Get to Know MEERG President Tamara Murphy

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The County has 10 great Employee Resource Groups (ERG). They are each led by respective presidents who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community.

Get to know our Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group president Tamara Murphy, a principal administrative analyst with the Department of Public Works:

Q: How long have you worked for the County and what departments have you worked for?

A: Eight years and the whole time has been with the Department of Public Works, Financial Services Section.

Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?

A: I oversee the Budget Team that works on approximately 130 orgs including the Road Fund, Flood Control District, Permanent Road Divisions, County Service Areas, Community Facilities District, Stormwater Zones, Survey Remonumentation, and the Street Lighting District. We are responsible for the Annual 2 Year Operational Plan, 5 Year Forecast, Quarterly Fund Balance Projections, and day-to-day monitoring of all the orgs expenses and revenues.

Q: What are three words that best describe you?

A: Loyal, kind and loud.

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: Well, before COVID I loved going to country music concerts, and going out to dinner with family and friends. These days, I stay home with my husband and 7-year-old son. We get to see our daughter sometimes, but she is currently in college at UC Riverside.

Q: Tell us about your ERG.

A: The mission of the Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group is to enhance Middle Eastern cultural awareness, to share the Middle East’s rich and diverse history and cultural contributions to the world, and to contribute to principles of cross cultural dialogue and understanding.

Q: Why are ERGs important?

A: Because they give employees a place to connect with other county staff that they would have otherwise never known. They are a great way to build friendships, expand your professional network, learn new things, and be part of something bigger than the one piece of the county where you work. Plus, it’s fun!

Q: What is your favorite part of being a member of your ERG?

A: Making new friends and learning about other people and hearing their stories. I am Middle Eastern, but I was born and raised here in San Diego. I am very “Americanized,” so I love listening to our members talk about the country they came from, how they got here, and how their lives have changed since coming here.

Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?

A: San Diego County Library (you can check books out electronically!)

The Cottages of Balboa Park (lots of good information and events representing different cultures)

If you need any support with your mental health, there is no shame, visit up2sd.org.

Q: Who can participate in your ERG and how can employees join?

A: Membership is open to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, creed, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation, who support the mission and goals of the San Diego County Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group. Membership is only $10 per year and you may email meerg@sdcounty.ca.gov for an application!

Attend CECO’s Virtual Grant Ceremony

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The San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) will distribute $138,520 in grants to 86 local nonprofit programs and assistance to County employees experiencing a financial crisis at a virtual ceremony at 8 a.m., Friday, March 26.

Charitable organizations receiving grants include Alzheimer's San Diego, Coastal Roots Farm, License to Freedom, MANA de San Diego, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and the Urban Corps of San Diego County.

Join the ceremony on Microsoft Teams.

CECO was established in 1956. The organization gives 100 percent of the donations received from employees and retirees to help local nonprofit organizations and County employees and retirees in crisis. Donations are entirely voluntary and are in the form of automatic payroll deductions or one-time contributions. For more about CECO, to contribute to the fund, or to see a complete list of this year’s grant recipients, please visit sdceco.org.

Get to Know LGBTQ&A President Ben Parmentier

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The County has 10 great Employee Resource Groups (ERG). They are each led by respective presidents who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community.

Get to know our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Allies ERG President Ben Parmentier, a health policy and planning specialist with Behavioral Health Services:

Q: How long have you worked for the County and what departments have you worked for?

A: I’ve worked for the County for 5 years, in the Auditor & Controller as well as Behavioral Health Services departments. 

Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?

A: I’m responsible for special projects, legislation, and writing assignments in the Clinical Director’s Office of Behavioral Health. I’m currently working on many exciting capital projects and collaborations with community partners to improve service delivery and ensure those who need our services remain continuously connected to care.

Q: What are three words that best describe you?

A: Eager, curious, and zesty!

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: I enjoy playing with my pup, reading, and cooking new dishes

Q: Tell us about your ERG.

A: The LGBTQ&Allies ERG is in its eighth year, and has dozens of members from across many County departments. Lately we haven’t been able to meet in person, but we’ve enjoyed hikes, resource fairs, bowling, and lunch-and-learns together. Our happy hours are our most well-attended events.

Q: Why are ERGs important?

A: ERGs foster a sense of community within the County. They enable connections between employees based on more than just accomplishing a work task, so it allows for deep and personal relationships to be built. ERGs also play an important role in advocating for their constituencies, and organizing around various causes, which align with their mission and vision for the County of San Diego.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a member of your ERG?

A: My favorite part of being a member is knowing I was able to help the County begin to publicly acknowledge and celebrate Pride. Pride is a powerful and emotional celebration for the LBGTQ community, and seeing the Pride flag fly at the CAC last year was incredibly affirming and rewarding.

Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?

A:  I’ve found there is more information in the many corners of InSite than first meets the eye, if you are curious like me and poke around! I’ve also always stopped to read departmental bulletin boards, followed county social media accounts, and signed up for distribution lists, out of habit. This helps me find events and opportunities I can share with others or enjoy myself.

Q: Who can participate in your ERG and how can employees join?

A: Our ERG is open to anyone who is interested. Membership forms can be found on the ERG page of InSite, or folks can contact LGBTA@sdcounty.ca.gov for more information.

Join AAACE for Women's History Month

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Join our African American Association of County Employees ERG for their Quarterly General Board Meeting celebrating Women’s History Month on Wednesday, March 24. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Facebook Rooms.

Lillian Asoera, deputy director of Child Welfare Services, will be discussing the importance of Black female social workers and her personal journey with the County.

Local business owner Queen, of More Life Liquid, will be discussing her experience as a female business owner and the work she does with the community.

Get to Know EWA President Daniel Vasquez

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The County has 10 great Employee Resource Groups (ERG). They are each led by respective presidents who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community.

Get to know Emerging Workforce Association ERG President Daniel Vasquez, senior emergency services coordinator with the Office of Emergency Services:

Q: How long have you worked for County and what departments have you worked for?

A: 4 years this summer, all with OES.

Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?

A: You know that meme with 4 quadrants: “What society thinks I do; What my parents think I do; What I think I do; and, What I actually do”? That is probably the best way to describe Emergency Management. Most of society doesn’t know we exist; my parents think I single-handedly stop wildfires; I think I’m making a difference; and what I actually do is become aware of problems, come up with solutions for said problems, and then coordinate the correct people to solve those problems.

Q: What are three words that best describe you?

A: Energetic, Happy, Passionate

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: Ride motorcycles, read, and work out

Q: Tell us about your ERG.

A: Emerging Workforce Association (EWA) has a connotation as the millennial ERG, but it’s not. EWA is about bringing everyone together. We strive to bridge the generational gaps through education, enhancement of work culture, and networking while promoting County initiatives.

Q: Why are ERGs important?

A: How to keep this short…I think ERGs are fundamental in the iron-triangle of an ever-evolving enterprise like the County. They are the bridge between groups, departments, people, and ideas. They motivate and empower employees to be the change we want and need. ERGs are a commitment to progress and so much more.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a member of your ERG?

A: Collaborating and connecting with like-minded people that have the truest of intentions in serving the public and helping others.

Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?

A: I think the Employee Wellness Program is incredible. I truly believe and advocate for a healthy and happy lifestyle, and our HR site has some really fun and useful stuff. They have challenges, classes, and even incentives to give employees $$$ for committing to their health!

Q: Who can participate in your ERG and how can employees join?

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A: Anyone and everyone! We’d love to bring you into the EWA fam! You can find us on InSite under the Employee Resource Groups tab, by clicking here, or by scanning this QR Code!

ERG Council Statement on Anti-Asian Racism and Violence

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Message from the County’s Employee Resource Group Council:

We join the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in denouncing the recent surge of anti-Asian racism and violence in communities across the United States, including those that have been particularly visible in New York City, the Bay Area, and here in San Diego, and the recent tragic shooting of six Asian women in Atlanta. 

We have seen a surge in reported cases of hate crimes and attacks on AAPIs in the last year. Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition documenting and addressing anti-Asian discrimination during the pandemic, has recorded nearly 3,800 instances since the pandemic began. But racism against the AAPI community is not new and is often overlooked.  Anti-Asian racism dates back centuries to the 1850s during the first wave of Asian immigrants to the U.S.

Together, it’s our responsibility to stop the violence, acknowledge and erase the harmful stereotypes and discrimination, end the pitting of people against one another, and dismantle systemic racism.

Here are some ways in which you can get involved:

  1. Commit to learning about the perspectives and experience of communities of color. The San Diego API coalition has compiled resources to assist in responding to increased hate incidents. A place to start is the Black + AAPI History and Resources.

  2. Report incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and bullying against Asian American and Pacific Islanders: stopaapihate.org, standagainsthatred.org. The District Attorney’s Office encourages the reporting of any type of hate crime or incident at sandiegoda.com, hatecrimes@sdcda.org or by calling 619-515-8805 and victim advocates at 619-531-4101.

  3. Learn about and donate to an AAPI cause. Here are just a few examples:

  4. Support local Asian businesses. San Diego teenager, Kaia Culotta, has compiled a list of businesses on helpasianbiz.com.

  5. Contact your local elected officials to ensure they hear your concerns about the recent surge of anti-Asian racism and violence in communities. Not sure who your elected official is? Start at usa.gov/elected-officialsusa.gov/elected-officials.

The above are only a few ways to start the conversation and we hope to continue to hear from you on how we can foster dialogue, provide support, and strengthen our community together.

Comments:

The Department of Human Resources, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) division grieves for the families and communities of numerous Asian community members murdered in Georgia on March 16, 2021, by senseless gun violence and anti-Asian racism.

The EDI team stands in solidarity with the Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees (APACE) to condemn anti-API violence and to actively find solutions to shield our community from further hate and violence.

We Stand with Our Asian American Pacific Islander Community

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Message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer and Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Michael Vu:

County colleagues,

We are heartbroken and horrified by the senseless mass murder carried out by a gunman in Georgia this week. Most of the victims were women of Asian descent. This attack follows a growing number of hate incidents and violence directed at Asian Americans. These hate incidents and violence demand our strongest condemnation and solidarity in opposition.

The killings took place on the same day Stop AAPI Hate released a new report documenting the prevalence of hate incidents against Asian American Pacific Islanders. The authors note, as is often true with this type of reporting, that the thousands of cases recorded are likely only a fraction of what’s actually occurring.

Many Asian Americans have reported an increase in discrimination since the start of the pandemic. As far back as last summer, three-in-ten Asian adults said since the outbreak began, they’d been subjected to jokes or slurs because of their race. That rate amounts to tens of thousands of our County residents – our neighbors and colleagues. 

We stand against racism in all forms against anyone. But at times, especially when a specific group is being harmed in a specific way, we need to focus on that group for reassurance that they are seen and that they belong.

We stand in support of the Asian American Pacific Islander community. We denounce violence and discrimination inflicted on the Asian American Pacific Islander community. And we commit ourselves to fighting racism against the Asian American Pacific Islander community.

The County has taken a number of important steps over the last year to raise awareness and address institutional racism and bias. The hate being experienced by Asian Americans is a reminder of just how much work there is to do.

Our employee resource groups are there to help us on that journey. They have reached out to their members with words of solace and a list of resources, both for our colleagues who need help during this distressing time, and for all employees to build recognition of the challenges faced by Asian Americans and how we can support them. We’re passing along what they put together here.

Our ERGs are working together on a statement and additional resources that we will share through InSite.

We encourage you to read their words and then follow through with the actions you can take to ensure equity and demonstrate support for our AAPI community.

Get to Know DiverseAbility President Sarah Panfil

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The County has 10 great Employee Resource Groups (ERG). They are each led by respective presidents who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community.

Get to know DiverseAbility ERG President Sarah Panfil, an administrative analyst II with the Department of General Services:

Q: How long have you worked for the County and what departments have you worked for?

A: 20.5 years with the County: 3 years Sheriff, over 14 years Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, and 3.5 years General Services.

Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?

A: Currently as AAII, I monitor and process contracts and expenditures.

Q: What are three words that best describe you?

A: Friendly, resourceful, and patient.

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: Read and explore.

Q: Tell us about your ERG.

A: Our mission statement is to advance awareness and inclusion for people with disabilities, provide and promote professional development and leadership opportunities, and advocate for inclusiveness in and support of County initiatives.

Q: Why are ERGs important?

A: They help to create a better work place for all. They strive to break down physical and mental barriers to inclusion, diversity and equity.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a member of your ERG?

A: Connecting with others and sharing resources.

Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?

A: Job opportunities such as trainings, educational articles, job position openings, and community activities.

Q: Who can participate in your ERG and how can employees join?

A: Any individual who is committed to the mission, vision, purpose and objectives of this ERG may apply for membership. Employees can join by completing the Membership Application and sending it to me.