1. Civil Rights and Diversity
Welcome to NC Cooperative Extension’s Civil Rights and Diversity training for volunteers and advisory leadership members.

2. Annual civil rights training is required for all Extension staff, volunteers, advisory councils and committees. Everyone making decision or carrying out actions on behalf of an Extension program are responsible to make sure the program is inclusive for everyone.

3. No matter how you define it - linguistically, culturally, religiously, ethnically the United States is the most demographically diverse nation in world history
The term diversity symbolizes our human differences. No matter how you define it, linguistically, culturally, religiously, ethnically the United States is the most demographically diverse nation in world history.

4. It all started with… The Civil Rights Act of 1964
…no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of an applicant or recipient receiving Federal financial assistance…
The foundation of Extension’s civil rights policies and procedures is the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which states… No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
It all started with… The Civil Rights Act of 1964

5. The word discriminate means that a person or group of people are treated differently from other people or groups. Discrimination may occur if a person is: denied benefits or services provided under the program; they are provided a benefit that is different or is provided in a different manner from that provided to others; they are subjected to segregation or disparate treatment; or they are restricted from taking part in or enjoying any benefit that is enjoyed by others. Discrimination may include disparate treatment which occurs when someone is treated differently because the person belongs to a certain group; disparate impact which occurs when an action or rule has different outcomes for different groups of people; and finally retaliation which is when someone receives negative treatment due to their prior civil rights activity or for filing a civil rights complaint. The goal of this training is to help us prevent instances of discrimination within Extension programs.

6. Public Notification
An important way to prevent discrimination is to provide information about the availability of extension programs and services to all people who would be interested in our programs or who might benefit from our programs. We can let people know about their right to access Extension programs and services through fliers, websites, social media, mailings, newspaper, radio, and so on. In an effort to reach out to underserved audiences we should use targeted outreach through media, community events, and other community organizations to advertise our programs to audiences that don’t traditionally use extension programs and services. When advertising our programs we need to use language, photos and graphics to convey the message of nondiscrimination. Our program announcements and materials should show diversity in race, age, ability, and so forth. By knowing the primary languages used by members of the community information and outreach can also be provided in other languages. We also want to advise potential clientele that we don’t discriminate. This is done though the display of the …and justice for all poster in county extension offices as well as including the non-discrimination statement on all printed materials. We also need to inform other groups that we cooperate with of our nondiscrimination policy and our inability to provide significant assistance to any groups that discriminate.

7. Non Discrimination Statement
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status.
Everyone who works or volunteers for NC Cooperative Extension, in whatever capacity, must be committed to upholding the true spirit and intent of our nondiscrimination statement in our words as well as in our actions, not so much because it is the legal thing to do but, more importantly, because it is the right thing to do. Volunteers assisting with Extension programs and members of our advisory groups must follow Extension civil rights policies. Our nondiscrimination statement serves as an important tool to notify people of their right to participate in our programs. Make sure to include this statement on all printed program announcements, flyers, or brochures.

8. The delivery of Extension programs must be done such that individuals or groups of individuals are not denied access to our programs. This begins with considering cultural or ethnic differences when planning programs. A great way to make sure we are considering these differences is to increase participation on program planning and advisory committees by under-represented groups. By planning inclusive programming we are more likely to increase participation in programs by under-represented groups. We are not permitted to have segregated groups or clubs which limit membership based on a protected class. To provide access to persons with disabilities we may have to make adjustments to our programs or facilities or make other accommodations. When conducting programs we may need to provide language assistance for persons with limited English proficiency. We need you as a volunteer or as one of our advisory leaders to help us ensure programs are available to all people within your county that may benefit from participation.
Program Delivery

9. Participation Barriers
We all need to consider barriers that may effect a persons ability to access our programs. We need to consider the location of our programs and how we deliver programs. Access barriers are the factors in a person’s environment that, through their absence or presence, limit functioning. These include aspects such as: a physical environment that is not accessible, lack of assistive technology, or negative attitudes of people towards disability. We are prohibited discriminating on the basis of disability in all services, programs and activities provided to the public. We are obligated to ensure that members of the public are provided reasonable accommodations in order to access program information and services. Your county Extension staff can assist with making accommodations for persons with disabilities.
Language barriers impact potential program participants who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. We are required to take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to programs and activities by person with Limited English Proficiency. Talk to your county Extension staff if language services are needed.
Cultural barriers can limit or even exclude participation by racial, minority, religious and ethnic groups. These barriers may exclude clientele from initially attending a program or activity; or may persuade individuals from returning to other program or activity. Examples of such cultural barriers can include: scheduling events that conflict with major religious or ethnic holidays or events; having programs or events in potentially uncomfortable locations such as churches; or locations where minority groups were previously rejected or had unpleasant experiences; or holding program activities that include food or activities that are insensitive to religious or cultural dietary or behavioral restrictions.
Finally, economic barriers can limit or exclude participation of disadvantaged, racial, minority, and ethnic groups. Examples include: programs, activities that require extensive purchases of equipment or supplies; programs that involve fees, meals, and travel; and programs that are conducted at certain times of the day or certain days of the week. Similarly, families with small children, single-parents, two-earner households, or other underserved audiences may be unable to participate in Extension events at certain times of day or certain days of the week.

10. When interacting with others ask yourself Am I treating this person in the same manner I treat others? Have I provided this person with information needed to make necessary decisions? And Am I treating others as I would wish to be treated? Reflection on these three questions will help you ensure all current and potential Extension customers are treated with respect.
Customer Service

11. Attack the problem, not the person and listen to understand the problem!
If you encounter conflict attack the problem not the person. Conflict resolution is about listening and understanding the problem. Keep an open mind, don’t prejudge others, and don’t overreact to the situation.
Conflict Resolution

12. Complaints
People who believe they have been discriminated against have a right to file a complaint.  Most “civil rights” complaints are actually customer service issues such as claims of rudeness, impatience, lack of understanding or compassion; and, as much as possible, we want these matters resolved on a local level. If a client reports unfair treatment that they perceive to be based on any of the protected classes or if they simply feel that they have been discriminated against and want to make a complaint, we are required to assist them. Immediately let an Extension staff member know so they can help to resolve the situation. All customers or potential customers have the right to file a complaint with the state Extension office or the UDSA.

13. Data Collection
Extension is required to collect data on the race, ethnicity, and sex of our program participants and contacts. This data helps us determine if our potential audience is actually using our services, reveals if certain racial or ethnic groups or genders are not receiving services, and improves outreach efforts to underserved groups. It is important that any data you have access to is kept secure and the privacy rights of our participants are maintained.

14. Compliance with civil rights rules and regulations is monitored though annual County Extension Director reviews, county audits every 4 years by the District Extension Director, and periodic onsite reviews by the USDA.

15. A parting thought…
As we conclude I will leave you with a parting thought … We could learn from crayons. Some are sharp, some dull, some pretty, some have weird names, and all are different colors... but they all live in the same box.
We could learn from crayons. Some are sharp, some dull, some pretty, some have weird names, and all are different colors... but they all live in the same box. -Robert Fulghum