Equity Services

About Equity Services

Welcome to the Equity Services Department's Web site! The department provides the following services:

• Ensuring equal employment opportunities for City of Clearwater employees.
• Facilitating the City Community Relations Board objectives to eliminate prejudice and intolerance within the community.
• Facilitating the Valuing Diversity process for City staff.
• Facilitating the City ADA Advisory Committee objectives regarding accessibility issues for the differently-able with respect to City-owned buildings and facilities.
• Offering city government representation to community-based groups & organizations.

This department provides free technical information and training services to the public, and to other departments within city government on discrimination law topics, and the value of diversity within any group. Education is the most effective tool in preventing discrimination, and in supporting equal opportunities.

The City of Clearwater maintains a long-standing commitment to positive community interaction and involvement. This department serves as the City liaison in efforts to stay in touch with the diverse needs of a diverse community.

Clearwater's commitment to diversity is celebrated in the mission and activities of its Diversity Leadership Council, a group of city employee representatives who seek ways to showcase the strength in differences among all people. Formed six years ago, the Council has been quietly moving forward to bring diversity awareness into the workplace and diversity outreach into the community. The group meets monthly to discuss diversity issues and plan special diversity-related events.

Among its many activities, the Council sponsors an annual Diversity Awareness Poster and coloring contest, open to youngsters who participate in the city’s Parks & Recreation summer camp programs. Winning artists receive prizes in each of four age categories: Pre-kindergarten, Primary grade students; Middle-school students; Camp Counselor interns (high school). First place winners in the upper three categories also win savings bond. All winners and their parents are presented at a City Council meeting at the end of the summer and participating artists' work is displayed in city facilities.

• NEW! - 2008 Poster Contest Winners Photo Gallery
• NEW! - 2008 Poster Contest Winning Posters
• 2007 Poster Contest Winners Group Photo

The Diversity Leadership Council works with the city’s Cultural Arts Division to offer a "Diversity Day" for city employees, holding an ethnic luncheon with cultural entertainment, display tables and presentations that raise diversity awareness.

The group staffs an information booth at city-sponsored events that are diversity related, such as the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in Coachman Park.

In addition the Council is working to establish and maintain diversity awareness in the workplace. Representatives assist the city's Equity Services Department to set and meet diversity goals each year for all city departments, from hiring practices to diversity-appropriate behavior, to recognizing and nurturing the benefits that a diverse workforce can bring to the entire organization.