Diversity Thursday

Another example that at the highest levels of leadership in the Navy we either believe the the Navy is best served by supporting with what little TAD money we have organizations that are in favor of sectarianism, division, and racist policies - or we lack the intellectual courage to stand up and say otherwise.

Never in the history of civilization has a society or an organization prospered by forcing a world view on its members that wants them to focus on what makes them different - not what unifies them.

Shame. Shame. Shame. Leaders feeding division; feeding sectarianism in the ranks; enabling hate. Shame

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R 222245Z APR 10
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TO NAVADMIN
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NAVADMIN 143/10

MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/APR//

SUBJ/2010 JOINT NATIONAL NAVAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AND ASSOCIATION OF NAVAL SERVICES OFFICERS CONFERENCE//

RMKS/1. THIS NAVADMIN ANNOUNCES THE FIRST EVER JOINT NATIONAL NAVAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (NNOA) AND ASSOCIATION OF NAVAL SERVICES OFFICERS (ANSO) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING CONFERENCE TO BE HELD 26-30 JULY 2010 AT THE PORTSMOUTH RENAISSANCE HOTEL, PORTSMOUTH, VA. ANTICIPATED SPEAKERS ARE: ADM GARY ROUGHEAD (CNO), GEN JAMES T. CONWAY (CMC), ADM ROBERT J. PAPP JR. (USCG), MASTER CHIEF RICK D. WEST (MCPON), SERGEANT MAJOR CARLTON W. KENT (SMMC), AND MASTER CHIEF CHARLES W. BOWEN (MCPOCG). THE 2010 JOINT CONFERENCE THEME IS "NNOA/ANSO: PASSIONATE PARTNERS IN ACHIEVING THE POSSIBLE - NOW AND IN THE FUTURE."
2. NNOA IS THE LARGEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN OFFICER AFFINITY GROUP RECOGNIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. ANSO IS THE LARGEST HISPANIC AMERICAN OFFICER AND ENLISTED (ASPIRING OFFICER) AFFINITY GROUP RECOGNIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. THEIR COLLECTIVE MEMBERSHIP EXCEEDS 2,000 NAVY, MARINE CORPS, AND COAST GUARD PERSONNEL. BOTH ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF ASSISTING THE NAVY, COAST GUARD, AND MARINE CORPS IN RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MINORITY OFFICERS.
3. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS CONSISTENT WITH NAVY'S DIVERSITY POLICY, WHICH DIRECTS LEADERS TO ANTICIPATE AND EMBRACE THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES OF TOMORROW AND BUILD A NAVY THAT WILL REFLECT THE MAKE-UP OF OUR COUNTRY. THE NAVY, MARINE CORPS AND COAST GUARD SERVICE CHIEFS ARE DEMONSTRATING THEIR COMMITMENT BY ENCOURAGING FLAG AND GENERAL OFFICERS TO PERSONALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE MANY MENTORING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THE WEEK. COMMANDING OFFICERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT JUNIOR OFFICER ATTENDANCE, IF REQUESTED, IN ORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS UNIQUE MENTORING FORUM.
4. THIS YEAR ALSO MARKS AN ELEVATED FOCUS ON OUR FAMILIES. A WORKSHOP FOR SPOUSES WILL BE HELD ON 29 JULY 2010, HIGHLIGHTED BY THE NAVY DAY LUNCHEON FEATURING ADM ROUGHEAD AS GUEST SPEAKER. CONFERENCE ATTENDEES ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKSHOP AND THE LUNCHEON WITH THEIR SPOUSE.
5. DRESS FOR NAVY PERSONNEL WILL BE SERVICE KHAKI FOR MILITARY AND BUSINESS ATTIRE FOR CIVILIANS. NAVY UNIFORM FOR THE FORMAL AWARDS BANQUET WILL BE DINNER DRESS WHITE JACKET (OR OPTIONAL SERVICE DRESS WHITE FOR O-3 AND BELOW) AND BLACK TIE (OR EQUIVALENT) FOR CIVILIANS AND GUESTS.
6. USE OF COMMAND TRAVEL FUNDS IS AUTHORIZED. IF COMMAND TRAVEL FUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, NO-COST TEMPORARY ADDITIONAL DUTY ORDERS MAY BE ISSUED. USE OF AVAILABLE GOVERNMENT TRANSPORTATION IS ENCOURAGED TO ENHANCE CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION AND TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST OF TEMPORARY ADDITIONAL DUTY ORDERS. THE ADDRESS FOR THE EVENT IS PORTSMOUTH RENAISSANCE HOTEL, 425 WATER STREET, PORTSMOUTH, VA 23704. THE DEADLINE FOR RESERVING ROOMS AT THE PER DIEM RATE IS 5 JULY 2010. THE CHIEF OF NAVAL PERSONNEL WILL FUND THE FIRST 100 CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS EACH FOR NNOA AND ANSO (200 TOTAL).
7. CONFERENCE FEES ARE $325 FOR LIFE MEMBERS, $350 FOR MEMBERS, AND $375 FOR NON-MEMBERS. AN ADDITIONAL $50 LATE FEE WILL BE APPLIED FOR ATTENDEES WHO REGISTER AFTER 16 JULY 2010. FOR NAVY PERSONNEL INTERESTED IN JOINING AND REGISTERING FOR THE CONFERENCE UNDER NNOA, VISIT THE NNOA WEBSITE AT WWW.NNOA.ORG. FOR NAVY PERSONNEL INTERESTED IN JOINING AND REGISTERING FOR THE CONFERENCE UNDER ANSO, VISIT THE ANSO WEBSITE AT WWW.ANSOMIL.ORG. EARLY CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AND ROOM RESERVATIONS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.

8. POINTS OF CONTACT:
- CAPT CEDRIC [REDACTED] PRINGLE, AT (703) 614-[REDACTED]/DSN 224 OR EMAIL AT NAVY-REP(AT)NNOA.ORG OR CEDRIC.[REDACTED](AT)JS.PENTAGON.MIL.
- LCDR CESAR [REDACTED], OPNAV N134, AT (703) 614-[REDACTED] OR EMAIL AT CESAR.[REDACTED]@NAVY.MIL.
- LCDR BEULAH [REDACTED] (RET), AT (703) 922-[REDACTED] OR EMAIL AT EA(AT)NNOA.ORG.

9. RELEASED BY MS. STEFFANIE [REDACTED], N1B. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.//

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Oh, and in case you don't know about organizations called "Affinity Groups."

Here are some others represented by a law firm Holland and Knight.

Affinity Groups

Through the firm’s seven Affinity Groups, our diverse lawyers and staff are able to address the distinct challenges and opportunities that arise as a result of our differences. By promoting and encouraging members, the Affinity Groups help to sustain an environment that is inclusive and supportive, which fosters both personal and professional success. Our Affinity Groups have helped to distinguish Holland & Knight through the visibility and opportunity extended to members.

The firm’s Affinity Groups are as follows:

African American Affinity Group
Asian/Pacific Islander Affinity Group
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Affinity Group
Gay, Lesbian Or Bisexual Employees (GLOBE) Affinity Group
Hispanic Affinity Group
Native American Affinity Group
Women’s Initiative

Reflect America? Reflect your Navy? Even if you buy into the cancer of a racialist world-view, this sure doesn't reflect USA in 2040.

Kind of like building concrete without aggregate - and just as effective.