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14 June 2018

Auxiliary Members:

What are our values? Not just our core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty, but what else do we consider important enough to ensure it is part of our culture, of who we are, how we think, act, and perform?

Diversity must continue to become one of our values. It recognizes and appreciates the variety of characteristics that make people unique. It creates and sustains an atmosphere that promotes and celebrates individual and collective achievement. Commitment, courage, cognizance of bias, curiosity, cultural intelligence, and collaboration are traits of an inclusive leader and organization. Our mission additionally is to build a positive environment for all who join regardless of their similarities and differences, and to maintain a climate of respect for all.

We have a number of Flotillas and Divisions that have no diversity officer, and therefore, there’s no focus on diversity and all of the advantages that diversity offers. That position is not viewed as important. It is not seen as an integral part of our missions. The Coast Guard values diversity and so do I. Diversity is important and must be seen as a path to more growth, mission success, and to making the Auxiliary a favored volunteer force to join.

Attached you will find the new District 7 Diversity Policy. Please read it and make it part of our total and complete culture. Participate in diversity training, include diversity dialogue as part of your meetings, and practice inclusion in what you do. It must be practiced by everyone and owned by all. Diversity and inclusion is a commitment and a responsibility to ensure our relevancy, our success and our future.

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