Last Tuesday’s Association Chat was on the thorny topic of diversity, following on from issues raised after #ASAE10 and our Sweetspot webcast from last week with DELP scholar Stefanie Reeves. An awesome thought leader on diversity and inclusion, Joe Gerstandt, joined the chat (as did Jamie Notter, who has a diversity background) and we had a really thought-provoking discussion.
The moderator questions were:
(Q1) What explains diversity and inclusion initiatives in organizations?
(Q2) How can we define diversity and inclusion?
(Q3) How might we launch sustainable diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the association community?
(Q4) How can associations recognize if they are doing a satisfactory job of supporting diversity and diversity initiatives?
(Q5) Thinking on messages from orgs & supporting diversity…how should we comm. to mems, how is messaging affected?
(Q6) How does an org get started when they want to support diversity? Tips! ?
(Q7) What can we do today to help support diversity in associations? What is one thing we can all do differently?
After the chat, Joe Gerstandt posted about it on his blog – and talked about how confusing the conversation was.
I just finished an online conversation about diversity and inclusion that was all over the place. Conversations about diversity and inclusion generally are all over the place, because it is a really big, dynamic, and complex set of issues that we are talking about. The conversation ended, as it commonly does, by focusing on “what to do” …and that part tends to be really all over the place. Some people want to focus on metrics, some people want to focus on strategy, some people want formal statements, some people want to focus on the board…etc., etc., etc.
Those things are all, potentially, part of the solution, but they are just a few of the tools that can be used to deliver results.
That’s just the beginning of his post – the rest is the important part.
Before you read it, though, I thought I would post pretty much in its entirety the Association Chat conversation so you can see what we were all trying to figure out. We actually noted during the conversation how hard it was to talk about diversity issues! This is pretty long and not necessarily very easy to read, but just skim through to get the gist of all the issues that came up.
Please share your thoughts on the topic either here or over at Joe’s post. Oh and just FYI, he’s be speaking at Great Ideas in March… we can pick his brains then!
| 6:06 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} Hi all! Let’s get started. We’re talking about diversity today… #assnchat |
| 6:07 pm | BillWalker7: | On #assnchat … excited about today’s topic: diversity in associations #assnchat |
| 6:07 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} (Q1) What explains diversity and inclusion initiatives in organizations? #assnchat |
| 6:07 pm | LindaChreno: | I am here – lurking #assnchat |
| 6:08 pm | toniraebrotons: | Hope EPetersonSHRM will participate today! #assnchat |
| 6:08 pm | ElizabethB: | RT @RvanHilst: Here but lurking. #assnchat – same here… |
| 6:09 pm | kgilnack: | RT @kikilitalien: {Moderator} Hi all! Let’s get started. We’re talking about diversity today… #assnchat |
| 6:09 pm | sepler: | #assnchat |
| 6:10 pm | joegerstandt: | hola #assnchat thanks for the invite! |
| 6:10 pm | sepler: | The need 2 reflect the larger community & the solid research suggesting diversity promotes innovation, creativity & engagement #assnchat |
| 6:10 pm | ltwhite: | first, what do we mean by diversity? Most focus on race/national origin or gender. I think it goes way beyond that #assnchat |
| 6:11 pm | kikilitalien: | @joegerstandt Thank you for joining! It is an honor and a pleasure! #assnchat |
| 6:12 pm | kikilitalien: | @ltwhite this is a good question…let’s define what we need to talk about today! #assnchat |
| 6:12 pm | DarthGarry: | What about Age Diversity too? #Assnchat |
| 6:12 pm | sjreeves: | For my organization, it’s a reflection of the world around us and the populations our members serve. #assnchat |
| 6:13 pm | maddiegrant: | oooh @joegerstandt is on #assnchat right now talking diversity. Must Join! #assnchat |
| 6:13 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} (Q2) How can we define diversity and inclusion? #assnchat |
| 6:13 pm | joegerstandt: | I think that before you can define initiatives/efforts you need to clarify basic language…diversity needs to be clearly defined. #assnchat |
| 6:13 pm | sepler: | @twhite agreed. Big D=protected class. More significant little D=style, learning type,social class, generation, etc. #assnchat |
| 6:13 pm | joegerstandt: | everyone is using the same word, but talking about something different #assnchat |
| 6:13 pm | maggielmcg: | RT @kikilitalien: (Q1) Unfortunately I think there’s a lot of lip service about diversity but not much action in the assn world #assnchat |
| 6:13 pm | ElizabethB: | RT @sepler: Need 2 reflect larger community & the solid research suggesting diversity promotes innovation, creativity & engagement #assnchat |
| 6:14 pm | joegerstandt: | initiatives end up being logically flawed because there is no foundation in place #assnchat |
| 6:14 pm | kikilitalien: | RT @sepler: @twhite agreed. Big D=protected class. More significant little D=style, learning type,social class, generation, etc. #assnchat |
| 6:14 pm | NathanVictoria: | Q2. We had this conversation in the Diversity Committee @ #asae10. Assns tend to focus on historically disenfranchised pops. #assnchat |
| 6:14 pm | mgusek555: | RT @joegerstandt: everyone is using the same word, but talking about something different #assnchat |
| 6:14 pm | BillWalker7: | The point of diversity is to have a broad range of ideas & inputs. “Looking” diverse is a starting point, but certainly not an end #assnchat |
| 6:14 pm | johnricco: | Q1. Our landscape. I read somewhere that 6 of the 8 major metropolitan areas of the U.S. are “minority majority” #assnchat |
| 6:14 pm | NathanVictoria: | It isn’t bad to focus on specific populations. Just be clear who you are serving. #assnchat |
| 6:15 pm | kikilitalien: | @NathanVictoria What did the Diversity Committee come up with for diversity’s definition? #assnchat |
| 6:15 pm | joegerstandt: | I define diversity as meaning difference, inclusion as being the capacity to include difference… #assnchat |
| 6:15 pm | joegerstandt: | but organizations/associations need definitions that make sense to them and are clear…so that employees stakeholders understand #assnchat |
| 6:15 pm | maddiegrant: | I think the word “diversity” turns people off too, like that is someone else’s problem. Relegated to committees. #assnchat |
| 6:15 pm | sepler: | Q2 Efforts 2 ensure that participants R able 2 B themselves & each persons identity & attributes appreciated, respected, leveraged #assnchat |
| 6:17 pm | NathanVictoria: | @kikilitalien Still working on it. =). Though, established it is unique for each person and that it can change on context. #assnchat |
| 6:18 pm | joegerstandt: | I dont care if it turns people off, it is a big, beautiful, powerful word…we need to take it back. #assnchat |
| 6:18 pm | tammytilley: | Is the translation of diversity local? What it means for our group may not be what it means for yours? #assnchat |
| 6:19 pm | kikilitalien: | RT @joegerstandt: I define diversity as meaning difference, inclusion as being the capacity to include difference… #assnchat |
| 6:19 pm | sepler: | @maddiegrant unfortunately correct. Has been relegated to project status 2 often. Must be strategic and integrated #assnchat |
| 6:19 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} Let’s use @joegerstandt‘s def:diversity as meaning difference, inclusion as being the capacity to incl. difference… #assnchat |
| 6:19 pm | jamienotter: | RT @joegerstandt: I dont care if it turns people off, it is a big, beautiful, powerful word…we need to take it back. <word> #assnchat |
| 6:20 pm | joegerstandt: | a big part of the problem is that we focus on having the right intentions…we focus on not doing “bad things”… #assnchat |
| 6:20 pm | BillWalker7: | I think it’s less valuable to get caught up in the word. More powerful to decipher how it applies to ur assn & what THAT means. #assnchat |
| 6:20 pm | joegerstandt: | having the right intentions is not enough, inclusion is activist…all social groups are conformist and exclusionary by nature…#assnchat |
| 6:20 pm | johnricco: | 2009 Calif. study. The diversity of nonprofit staff mirrors the racial-ethnic diversity of Califs. pop.http://bit.ly/dayCrQ #assnchat |
| 6:21 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} (Q3) How might we launch sustainable diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the association community? #assnchat |
| 6:21 pm | joegerstandt: | we have to be actively pushing back on those tendencies and looking for evidence of success- relentlessly #assnchat intentions are overrated |
| 6:22 pm | sepler: | @tammytilley associations=network of ppl with common agenda/purpose. Diversity is the differences, not similarities amongst them #assnchat |
| 6:23 pm | NathanVictoria: | Q3 We have “minority” fellows for undergrads which diversifies the pool early on. Similar to ASAE’s DELP http://bit.ly/9OCSA6 #assnchat |
| 6:23 pm | kikilitalien: | @joegerstandt What might “evidence of success” look like? #assnchat |
| 6:23 pm | NathanVictoria: | @sepler @tammytilley But if the assn isn’t diverse, may turn away newbies. If don’t see yourself reflected, you leave. #assnchat |
| 6:24 pm | sepler: | @joegerstandt agree completely, action must be integrated across all parts of the strategy –not relegated or ghettoized. #assnchat |
| 6:24 pm | rootwork: | I think “diversity” as a goal for simply “different voices” misses the real point – cf. Tim Wisehttp://bit.ly/aOSvLY #assnchat |
| 6:25 pm | sepler: | @NathanVictoria good point, need to highlight the diversity that IS there and how its valued. Cant be Noahs Ark #assnchat |
| 6:25 pm | rootwork: | It’s not just about “including” different people, but compensating for those historically un-included and disempowered #assnchat |
| 6:25 pm | joegerstandt: | @kikilitalien depends on what you are doing and why #assnchat for example, cognitive diversity is very powerful, yet poorly understood… |
| 6:26 pm | tammytilley: | @sepler Right. *Translation* of what that means looks different for everyone tho. #assnchat |
| 6:27 pm | joegerstandt: | the evidence depends on what kind of difference you are talking about, and what you are doing to benefit from it #assnchat |
| 6:27 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} How can associations recognize if they are doing a satisfactory job of supporting diversity and diversity initiatives? #assnchat |
| 6:28 pm | BillWalker7: | Q3 – “sustainable diversity” is part of an org’s culture. that usually starts with the board. they could form mentor relations… #assnchat |
| 6:28 pm | sepler: | @rootwork think ur confusing aff acc, w/is compensatory w/ diversity w/is strategic. Don’t disagree with purpose of AA. #assnchat |
| 6:28 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} Sorry, that would be (Q4)…satisfactory job of supporting diversity and diversity initiatives? #assnchat |
| 6:29 pm | rootwork: | @sepler But if the goal of diversity in assns is to better represent constituency, then that is (usually) a compensatory process #assnchat |
| 6:29 pm | unhatched: | @kikilitalien if your mem base is 80% VP of Mktg peeps and you aren’t a marketing assn, it’s time to diversify #assnchat |
| 6:30 pm | rootwork: | Q4 – If yr trying to better represent different communities, then yr level of accountability to them is a good measure of success #assnchat |
| 6:31 pm | NathanVictoria: | Q4 Need to have goals set up because diversity is strategic initiative. Higher #s? More inclusive meetings? Different audiences? #assnchat |
| 6:31 pm | kikilitalien: | @unhatched Yes, good point!  Missed you online lately! #assnchat |
| 6:31 pm | sepler: | Q4 If inclusion initiatives are strategic must have metrics to measure. Will vary by desired strategic outcomes #assnchat |
| 6:31 pm | BillWalker7: | Q3 – another way to encourage sustainable diversity is to create listening venues. #assnchat |
| 6:32 pm | kikilitalien: | @BillWalker7 Ooh, please elaborate… #assnchat |
| 6:32 pm | BillWalker7: | diversity often starts w/being heard, then being included, then being the leader. it’s a process. not instant. #assnchat |
| 6:32 pm | sepler: | @NathanVictoria brilliant minds….#assnchat |
| 6:33 pm | christytj: | The same message won’t necessarily work for different audiences, whether print, email or web. What works for the audience you want #assnchat |
| 6:33 pm | kikilitalien: | That’s what I was thinking! I almost RT both posts and short-circuited! RT @sepler: @NathanVictoriabrilliant minds….#assnchat #assnchat |
| 6:34 pm | janellepeters: | RT @christytj: The same message won’t necessarily work for different audiences, whether print, email or web. What works for the audience you want #assnchat |
| 6:34 pm | sepler: | @BillWalker7 the listening had better happen before you formulate a strategy!!! #assnchat |
| 6:35 pm | DarthGarry: | #AssnChat – How do associations know that they need to support diversity? If no one calls them out on it… |
| 6:35 pm | BillWalker7: | listening is part of the strategy! #assnchat |
| 6:35 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} (Q5) Thinking on messages from orgs & supporting diversity…how should we comm. to mems, how is messaging affected? #assnchat |
| 6:36 pm | kikilitalien: | RT @DarthGarry: #AssnChat – How do associations know that they need to support diversity? If no one calls them out on it… #assnchat |
| 6:37 pm | NathanVictoria: | @DarthGarry That’s the problem. Preaching to the choir…if you will. #assnchat |
| 6:38 pm | kikilitalien: | @DarthGarry That’s an excellent question. If associations have no clue…how will they ever know there’s a problem? #assnchat |
| 6:39 pm | maggielmcg: | Whoops–sorry #assnchat peeps–got pulled away on something… |
| 6:39 pm | sepler: | @BillWalker7 perhaps parsing semantics. Assessment–>deep understanding—> strategy. Think we agree. #assnchat |
| 6:40 pm | christytj: | ASAE had some great articles about the need for diversity in associations, and I remember another one in the Washington Post. #assnchat |
| 6:40 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} Association Forum of Chicagoland has this page on Diversity: http://bit.ly/cdGBA8#assnchat |
| 6:41 pm | kikilitalien: | @NathanVictoria What are the top 3 issues the Diversity Committee at ASAE is facing? Maybe our chat can help… #assnchat |
| 6:42 pm | sepler: | @kikilitalien monitoring who u retain & engage & whether ths matches customer/constituency=good biz. Get feedback from users #assnchat |
| 6:42 pm | sjreeves: | Messaging should explain how diversity and inclusion benefits assn members, leaders and staff. #assnchat |
| 6:42 pm | maddiegrant: | How about requiring that all boards and committees commit to diversity in terms of appointments? #assnchat |
| 6:42 pm | jamienotter: | How do they know? Back to Joe’s comment: All groups by nature are exclusionary. Of COURSE we have diversity to work on. #assnchat |
| 6:43 pm | ltwhite: | @kikilitalien Many have diversity statements with limited diversity. Road to hell … good intentions #assnchat |
| 6:43 pm | kikilitalien: | @jamienotter Yeah, but that’s common sense. I’m talking about associations…;-) #assnchat |
| 6:44 pm | rootwork: | Definitely a start. RT @maddiegrant How about requiring that all boards & committees commit to diversity in terms of appointments? #assnchat |
| 6:44 pm | DarthGarry: | @MaddieGrant -What about where there are no diverse choices for the board or committee. Could go on and on about things I’ve seen. #Assnchat |
| 6:45 pm | NathanVictoria: | New to the committee, so still getting a sense of what the committee is working towards. Will report back! #assnchat |
| 6:45 pm | tammytilley: | Do you need to have a diversity committee to be serious about diversity? #assnchat |
| 6:46 pm | kikilitalien: | @NathanVictoria Very good! I hope you do! #assnchat |
| 6:46 pm | BillWalker7: | @tammytilley Or a diversity policy/statement?! #assnchat |
| 6:46 pm | kikilitalien: | Hi @tammytilley – nice to see you again! Great question. I say no, but curious to what others think. #assnchat |
| 6:47 pm | sepler: | with suggestion of “mandatory diversity”we are back to the issue of defining diversity esp for representation. #assnchat |
| 6:47 pm | jamienotter: | Diversity, like leadership, is a system capacity. Before you look for diverse faces, work hard on what it means to be inclusive #assnchat |
| 6:47 pm | rankinfund: | Diversity is important to us, but we struggle to make it a reality. Any suggestions? #assnchat |
| 6:48 pm | kikilitalien: | RT @sepler: with suggestion of “mandatory diversity”we are back to the issue of defining diversity esp for representation. #assnchat |
| 6:48 pm | sepler: | @tammytilley danger is when committee does not include movers shakers. Esp if it looks like those who are least included #assnchat |
| 6:48 pm | maddiegrant: | @DarthGarry in a workshop I attended with @joegerstandt that came up – if your pool of members is just not diverse what do you do? #assnchat |
| 6:49 pm | sjreeves: | @NathanVictoria Not to put you in a tough spot w/the committee, but could you recommend opening the #ASAE11 reception 2 everyone? #assnchat |
| 6:49 pm | NathanVictoria: | @tammytilley No, but is something in stating it on your website somehow. Diversity statement? Commitment to inclusion? #assnchat |
| 6:49 pm | maddiegrant: | @DarthGarry but I think you might as well consider those extreme cases, plenty of groups that are diverse but top tier is not. #assnchat |
| 6:50 pm | BillWalker7: | I think @jamienotter is right; that’s why listening is important. Boards who shut out differing voices won’t succeed in diversity #assnchat |
| 6:50 pm | NathanVictoria: | @sjreeves Not a tough spot at all. I will put it to the ears of the chairs, at least, of course! #assnchat |
| 6:51 pm | christytj: | Gotta train your volunteer leaders how to reach out & Mentor new/diverse audiences, just can’t tell them to do so. #assnchat |
| 6:51 pm | tammytilley: | We’ve had debate about having a committee. Have = relegated to a comm (like @maddiegrant said). Have not = u don’t care. #assnchat |
| 6:51 pm | kikilitalien: | @pegaita Yes! Chat is happening on twitter right now – follow the #assnchat hashtag… |
| 6:51 pm | BillWalker7: | Amen @christytj: Gotta train your volunteer leaders how to reach out & Mentor new/diverse audiences, just cant tell them to do so. #assnchat |
| 6:51 pm | DarthGarry: | #AssnChat – Wow, Diversity is difficult to talk about. Sensitive subject hard to explain in 140 chars! |
| 6:51 pm | rootwork: | If you really want your boards to represent your communities, then you ALWAYS have choices that are diverse #assnchat @darthgarry |
| 6:52 pm | rootwork: | Still think it’s about accountability. If yr not accountable to those “diverse” constituencies, a policy statement won’t cut it. #assnchat |
| 6:53 pm | karenaltes: | @maddiegrant: If mbrshp is not diverse, need to ecruit from diverse populations: i.e., HBCUs, minority orgs, local outreach etc. #assnchat |
| 6:54 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} (Q6) Do we have answers for @rainkinfund? How does an org get started when they want to support diversity? Tips! ? #assnchat |
| 6:54 pm | jamienotter: | RT @tammytilley: Weve had debate about having a committee. Have = relegated to a comm. Have not = u dont care. #assnchat |
| 6:54 pm | sepler: | Making board “look” diverse isnt making a brd open 2 diverse voices. “Diverse” can B marginalized.Culture 1st, structure 2nd? #assnchat |
| 6:54 pm | tammytilley: | Dunno about a diversity statement. My personal reaction? Big deal. Seems ‘good intentions’-ish. #assnchat |
| 6:54 pm | jamienotter: | RT @DarthGarry: #AssnChat – Wow, Diversity is difficult to talk about. Sensitive subject hard to explain in 140 chars! #assnchat |
| 6:55 pm | sepler: | RT @DarthGarry: #AssnChat – Wow, Diversity is difficult to talk about. Sensitive subject hard to explain in 140 chars! // agreed! |
| 6:55 pm | jamienotter: | Diversity committee = doing work of inclusion within exclusive power hierarchy. Always a challenge (but still worth it) #assnchat |
| 6:55 pm | christytj: | rt @joegerstandt ten fundamental things regarding #diversity and #inclusion http://bit.ly/bVVfwm#assnchat |
| 6:55 pm | 2mpact: | It’s such a pitty that diversity has to be an issue – associations should embrace all kinds of ‘nuances’ at any level #assnchat |
| 6:56 pm | sjreeves: | @NathanVictoria Thanks. I always felt that activity should be open to all who care about diversity and inclusion, not just DELP. #assnchat |
| 6:56 pm | kikilitalien: | RT @christytj: rt @joegerstandt 10 fundamental things regarding #diversity and #inclusionhttp://bit.ly/bVVfwm #assnchat |
| 6:56 pm | NathanVictoria: | @sepler Yes. Need to find champions in current structure that are about “diversity”. Change agents from within. #assnchat |
| 6:56 pm | NathanVictoria: | @rainkinfund Thought about having an open forum at live event asking for those interested to come talk? #assnchat |
| 6:56 pm | jamienotter: | I like diversity statements, but I like more when I hear leadership genuinely talking about it when they have a choice. #assnchat |
| 6:57 pm | kikilitalien: | @2mpact True! Is that possible? #assnchat |
| 6:57 pm | maddiegrant: | @sepler not sure I agree. If you have diverse people on a board/committee surely their voices will be heard more than not? #assnchat |
| 6:57 pm | BillWalker7: | Basic tenet of communications: ppl choose reinforcing msgs over differing msgs Have 2 teach/reteach ppl how 2 hear “diverse” voice #assnchat |
| 6:57 pm | maddiegrant: | Agreed RT @tammytilley: Dunno about a diversity statement. My personal reaction? Big deal. Seems good intentions-ish. #assnchat |
| 6:58 pm | sepler: | Q6 Listen 2 members, stakeholders,: Ask wht will make u successful. Talk 2 ppl whose membership lapsed & nonparticipating members #assnchat |
| 6:58 pm | BillWalker7: | So, having statements, committees, etc helps to keep the communication lines open, even if it doesn’t in itself “create” diversity #assnchat |
| 6:59 pm | NathanVictoria: | Maybe instead of a diversity statement, a diversity strategic plan? =) #assnchat |
| 6:59 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} (Q7) What can we do today to help support diversity in associations? What is one thing we can all do differently? #assnchat |
| 7:00 pm | maddiegrant: | being more social, as an org, will help identify diversity of voices too. #assnchat |
| 7:00 pm | sepler: | @maddiegrant reinforces message it is “their” issue vs “our” issue. Not saying no diverse, but incl majority leaders essential #assnchat |
| 7:00 pm | karenaltes: | Some industries, lack of diversity in assn is b/c lack of diversity at higher levels in industry. Becomes workforce dvlpmt issue. #assnchat. |
| 7:00 pm | christytj: | Type in “diversity” in ASAE search engine, leads to resources that might be useful to your organization. #assnchat |
| 7:01 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} Wow – great topic and discussion today! Thanks to everyone who participated. That was a fast hour! #assnchat |
| 7:01 pm | karenaltes: | And if that’s the case, assn. should be at forefront of workforce development including diverse pop’ns #assnchat |
| 7:02 pm | sjreeves: | @kikilitalien Make diversity and inclusion less of a chore and more of a natural progression. #assnchat |
| 7:02 pm | jamienotter: | Thank you @kikilitalien for your work moderating the chat! You do our community a great service. And you rock! #assnchat |
| 7:03 pm | ltwhite: | Thanks @kikilitalien for another great chat. I learned a lot. #assnchat |
| 7:05 pm | sepler: | thanks all #assnchat |
| 7:05 pm | kikilitalien: | {Moderator} See you next week for Association Chat! You can also tune in FRI for Social Media SweetSpot http://bit.ly/5DBxrN #assnchat |
| 7:05 pm | kikilitalien: | @jamienotter Thanks!!! I’ll be smiling all day now! #assnchat |
| 7:07 pm | kikilitalien: | @ltwhite Many thanks! #assnchat |
| 7:08 pm | kikilitalien: | @sepler Thank you for sharing your insights! #assnchat |
| 7:09 pm | tammytilley: | Thanks so much @kikilitalien – good #assnchat today! |
| 7:09 pm | SweetSpotWeb: | Beyond Optics: Why Board Diversity Really Matters | Notebook | Marcus Ventures http://t.co/yDYU1Vo#diversity #assnchat |
| 7:10 pm | SweetSpotWeb: | RT @maddiegrant: being more social, as an org, will help identify diversity of voices too. #assnchat |
| 7:18 pm | erob1: | RT @kikilitalien: {Moderator} See you next week for Association Chat! You can also tune in FRI for Social Media SweetSpot http://bit.ly/5DBxrN #assnchat |
| 7:20 pm | katrinaldunn: | Good idea! RT @NathanVictoria: Maybe instead of a diversity statement, a diversity strategic plan? =) #assnchat |
| 7:40 pm | TourismCurrents: | Couldn’t make today’s #assnchat but reading the hashtagged tweets. Topic was diversity: why it matters, how to increase |
| 7:52 pm | KrisViera: | RT @christytj: Gotta train your volunteer leaders how to reach out & Mentor new/diverse audiences, just can’t tell them to do so. #assnchat |
| 7:53 pm | KrisViera: | RT @maddiegrant: @DarthGarry but I think you might as well consider those extreme cases, plenty of groups that are diverse but top tier is not. #assnchat |
| 8:06 pm | peggyhoffman: | @TourismCurrents i’m doing the same; interesting that one of the last ones is “train volunteers how to …” that’s the key #assnchat |
{ 2 comments }
Diversity, inclusion, organizational culture these are all big, complex, noisy issues so a lot of the conversations about them are big and complex and noisy. The beautiful thing is that the conversations are happening…so kudos to you Maddie, to Mr. Notter and others that keep shining some light on this set of issues in the association world.
Maddie, thanks for the recap. Diversity issues can be difficult to discuss; they bring up a lot of emotion, history, expectations, and biases. That’s all normal. What frightens many people is resolving those issues. Some people may think, “I’m glad we talked about diversity, but I don’t know what’s next. What are we doing? What can I do?”
It’s critical to understand there is no “end.” There is no “do this and be done.” Diversity is a process. Leadership is a conversation. Organizational culture is a living thing. The only “end” is when the entity goes away entirely. And even then it lives on in memory, influence, impacts. Starting the conversation is itself a big step.
I had the fortune of being part of an ongoing conversation on this topic while studying for my masters: “Opportunities of Diversity and Globalization examines diversity in all of its forms as well as globalization with its many workplace, leadership, ethical, and communication issues. Communication challenges in the diverse workplace and global marketplace are identified as opportunities for organizational enrichment.”
Even with a group of 30 business leaders from all backgrounds and geographies intensely studying and discussing diversity, our opinions and perspectives differed. There wasn’t consensus. There doesn’t need to be. Sometimes there was even tension. Embracing it is part of the process to get us where we need to be.
Have the conversation. It’s not Pandora’s box; it’s the door to new perspectives, opinions, ideas, opportunities, insights, and self reflection.
Here’s a cool little resource that might get people thinking about their own biases … and how they impact views on diversity, inclusion, etc. – https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/research/.
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