Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Office (DEI)


DEI Vision Statement

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office envisions an inclusive environment that embraces change, new ideas, respect for the individual, and a shared opportunity to succeed. The DEI Director will serve as an advisor, educator for workforce change, and spearhead for community engagement. The director will work with town staff and volunteers to promote an understanding of how equity, inclusion, and access can impact their work and the resident experience of the Town.

DEI Mission Statement

The Town of Provincetown shares a desire to preserve our unique small-town identity and heritage. Yet, we look to the future to grow and develop. Creating a better community begins with a commitment to equity and inclusion. The DEI Office will help to achieve this by: 

  1. Examining Town policies, services, and practices to ensure fair access and resource allocation, mitigate the effects of potential bias, and create inclusive processes that drive decision-making. 
  2. Participating in initiatives that welcome all residents and visitors who explore our hospitality. 
  3. Supporting ideas that create a welcoming and inclusive environment for residents, businesses, and visitors. 
  4. Encouraging public participation and collaboration.

DEI Operations

Since starting in May 2022, the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been working closely with Town staff to learn how the Town Hall functions. Ongoing meetings are taking place with the Town Manager, Departmental Managers, and general staff to understand the process used to serve the town.  From these meetings, the Director has developed an Operational Strategic Plan to highlight issues related to equity and inclusion.

The next step has been to create an Employee DEI Training Manual to look at employee understanding of DEI, encourage employee resource groups (affinity groups) that communicate best practices by shared areas of interest, and serve as internal feedback channels as we review Town policies and practices.

Community Engagement

Our goals for the Town of Provincetown are to provide fair, just, respectful, and equitable service and interactions, regardless of race and ethnicity, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, and other protected classes of people. Equity means treating people through public policies with an understanding of the unique circumstances and conditions they bring to the table.

Here are a couple of examples. Do older residents face barriers to services because the policy assumes to benefit younger residents? If English is a second or third language, are we providing documents and interpreters to understand the materials? These kinds of examples may give you the underlying meaning of equity. This is where we start as a town and plan to build on a shared understanding. Also, to be sure everyone understands that this work is ongoing.

This entails reviewing systemic and structural inequities through an equity lens. Training town staff and volunteers are part of the first steps in this work. As we move through levels of training, we will directly engage community members in climate surveys, focus groups, and other data-gathering information to gain feedback from residents on the way we communicate these services and resources.

Ease of Accessibility to Current Resources

Below are ways to understand how community members can be involved in shaping our town's cultural norms for inclusion.

Town Manager’s Welcome

Click on this link to access the Town Manager’s Welcome, access reports, and relevant News Flashes.

Become Change Agents for Provincetown

We welcome volunteers to join us as stewards of the Town. There are openings for people to volunteer on Boards and Committees. Click this link to learn more. 

How Do I…?

Are you looking for access? Do you need help finding the right department or service? Click here to find what you need.

Keep checking this page as we add additional information.