The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Freddie O'Connell, Mayor
Executive Order 24
Subject: Training of all Board and Commission Members of the Metropolitan Government in Diversity Issues and Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County to prohibit discrimination against individuals or groups of individuals because of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age or disabilities; and
WHEREAS, sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination; and
WHEREAS, section 11.20.130 of the Metropolitan Code makes it unlawful for the Metropolitan Government to fail or refuse to hire or promote, or to discharge any individual, because of such individual's race, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, color, age, and/or disability; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government has a training program on diversity issues and sexual harassment awareness for its employees; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government is interested in providing an opportunity for all of its representatives to receive training on diversity issues and sexual harassment awareness; and
WHEREAS, such training would help all board and commission members of the Metropolitan Government in the performance of their public duties.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, do hereby find, direct, and order the following:
1. Training Program. The Metropolitan Department of Personnel, with the assistance of the Metropolitan Department of Law, and in consultation with the Human Relations Commission, shall maintain a program on diversity issues and sexual harassment awareness and maintain a plan on presenting this program to all board and commission members of the Metropolitan Government. Such training shall include information about the Metropolitan Government’s policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, color, age, and/or disability.
2. Board and Commission Member Training. All board and commission members of the Metropolitan Government are required to participate and complete the training seminar that shall be conducted under the direction of the Metropolitan Department of Personnel.
3. Persons Covered. This training directive shall apply to all board and commission members of the Metropolitan Government who are appointed to their position by authority of the Metropolitan Mayor and confirmed by the Metropolitan County Council. This directive shall further apply to all board and commission members of the Metropolitan Government who attain their position by virtue of appointment by the Metropolitan Charter. I hereby request that all board and commission members who achieve their position as a result of direct election by the Metropolitan Council or popular election by the residents of Nashville and Davidson County voluntarily participate in this training.
4. Implementation Schedule. The Metropolitan Department of Personnel is responsible for providing this training to all new board and/or commission members of the Metropolitan Government. These new board and/or commission members shall receive the requisite training within 90 days from the date of their confirmation.
5. Quarterly Status Reports. The Metropolitan Department of Personnel shall report quarterly to the Office of the Mayor on the status of the training provided for herein. The report shall specify the Boards and Commissions that have complied, or failed to comply, with this Executive Order.
Ordered, Effective and Issued: January 17, 2024
Freddie O’Connell
Metropolitan County Mayor