Glossary of Terms

Framework for Change - The OEODM's long-term strategy for reengineering its procedures and reinventing its core functions. The Framework for Change includes activities to streamline affirmative action planning, improve EEO Complaints Processing including alternative dispute resolution implementation, the Workplace Diversity Initiative, and establishment of an NIH-wide Diversity Council.

Workplace Diversity Initiative (WDI) - WDI is one of the major components of the Framework for Change. It is a strategy that focuses on bringing about organizational change that will engender respect for the similarities and differences employees bring to the workplace. It is designed to assist managers in learning how to capitalize on those differences to promote quality, fairness, and efficiency.

Managing Diversity - Managing diversity is the process of creating and maintaining an environment that enables all employees to contribute to their full potential in pursuit of organizational objectives.

Respecting Diversity - The attitude that a person holds toward other people who may be viewed as either similar or different, but not attaching positive or negative attributes to those differences and similarities and not interfering with their right to be different. The attitude is one of differential regard or consideration, and is without positive or negative attributes.

Diversity Catalyst - A person designated by the IC Director to coordinate and develop the IC Diversity Initiative. The catalyst works in collaboration with the IC EEO Officer and IC leadership. The OEODM Diversity Program Managers serve as consultants to the ICs. Some of the duties of the catalysts are chairing meetings, disseminating information to the appropriate IC staff, serving as a liaison between the IC and the OEODM, and planning and developing the IC diversity initiative. The catalyst may or may not be the IC EEO Officer. The catalyst is expected to spend a sufficient amount of official duty time on this responsibility. The initial planning and developmental stages may require more time than later stages.

Diversity Council - The Diversity Council is a body of NIH employees who advise the Director, OEODM, on policies and programs to promote managing diversity at the NIH. The first Council was chosen from delegates to the 1995 Diversity Congress, participants in the WDI Workshop in 1996, and individuals selected by the Director, OEODM based on their unique viewpoints.