Important – NEW anti-racism employee advisory group

Dear Colleagues,

As Black Lives Matter protests have continued for 15 straight days, we’ve given much thought to VNSNY’s values and the role we need to play to confront racism in our community, within VNSNY, and in the neighborhoods we serve.

Racism in any form is unacceptable. While being a female executive has presented its own obstacles, I fully acknowledge the limits of my own life experience, and I recognize how vitally important it is to listen to black employees and other employees of color who have faced systemic injustice throughout their lives. We need to listen, to learn, and to reflect on what we are not doing, what we can do, and what comes next for VNSNY.

Today, I have asked our Human Resources department to establish an anti-racism employee advisory group. We hope this group can form immediately and begin by having a dialogue with leaders and fellow employees — conversations that may not be easy but are necessary to bring about change. With insight and guidance from this advisory group, we can begin to implement ideas and practices quickly, as well as shape the longer-term action plan for VNSNY.

At this time, we are looking for 20 volunteers to form the initial advisory group. If you are interested in volunteering, please email your name and contact information to [email protected] by the end of the day on Thursday, June 11.

Thank you!

Marki Flannery
President and Chief Executive Officer
Visiting Nurse Service of New York