Goodbye Affirmative Action--Hello Diversity!                        April 2005

The ASPA Code of Ethics and the ICMA Guidelines for implementing its Code have shared a common commitment to the language of "affirmative action." But not any longer. The ICMA Executive Board has approved changes in the Code's Guidelines which remove the reference to "affirmative action" and substitute the language of "diversity." ASPA does not have the exact equivalent of guidelines which means that any changes to the Code require a vote of approval by the membership. Any change in ASPA code language requires approval by the full membership.

Other changes made by the ICMA Executive Board exhort members to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or physical disability. The complete guidelines for defining equal opportunity follows: "All decisions pertaining to appointments, pay adjustments, promotions, and discipline should prohibit discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability, age, or martial status. It should be the members' personal and professional responsibility to actively recruit and hire a diverse staff throughout their organizations."

References -- see ICMA Newsletter, August 23, 2004