OCA TASKFORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

An open letter to OCA from former OCA staff was published on social media on August 17, 2020. To address the allegations made in the open letter, OCA established the OCA Taskforce, which consisted of members of OCA’s Executive Council and OCA’s pro bono General Counsel.

 The OCA Taskforce conducted an internal review that covered numerous interviews and document review. The OCA Taskforce reported its findings and recommendations to OCA’s National Board on Nov. 1, 2020. Below is a summary of the Taskforce’s recommendations.

PART I: Taskforce Recommendations Regarding Workplace Culture Salary & High Employee Turnover

• The salary recommendations and high employee turnover concerns are to be reviewed with the OCA Personnel Committee including Finance for update. More details are to be released and changes will be implemented.

• The salary review may include an audit of similar size civil rights and advocacy groups and geographical area to level out appropriate salary recommendation.

 Sexual Harassment Policy & Training

• Training should be conducted each year beyond what is in the OCA Employee/Personnel Handbook along with process and policy improvements to the handbook.

 Gender Pronouns Policy & Training

• Training should be conducted on gender pronouns and conducted on an annual basis. Also, such information should be added to the OCA Employee/Personnel Handbook.

PART II: Taskforce Recommendations on Corporate Funding and Conflicts of Interest

 Corporate Funding

• OCA Leadership (Executive Council and Executive Management) should continue to support and take part in shaping and directing public policy matters with OCA’s policy team on a regular and timely basis, and continue doing so independent of corporate funding supported by OCA Leadership. For example:

o   OCA Leadership should articulate how it arrives at public affairs and public policy positions by way of inter-organization dialogue, research, involvement with other APA organizations.

o   Protocols should be set for posting on the website, only after critical review by OCA Leadership.

• OCA should consider potential foundation and/or independent funding to support OCA’s public policy initiatives and the Policy team.

Conflicts of Interest – Ken Lee and Sharon Wong

• No conflicts were found

• Ken Lee and Sharon Wong recused themselves at appropriate times

 PART III: Task Force Recommendations on OCA’s Responsibilities as a Civil Rights Organization

 Responsibilities as a Civil Rights Organization

• Conduct a review of OCA’s National Bylaws policy for discussion and modification, if applicable.

• OCA National policy platform should be reviewed with the National Board and approved accordingly.

• OCA National workshops need to be approved by OCA’s Executive Management (CEO and ED) before presented to the public.

• All resolutions should be presented to OCA’s Executive Management for review before introduction to the OCA National Board.

• All policy activity should be reviewed in a timely manner whether by the OCA National Board or the Executive Council.

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