Flight Projects Directorate Diversity Council Charter

The Flight Projects Directorate (FPD) Diversity Council is responsible
for serving as an advocate for diversity issues within the Directorate,
to address any barriers to cross cultural communication, and when
necessary to raise issues to the Center-level Diversity Council. The
Diversity Council's purpose is to assist the Director in creating an
environment that values, respects and fosters the recognition,
development, understanding and utilization of each employee's talents.
The Council encourages appreciation and utilization of the staff in the
FPD organization.

I.  AUTHORITY

The FPD establishes and sanctions the Code 400 Diversity Council. It
operates under this Charter and is consistent with the efforts of the
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Diversity Council and the Agency's
Diversity initiatives.

II. PURPOSE

The Code 400 Diversity Council's purpose is to assist all levels of
management in creating an environment that is conducive to the
recognition, development, understanding, and utilization of each
employee's abilities, skills, and knowledge in order to achieve maximum
productivity.

III. OBJECTIVES

The Council is chartered to:

A.  Provide advice, guidance and recommendations to the Director in
    planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Directorate's
    Diversity Program.

B.  Serve as a focal point for the concerns of employees with regard to
    diversity.

C.  Provide education forums for employees and managers on diversity and
    diversity-related matters.

D.  Help resolve Directorate-wide problems related to diversity

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IV. MEMBERSHIP

> The membership of the Council will consist of FPD employees dedicated
> to promoting diversity initiatives within the Directorate and working
> on diversity--related activities. Also the Directorate representatives
> to the Advisory Groups will serve on the Council. The Director of FPD
> will appoint the members. Council members are appointed to serve a
> minimum two-year term..
>
> Members may serve longer than two years if they have demonstrated that
> they are productive and dedicated members of the council. The Director
> of FPD will approve extensions beyond the nominal two-year term. The
> Council structure and selection process will be reviewed in the Fall
> of each year. The year is from January through December which allows
> for a smooth transition during the fall quarter.
>
> In constituting the Diversity Council, consideration will be given to
> representation of a broad range of ethnic groups, job titles and
> technical and administrative personnel and include individuals holding
> management and non-management positions. It will be re-evaluated as
> individual terms expire.

V. COUNCIL FUNCTIONS

A.  Contribute to the Center's annual updates of the Center's Diversity
    plan.

B.  Develop, monitor and evaluate implementation of the FPD Diversity
    Strategic Plan recommending actions to improve performance in
    implementing the plan to the Director FPD.

C.  Receive, consider, and transmit, as appropriate, proposals, areas of
    concern, and recommendations relating to diversity in the
    Directorate.  These topics will normally be Directorate-wide in
    scope or encompass more than one Division.  When necessary the
    Council will raise issues to the Center-level Diversity Council.

D.  Maintain liaison with similar committees at GSFC.

E.  Meet at least once annually with the Director and Deputy Director of
    FPD.

F.  Evaluate the effectiveness of the Council's structure and activities
    annually. Report to the Director annually and recommend any changes
    in the role and structure of the Council.

G.  Take the lead role in planning and implementing activities
    surrounding Diversity related activities (i.e., Celebrate Goddard
    Day).

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V.  COUNCIL OFFICERS

> The Council will elect a Chair, Vice Chair and Executive Secretary
> from among its members who will serve for a period of one year. The
> same individual may not serve as chair for more than two consecutive
> years. Subcommittee chairs will be selected as needed.

VI. COUNCIL MEETINGS (FREQUENCY AND ABSENCES)

> Meetings will be held once a month on the second Thursday from 1:00 pm
> -- 2:30 pm. Members will determine the need for additional meetings.
> Meetings of sub-committees will be on an as needed basis. If a member
> knows in advance that they will be absent, they must notify the Chair.

VII. FILLING VACANCIES

> Vacancies occurring on the committee for any reason will be filled in
> the same manner that the position was originally filled. The vacancy
> will be filled until the expiration of the appointment of the vacating
> member, at which time the new member may be reappointed to serve a
> full term.

VIII. COUNCIL DURATION

> The Council will be a standing Council of indefinite duration with
> continuance dependent on the annual evaluation and Director approval.

IX. COMMITTEES

> The Council will form committees as it considers necessary on a
> continuing or ad hoc basis.

X.  COUNCIL CHARTER AMENDMENTS

> This charter stands until revised by the Council and with final
> approval by the Director of FPD.
>
> APPROVED:
>
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>
> Director of FPD Date

Diversity Council Operating Agreements

*How we will work together as a team*

-   The Chair or Vice Chair will review commitments, expectations and
    Operating Agreements with each new member to ensure they understand
    their role.

-   Non-attribution: We will not attribute information shared by Council
    members without their explicit permission.

-   As team members, we agree that we will use the "formal process" for
    raising issues to the Center-level Diversity Council (we will not go
    directly to that level individually, as this degrades the integrity
    of this Council)

-   We will address difficult issues, questions or challenges
    face-to-face in Council meetings (not via email)

    -   We will speak to each other one-to-one if/when necessary to
        raise and/or resolve questions and issues

    -   If an issue is important for the full Council's involvement we
        will put it on the agenda for a future meeting

-   We will take 15 minutes at the start of each meeting or "Diversity
    Dialogue" (we will rotate leadership for the topic and discussion)

-   We will notify the Chair in advance when we can not attend a Council
    meeting or activity

-   If we can not be present, we will take responsibility to ensure that
    our role in the meeting is covered by another Council member

-   We will all continue to seek out other diverse members of the
    Directorate to participate on the Council