Minority & Small Business Week PageA20 September 24. 2 00 8 Governor Encourages Diverse Workforce Orders agencies to get creative G ov. T ed K ulongoski has sig n e d an e x e c u tiv e o rd e r w hich directs agencies to co n tinue to im prove affirm ative action efforts and outlines tools agencies can use to create a m ore inclusive w ork e n v iro n m ent. T he recent executive order builds on an executive order issued by the G overnor in 2005 and updates agencies w ith in form ation on program s that will lead to a m ore inclusive w ork environm ent. “ S ta te g o v e rn m e n t m ust P hot «» by M ark W ashin «; ton /T he P ortland O bserver Business Diversity on 42nd Avenue Several Northeast 42nd Avenue area businesses participate in the first Saturday Marketplace at MeRae's on 42nd, a multicultural full service salon at 5842 N.E. 42nd Ave. Pictured (from left) are James Dixon o f Dixon's Rib Pit; Marie Larkins, MeRae's stylist and owner; Phyllis Spaulding o f Stage Struck; Rick Bronson o f Professional Pest Control Supplies; and Milane Cremeans o f Curvy Girls Clothing. International Trade Guide Now in Spanish A pop u lar guide to ex p o rt ing published by the U.S. Small B usiness A dm inistration has been translated into Spanish a n d isa v a ila b le o n S B A 's W eb site. “ B reaking into the T rade Game: A Small Business Guide to E x p o rtin g ” w as translated by A rg en tin a’s C h am b er o f E x p o rte rs an d w ill be d is se m in a te d as a jo in t e ffo rt b e tw e e n th e A r g e n tin e a n C h a m b e r an d th e S m all and M edium E n terp rise C on g ress o f th e A m e ric a s on In te rn a tio n al T rad e. BREAKING INTO THE TRADE GAME A Smill Bu»ln»»« Quid* Io Eipordng Jlj 1 Sandy K. Baruah “ In our global econom y, tra d e a m o n g n a tio n s has proven a leading factor in eco- V » MBtil »»Bil* .UBUWFH1M nom ic developm ent and jo b grow th. For small businesses, learning how to break into the international trade gam e is a m ust to m ake them m ore com petitive,” said SB A A ct ing A d m inistrator Sandy K. B a r u a h . “ W e a r e v e ry pleased that this translation will m ake this invaluable tool a v a ila b le to th o u sa n d s o f businesses in our hem isphere, including the m any S panish speaking entrepreneurs in the U .S., and w e thank those w ho m ade it p ossible.” “ B reaking into the T rade G am e: A S m all B usin ess G uide to E xporting” is av ail able online at sb a.g o v /o it. Gov. Ted Kulongoski State agencies need to foster an inclusive work environment and continue to take all steps available to them to create a diverse workforce... - Gov. Ted Kulongoski respect the rights o f all e m p l o y e e s ,” G o v e rn o r K ulongoski said. “State a g en cies need to foster an inclusive w ork en v ironm ent and c o n tinue to ta k e a ll steps available to them to create a diverse w orkforce and ensure em ploy ees are respected and treated fairly.” T he ex ecutive o rd er directs agencies to review affirm a tive action plans and e n co u r a g e s th e m to w o rk w ith G o v e rn o r’s A ffirm ative A c tion O ffice to continue training designed to im prove em p lo y e e s’ skills and com petency in m anaging affirm ative action and diversity issues. T he ex ecutive o rd er also enco u rag es agencies to use an exit interview process d e veloped w ith the D epartm ent o f A dm inistrative S ervices to offer state em ployees the o p portunity to provide feedback on th eir experiences in their em ploym ent before m oving to another agency or job. T he D epartm ent o f A dm in istrative Services will also con duct periodic audits on m an a g e m e n t e f f e c tiv e n e s s in achieving specific agency af firm ative action goals. “T his executive order will strengthen o u r efforts to open the doors for m any O reg o nians that have traditionally faced barriers o f gaining e m ploym ent o r advancing in the w orkplace,” K ulongoski said. “ W e can achieve the goals o f a diverse w orkforce through open m inds and acom m itm ent to an inclusive culture in state g o v ern m en t.” The City of Portland, Multnomah County, and Metro Grow want your small business to be successful. 1 We have several programs to help minority, women and emerging small business owners reach the goals they've set out to achieve. Contact us about contracting opportunities for both construction companies and professional services consultants. CITY OF PORTLAND: Bureau of Purchases - Greg Wolley 503-957-0024 • gwolley@ci.portland.or.us www.portlandonline.com/omf/purchases ^3J Bureau of Development . S S j Services P ortland T ransportation MULTNOMAH COUNTY OREGON Bureau of Development Services Tiffani Penson • 503-823-1109 tiffani.penson@ci.portland.or.us www.portlandonline.com/bds Office of Transportation Richard Gray 503-823-5250 • richard.gray@pdxtrans.org www.portlandonline.com/transportation MULTNOMAH COUNTY: Robert L. Fields • 503-988-5111, xt. 22769 robert.l.fields@co.multnomah.or.us www.multcopurch.org METRO: Angela Watkins • 503-797-1816 angela.watkins@oregonmetro.gov www.metro-region.org