The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), including the Office of the Secretary and its boards, departments, and office (BDOs), recognizes that a highly skilled, diverse and inclusive workforce is a critical element in building a high-performing agency. Senior leaders and managers have direct involvement in cultivating a workplace that attracts, develops and retains diverse, qualified employees to effectively protect public health and the environment. The Affinity Groups Program (AGP or Program) is implemented primarily to ensure equal opportunity in employment and program activities intended to improve the workplace environment, promoting and fostering diversity in the workplace through awareness and education. Affinity Groups Program Managers (AGPMs) play a vital role in assisting senior leadership in the effort to maintain a diverse, qualified, and inclusive workforce.

The purposes of this Program are as follows:

• Ensure that CalEPA cultivates a safe and welcoming environment for all employees;
• Provide a platform for employees to contribute to CalEPA’s efforts to promote diversity and an all-inclusive workforce;

• Improve communication channels and promote awareness and appreciation for the differences our groups offer.

Affinity Groups are voluntary, employee-driven groups that promote a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with CalEPA’s missions, values, goals, and objectives. Such groups are typically created around and focused on issues affecting persons from traditionally underrepresented groups. They include groups of employees having a common interest in mentoring each other and assisting CalEPA with community support. This Program will allow employees who desire to work together to more formally seek recognition as an Affinity Group. This will help ensure that persons from underrepresented groups feel welcomed and valued at CalEPA.

Membership in recognized Affinity Groups is open to all current employees at CalEPA interested in supporting the respective Affinity Group’s missions and objectives. Any employee of CalEPA who supports the Affinity Group’s mission is welcome to join. Membership may not be denied or granted based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.

How to join the Program

General Membership: Once an Affinity Group is established with a designated Program Manager, employees may begin participating with supervisor approval up to four (4) hours per month. Employees need not submit an application to the Affinity Groups Program to become a general member.

• Please check out the current list of established Affinity Groups and their intranet pages for more information about meeting times and locations (once they are established).
• If you do not see a group you are interested in joining on this list, please consider submitting a New Affinity Group Application and Affinity Groups Program Manager Application.

Program Managers and New Affinity Groups: Employees can apply to form a new Affinity Group and become an Affinity Group’s Program Manager, with supervisor approval. Approved Program Managers may participate in the Program up to eight (8) hours per month, with supervisor approval.

• See Section III of the Charter (pages 2 – 6) regarding Affinity Groups, including topics on criteria for recognition, responsibilities, and the application process.
• See Section IV of the Charter (pages 6 – 7) regarding Affinity Groups Program Managers (AGPMs), including selection criteria, term, training, and resources.

For more details regarding the Affinity Groups Program, please review the Charter and the Orientation Package on the right-hand side of this page.