The document summarizes an event hosted by the South Asian Network (SAN) and East Asian Network Group celebrating Asian cultures. It describes the opening remarks, an educational presentation on the significance of colors in Asian cultures, and a fashion show featuring traditional outfits from East and South Asia. It also announces the need for stem cell donors for a SAN member diagnosed with leukemia and encourages registering to become a donor. Finally, it advertises upcoming events celebrating Pride and Aboriginal Day.

1. JUNE 20, 2014
"An individual has not started
living until he can rise above
the narrow confines of his
individualistic concerns to the
broader concerns of all
humanity."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Rosabelle Sankar,
Chair
Doreen Thibert,
Vice-Chair
SAN Board Members
We welcome SAN Member
story suggestions, photo
submissions and comments.
Email us.
Cultural and religious days
in June 2014:
Visit the OPS Diversity
Calendar for a listing of all
significant days.
Pride and Celebration at the
“Colours in Asian Cultures” Event
The OPS South Asian Network (SAN) along
with the East Asian Network Group (EANG)
hosted the “Colors in Asian Cultures”
event in recognition and celebration of the
significant contributions over the last
century, and the rich history these two
communities have in helping to shape
Canada into a diverse society.
Co-hosts Thomas Chong, co-Chair of EANG opened the event with welcome
remarks; and Rosabelle Sankar, Chair of SAN, provided opening remarks
encouraging employees to increase their cultural awareness to promote
inclusion and MC-ed the event as well. The concept of being respectful, kind
and considerate to build healthy relationships was reinforced by Debbie
Moretta, SAN’s Executive Sponsor, and Mel White who provided remarks on
behalf of the Chief Officer for Diversity and Accessibility. A key message from
their remarks was to avoid rumors – if you should hear rumors, do not repeat
them; meet new people – have coffee/lunch with colleagues to get to know
them better – this will help to build stronger collegial relationships and mutual
understanding.
The event also included an educational presentation on the perspective and
significance of colours from both East Asian and South Asian perspectives; a
fashion show depicting the use of colours in traditional and modern outfits;
and, a visual art display featuring both photography and paintings. Of course,
no celebration would be complete without food! To keep in the celebratory
mood, Asian inspired foods including samosas, sweets/mithai, noodles, and
vegetarian and meat dishes were available at a minimum cost, with some
proceeds going towards the OPS Federated Health campaign.
The event at St. Lawrence Lounge, 900 Bay Street, attracted a large crowd of
OPS staff, including members of both networks. In fact the venue remained
packed until the event was over as attendees waited in anticipation for the
fashion show, which did not disappoint. The show featured international
models who displayed colourful, ornately decorated, and creatively designed

2. traditional and modern outfits. Without a doubt, this was the highlight of the
event!
View a selection of photos from the event here.
URGENT: Stem Cell Donors Needed!
Calling on all our SAN members and their family and friends
to consider becoming a stem cell donor for Manjusha
Pawagi, a member of the South Asian community who has
been diagnosed with leukemia and is undergoing chemo
treatment. She urgently needs stem cell donation from
matching donors, which will improve her chances for
recovery.
Finding a matching donor is considered to be a low probability event.
However, if the donor has the same ethnicity as the patient, this probability
increases significantly. At present, there is a severe shortage of donors and
active participation from people from the South Asian community is urgently
needed.
Find out how you can register to become a
donor today!
On June 19, join your OPS colleagues in
celebrating National Aboriginal Day!
Music, dance, stories and food are great entry points to learning about another
culture – and the OPS National Aboriginal Day Celebration includes all of those
things.

3. Come to the St. Lawrence Lounge, 900 Bay Street, Toronto on June 19 and you
can:
• See First Nation dancers perform traditional dances, including the
Smoke Dance and the Hoop Dance
• Tap your toes to a performance by a Métis fiddler
• Hear Inuit throat singers imitate the sounds of the Arctic
• Listen to a reading from award-winning author Cherie Dimaline
• Learn about Métis perspectives from Métis Nation of Ontario Youth
Representative Mitchell Case
• Try some bannock
• Visit information and vendor booths.
While the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs leads and coordinates Aboriginal policy
initiatives, almost every ministry has a role to play in delivering programs and
services for Aboriginal people living in Ontario. The OPS celebration is a great
way for staff from all ministries to learn about the unique cultures and
perspectives of First Nation, Inuit and Métis people.
The 2014 OPS National Aboriginal Day Celebration is proudly presented by the
Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and Nation to Nation: The OPS Aboriginal
Employees Network.
For an event agenda or to learn about other National Aboriginal Day events
taking place across the province visit the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs intranet.
Working Towards Inclusion in the OPS
As part of the South Asian Network’s ongoing commitment
to promote diversity and inclusion in the OPS, we are
pleased to feature an informative interview with Binh Lu, the
Co-Chair of OPS Pride Network (OPN), on how they are
integrating diversity and inclusion in the OPS.
What is the OPS Pride vision, and how is the Network promoting an inclusive
OPS?
The Vision of the OPN is an LGBTQ inclusive organization that supports all OPS
employees to achieve their full potential and to deliver excellent public service.
What are your views of this year’s WorldPride celebrations in Toronto and
how is OPS Pride celebrating?
WorldPride is an international celebration incorporating activism, education,
and the history and culture of global LGBTQ communities that will run from

4. June 20th
– June 29th
, 2014. This year, Toronto has the honor of hosting
WorldPride with the theme of ‘Rise Up’ in the joyous celebration of the range
of human experience, encouraging people to come together and proudly be
ourselves. The theme ‘Rise Up’ also brings with it a suggestion of social change.
There are still places in the world that actively promote barriers and
discriminatory laws. Even within Ontario, there are still people who experience
discrimination and systemic barriers based on sex, gender identity, sexual
orientation, racism, ableism, ageism, negative views toward First Nations or
Aboriginal status, and other forms of discrimination. That this systemic inequity
still exists means there’s lots of work to do to improve the ways we treat other
people. This is why the call to ‘Rise Up’ is needed.
The OPS Pride Network has been very active in building awareness and
celebrating events around WorldPride. Day of Pink got OPSers across Ontario to
support the fight against bullying, discrimination, homophobia and
transphobia. We joined with the City of Toronto and the 519 Community
Centre to hold a public servants’ reception to commemorate the International
Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia and created a Fact Sheet on IDAHOT
to raise awareness of LGBTQ rights around the world. We’ve held several Lunch
and Learns leading up to our wildly successful, first full-day OPN Symposium on
Redefining Family: an Introduction to the LGBTQ experience and we’ve sold out
on our 7th
Annual OPN Gala on June 18th.
SAN is committed to collaborating with other OPS Employee Networks to
foster inclusion. Do you have any idea(s) on how our Networks could work
together to achieve this same goal?
One of the most popularly workshops at our OPN Symposium was on the topic
of “the Intersection of race and sexual orientation”. It could be very exciting
and enriching if we could find more ways to create similar opportunities for
open, honest, and frank discussions as a step towards greater mutual
understanding.
What are the significant changes you have observed in OPS over the year with
respect to diversity?
There has definitely been a shift towards greater recognition and visible
support of diversity and inclusion within executive and senior management
levels. However, even with amazing supportive champions, there is still so
much to be done to change the attitude of everyone in the organization.
Are there OPS Pride initiatives that could benefit members of the other
networks?
There are so many OPN initiatives still to come for WorldPride!
- June 23: Free film screening of “Bridegroom” in partnership with Inside
Out Film Festival
- June 26: OPS Pride Pub Social in partnership with the OPS Diversity
Council. All OPS Employee Network members are invited to join!

5. - June 27, 28 and 29: Trans March, Dyke March and Pride Parade are all
exciting opportunities to experience WorldPride
- June 28: Join the OPS team for the Pride and Remembrance Run in
partnership with Goodlife Fitness
Lend a Hand - Make a Difference
SAN Volunteer Drive
The South Asian Network (SAN) frequently collaborates and
partners with other employee networks in a collective effort
to raise awareness and offer informational session to
promote education, awareness and inclusion. As such, there
is a continuous need for volunteers to coordinate or
participate in various OPS events while representing SAN, for
example, the Colours in Asian Culture event to recognize and celebrate Asian
Heritage Month in May 2014.
If you love to network and are able to contribute your skills, talent and time at
upcoming events, please join our pool of volunteers! E-mail the
SouthAsianNetwork@ontario.ca to indicate your interest.
Vacant Position:
Outreach Committee Lead
Objective
The objective of the Outreach Committee (the
Committee) is to pursue and develop opportunities for
the South Asian Network (SAN) and its members to
participate and/or collaborate in initiatives, programs or
events to establish strategic linkages, promote the
Network and raise the profile of the Network in support
of an inclusive Ontario Public Service (OPS).
Activities
The Committee shall:
 Seek on an ongoing basis the interest of the Network through outreach
activities and opportunities for SAN members to participate in initiatives
and programs to encourage membership and active participation.
 Work to establish strategic linkages and mutually beneficial ongoing
relationships with other employee networks, diversity councils, and other
OPS partners. This may include participation and presentations at
workshops, conferences, and meetings to promote SAN’s inclusion strategy

6. - mission, vision, mandate and initiatives.
 Research sources of funding, including in-kind funding to support its
objectives, in compliance will all accountability, transparency and codes of
ethical conduct within the bounds of the Network’s operation in the OPS.
 If funding is obtained, it will be managed and monitored by the Secretary of
the Network’s Executive Board.
 Report to the Executive Board on a regular basis (e.g., once per month).
 Seek opportunities for collaboration with other ministry partners, and
organize resources as required for these collaborative initiatives.
Reporting and Accountability
The Committee will be required to:
 Report regularly to the Board member who is the Committee lead, and
communication to the Board will be through the Board representative.
 Meet as appropriate with the Board to report on their work and give
recommendations and request feedback.
 Follow all board and OPS policy.
 Request and obtain Board approval for changes to the terms of reference.
 Propose a budget to the Board for its activities.
 Set and review annual goals and submit to the Board.
Membership
 The Committee shall be comprised of 4-6 members, including at least one
Board member.
 The members will be selected by SAN’s executive board through an
application or nomination process.
Meetings
 Committee members shall meet, by teleconference or in person, monthly
in advance of Board meetings and additionally as required or determined
by members.
 Frequency, format and meetings to plan and execute outreach activities for
the Network can be determined by the Committee members.
Roles, Responsibilities and Expectations
 Leadership roles related to specific functions may be delegated to
individual committee members
 All members are accountable for being involved in all areas of the
Committee’s work.
 The Chair of the Committee will be determined by members.
 The Chair will facilitate discussions, record decisions made, and provide
ongoing feedback to the Board representative, or the Board as required.
Disclaimer
This Terms of Reference document is a living document, and may be subject to
revisions as required.

7. Application Submission:
To apply for this position, please submit an expression of interest to
SouthAsianNetwork@ontario.ca by Friday, May 23, 2014. Include “Application
for Board Position” on subject line of e-mail
LinkedIn
Are you looking to connect with your fellow SAN members
and discover more about their professional interests? Well,
we would like to help make that connection and have
created an exclusive LinkedIn group for our SAN members.
What are you waiting for? You’re just a click away to join SAN LinkedIn
Group and network with your fellow SAN members in the OPS. Join to
discuss, contribute and discover more about SAN!
We’d love to hear your feedback. If you’re already a member of the SAN
LinkedIn group, share with us your ideas on the topics and other
activities to increase the engagement in the group.