City of Hollywood Wins First Place in the National League of Cities Cultural Diversity Awards Program
 

HOLLYWOOD, FL – The National League of Cities (NLC) has recognized the City of Hollywood with a first place award in its 2011 City Cultural Diversity Awards Program for cities with a population of 100,001 to 400,000. The award recognizes the work of the City of Hollywood’s Strategic Planning Diversity Network in fostering a workforce that recognizes and values diversity. City Manager Cameron D. Benson accepted the award at the League’s Celebrate Diversity Breakfast held in Washington, D.C. on Monday, March 14, 2011.

“Hollywood’s diversity is one of the City’s biggest strengths. By incorporating it into our strategic planning initiatives, we have seen measurable progress in the diversity of our workforce and the awareness of the value of diversity,” says City Manager Cameron Benson. “We try to celebrate the City’s diversity in everything we do from business development to hiring to parks and recreation programming.”

City of Hollywood administration implemented a Strategic Plan eight years ago to promote employee participation in developing innovative ways to enhance the work environment and the delivery of City services and programs. The Strategic Plan encompasses ten focus areas—Diversity is one of those areas.

A group of employees representing a cross-section of City offices and departments serves on the Diversity Network. This network is a catalyst for developing innovative approaches to capitalize on the unique qualities our diverse staff offer. By including diversity as a standardized strategic imperative, all work locations in the City annually develop objectives aimed at creating an awareness, understanding and appreciation of differences.

Sponsored by the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) of the National League of Cities, the City Cultural Diversity Awards Program was developed to encourage citizen involvement in local government-sponsored activities; and enhance and show the appreciation of cultural diversity as a way of life in our municipalities. The awards are given to honor community leadership in developing creative and effective programs to improve cultural diversity.

2010 Top Achievement winners
 

Each year, the City Manager's Steering Committee reviews the strategic plan accomplishments to select the "Top Achievers". This recognition honors teams who demonstrate relentless commitment and dedication to achieve goals above and beyond what was expected. The results are evaluated on their overall impact and all Top Achievers support the achievement of our City's vision - To be a welcoming, vibrant, sustainable destination City. Each of the ten areas has a dedicated Network of employees who work on key challenges. They set big, audacious goals, and develop plans and monitoring systems to ensure success.   The ten Networks are: Communication,  Cost Containment,  Customer Service,  Diversity,  Economic Development,  Employee Development,  Employee Recognition,  Global Hollywood,  Healthy Hollywood and Revenue Enhancement.  The "TEAM" earning the award of "Top Achiever" in each of the ten focus areas is as follows,

Communication awarded to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management.

Cost Containment awarded to the Police Department.

Customer Service awarded to the Department of Information Technology.

Diversity awarded to the Office of Business and International Trade.

Economic Development awarded to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

Employee Recognition awarded to the Department of Public Utilities.

Global Hollywood awarded to the Department of Public Works.

Healthy Hollywood awarded to the Office of the City Manager.

Revenue Enhancement awarded to the Office of Parking and Intergovernmental Affairs.

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City of Hollywood Honored by Florida League of Cities with Municipal Achievement Award
2010 Environmental Stewardship Award Winner
 

In May 2010, the City of Hollywood submitted an award application for Environmental Stewardship to the Florida League of Cities (FLC), titled "Hollywood Goes Green". In July, Hollywood was notified that it was selected as FLC's winner of a Municipal Achievement Award for Environmental Stewardship.

Through the Strategic Plan and Global Hollywood Network, supported by City employees and citizens, Hollywood is leading the way among Florida cities towards an earth friendly and greener tomorrow. Our success is based on employees and residents undertaking both small and big measures to "green" our City. Global Hollywood has requested each department and office develop two new annual environmental initiatives. Past initiatives include increasing hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles in the City fleet; a water conservation program; instituting RecycleBank® - an incentive based rewards program for residential recycling; and Hollywood's Clean Water Cadet Program. These are a few of the more than 200 green initiatives undertaken by City Departments and Offices.

As the winner of the Environmental Stewardship Award, Hollywood received an invitation to participate in the Municipal Achievement Awards Showcase workshop during the Florida League of Cities Annual Statewide Conference in August 2010. On Friday, August 20th, during the "Municipal Achievement Event," the City of Hollywood was recognized and presented with a Florida Municipal Achievement Award. Hollywood's comprehensive environmental program was featured in the special "best practices" publication available at the conference and included in the September/October issue of the Florida League of Cities "Quality Cities" magazine.

The dedication and commitment of City employees to a "greener" Hollywood exemplify our City's Core Values of Partnerships, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence (P.R.I.D.E). The departments and offices that assisted with and coordinated the preparation of our award application merit special recognition and include: the Department of Community Development & Code Compliance, the Office of Budget and Procurement Services, the Office of Human Resources & Risk Management, the Office of Public Affairs & Marketing, Department of Public Works and the Department of Public Utilities.
 

City Manager Honored with Leadership Award by Employees
Award Presented During Annual Strategic Planning Workshop
 

HOLLYWOOD, FL – At a workshop this morning attended by City Commissioners, employees, community activists and student leaders, City Manager Cameron D. Benson was presented a "Leadership Award" on behalf of the hundreds of City employees who participate in the City's strategic planning process. This award recognizes the vision and leadership Benson has provided in challenging employees to develop innovative ways to enhance government operations.

"Since June 2002, he [Mr. Benson] has led our City with non-stop energy, passion and big ideas," said Arline Hampton, Director of the Office of Business and International Trade as she called Benson up to the stage at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center. "Because of his unparalleled leadership, the Strategic Plan Steering Committee wanted to recognize Mr. Benson with its inaugural Leadership Award."

The workshop marked the 7th year employees have gathered to strategize about ways to make government work better for Hollywood residents, visitors and business owners.
Nationally recognized motivational speaker and entrepreneur Greg Rice—a familiar face to South Floridians for his commercials for Hulett Environmental Services—encouraged employees to "Think Big." Rice, who was born with dwarfism, spoke about exceeding expectations and making the ordinary extraordinary.

The workshop also featured the first gathering of members of the City's newly formed Hollywood Youth Council. The council is made up of two student leaders from each of the four following high schools located within the City of Hollywood: South Broward High School, Hollywood Hills High School, McArthur High School and Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory. These students were appointed to the council by the City Manager and will meet regularly to provide insight regarding the concerns of young people in the community. They will have the opportunity to develop recommendations for public projects and programs to address youth needs.

"Young people have such a unique perspective and they are often overlooked in the governing process," say Hollywood Youth Council Staff Advisor Leander Hamilton. "This is an amazing chance to engage them and be inspired by their energy and creativity."

The City's first Strategic Plan was adopted in 2003. Each year, City Departments and Offices develop and track their progress meeting objectives in ten key focus areas ranging from cost containment to customer service and revenue enhancement.

For additional information, please contact Raelin Storey, Public Affairs Director, at 954.921.3201.