held in Shreveport, Louisiana May 6-7, 2008.

There were approximately 45 NWS employees who attended from offices as far east as Mobile and Huntsville, Alabama to as far west as Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this group were eight WFO MICs, one SMG MIC, and one HIC. Equal Employment Opportunity Diversity Inclusion Advisory Council (EEODIAC) members from Southern Region were also present. Also participating as attendees or speakers were diversity managers and focal points from other federal agencies (USPS, VA, DOJ) and local community partners who were invited from the Shreveport-Bossier city area.

The conference planning committee was made up of the WFO Shreveport Diversity Team consisting of MIC Armando Garza, ASA Lisa Frantz, Journeyman Forecaster Bill Parker, and Regional EEO Manager Regena "Gena" Morrison. The conference commenced on Monday afternoon, May 5, 2008 where Gena Morrison provided specific training for the regional SEPMs. Members of the Executive Council were also present and helped.

Building on last year's conference theme, the focus of the 2008 conference was also on providing "real world diversity training" and embracing the fact that while we would like to see change happen quickly, diversity is not a fast race but rather a slow journey that requires us to look more closely at everyday challenges - cultural and generational. Southern Region Director Bill Proenza opened the conference by welcoming the attendees and addressing the National Weather Service commitment to diversity in the workplace. Topics that followed included a look at the different generations in the workplace and how to work with each; reasons why diversity initiatives fail; disabilities and employees who overcome challenges such as stuttering; the ever shifting/ changing workplace with new technologies; and the inclusion of more individuals who are not considered women and minorities into the diversity program.

Many kudos were received from attendees concerning the topics that were presented and discussed at the conference. What many conference attendees took away from this experience will ultimately be measured by, not only what they learned, but what they will be able to build upon and pass on to fellow workers when they return to their workplace and community.



Hospitality Photos

Below are a few pictures of a get-together of conference attendees at the
home of Shreveport NWS Forecast Office Meteorologist-in-Charge Armando Garza. Click on the photos to enlarge.
From left to right: Bill Parker, Matt Duplantis and Mike Waddell at Shreveport Meteorologist in Charge Armando Garza's residence. Gena Morrison, left, with Brandi Richardson and nephew Reece at Shreveport Meteorologist in Charge Armando Garza's residence. From left to right: Andy Patrick, Bill Proenza, Ray Fagen, Brandi Richardson and Kim Armstrong at Shreveport Meteorologist in Charge Armando Garza's residence. From left to right: Frank Brody, Roger Erickson, Andy Patrick and Jose Garcia at Shreveport Meteorologist in Charge Armando Garza's residence. From left to right: Jim DeBerry, Ray Fagen and Wayne Patterson at Shreveport Meteorologist in Charge Armando Garza's residence. Abigale and Reece playing on a tractor at Shreveport Meteorologist in Charge Armando Garza's residence.


Diversity Conference Photos

Click on the photos to enlarge.
Forecaster Jim DeBerry of the weather forecast office in Shreveport prepares to speak at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport, LA. Matt Duplantis, left, and Mike Waddell, right, of the weather forecast office in Shreveport attend the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference held in Shreveport, LA. Members of the diversity committee from the United States Postal Service attend the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference held in Shreveport, LA. Steve Jenkins, left, and Randy Hensley, right, of the weather forecast office in Shreveport attend the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference held in Shreveport, LA. NWS Southern Region Director Bill Proenza speaks with Chelly Parcus at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference held in Shreveport, LA. Doyle Adams, left, and Bill Parker, right, each prepares to speak at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference held in Shreveport, LA.
Doyle Adams delivers his presentation at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport, LA. Attendees of the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport listen to a presention. Forecaster Bill Parker of the weather forecast office in Shreveport delivers his presentation at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport, LA. Ivory Youngblood, left and Keith Stellman, right, attend the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport, LA. Cammye Sims of the weather forecast office in New Braunfels speaks at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport, LA. Ken Falk, left and Jessica Shultz, right, attend the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport, LA.
Hope Hasberry speaks at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport, LA. Glenn Long speaks at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference held in Shreveport, LA. Glenn Long speaks at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference held in Shreveport, LA. David Craft speaks at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport, LA. Jose Garcia speaks at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport, LA. Attendees gather during a break at the 2008 Regional Diversity Conference in Shreveport, LA.



Click here for the Diversity Conference 2007 website

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