FAPAC and Government’s Efforts in Diversity

By Corih Kim

The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) held its 30^th Annual National Leadership Training Program at the Hilton Rockville in Maryland from May 4-8, 2015. Open to all federal government employees, the weeklong event coincided with Asian Pacific Heritage Month, and operated in the spirit of the theme: “Many Cultures, One Voice: Promote Equality and Inclusion.”

Each agency held workshops and training for their employees, with most of them geared toward ways to improve or bringing positive and effective change through diversity. Bruce Stewart and Nicole Lassiter of the Office of Personal Management provided AAPI Special Emphasis Program Manager Training regarding the importance of diverse team in promoting effective change. In his later lectures, Mr. Stewart emphasized the importance of diverse group, stating, “in every group, there must be four people to effectuate change: the promoter, the socializer, the presenter, and the information-savvy.” To get such variety of people, he emphasized the need for diversity in the workplace, and that different cultural backgrounds aided in effectuating change from the smallest scale to the agency itself.

Each government agency held scheduled events for its employees, explaining the need for diversity in race, gender, and sexual orientation in creating a well-balanced government, as well as in effective conflict management.

 

In a brief interview with G. Castillo of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he explained the value of AAPI communities’ effect on government change, and the value of cultural differences in reflecting and promoting a culturally balanced government.

 

The event honored Admiral Paul Zukunft, 25^th Commandant of the US Coast Guard, Montgomery Councilman Isiah Leggett, and Delegate Kumar Barve of Maryland. In his speech, Admiral Zukunft lauded the efforts of FAPAC, and proudly announced the newest class of the US Coast Guard Academy to be the most diverse out of all military branches. He explained that a leader surrounded by those who all think the same way could only lead a failing organization; that diversity in any form or shape is an important aspect of a successful organization. Both Councilman Leggett and Delegate Barve expressed his pride at the continued success and development of FAPAC, and emphasized the importance of minority representation in government.

The Leadership Training Program included many keynote speakers and events spanning over a week. On May 6, 2015, the FAPAC hosted a career fair open to the public, represented by over thirty different government agencies.

FAPAC successfully concluded its Program on May 8, 2015, with information for federal employees’ transition into retirement and living a responsible but fulfilling life. The event is open to all federal employees, and FAPAC holds other events and scholarships for those in the AAPI communities interested in joining the ranks of those in the federal government agencies. Those interested in learning more about this organization should visit www.fapac.org.