WHAT DOES AN EFFECTIVE DIVERSITY COUNCIL LOOK LIKE?

1. WHAT DOES AN EFFECTIVE DIVERSITY COUNCIL LOOK LIKE? LTCOL Shirley S. Raguindin Dr. Loring Crepeau

2. Introduction • Throughout this session, the we will outline the steps to establish, manage, and evaluate a National Guard Joint Diversity Executive Council • This is a critical task that requires your leadership in establishment, commitment, and execution to ensure your council is effective In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

3. Introduction (cont) • Diversity is not just a program or policy – it is a state of being • Diversity sparks innovation and incorporates fresh approaches • Diversity provides a well-rounded perspective in problem solving that lets us identify ways of performing duties entrusted to us by our government and fellow citizens In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

4. Difference Between AA, EO, EEO, Diversity In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

5. Benefits of Diversity & Inclusion Diversity and inclusion has become a more strategic component in achieving our global mission. The bottom line benefits of effectively incorporating diversity and inclusion are: • Attraction and retention of top talent through employer-of-choice reputation around the world • Improved morale among employees • Cost savings due to better leveraging of strengths and skills within the organization • Stronger relationships with global partners • Increased productivity of diverse and globally dispersed teams (Zanchettin, 2009) In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

6. Policies National Guard http://www.nationalguard.mil/features/vdc/default.aspx U.S. Office of Personnel Management http://www.opm.gov/diversityandinclusion/reports/GovernmentwideDIStrategicPlan.pdf President’s Executive Order 13583 http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/08/18/executive-order-establishing-coordinated-government-wide-initiative-prom Military Leadership Diversity Commission http://mldc.whs.mil/ In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

7. Purpose, Vision & Mission Purpose • The purpose of the Council shall be to provide advice to Senior Leadership to create an organizational culture where diversity is valued as a personnel readiness, combat multiplier contingent upon high performance In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

8. Purpose, Vision & Mission (cont) Vision • To achieve an organizational culture where diversity is valued as a personnel readiness, combat multiplier that is critical to mission readiness. In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

9. Purpose, Vision & Mission (cont) Mission • Create and sustain an organization dedicated to mission effectiveness, valuing diversity and ensuring each individual has the opportunity and means to reach maximum potential. In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

11. The Current situation Assessment Results • 43 total states, territories and D.C. reported (80%) have a Charter, Council or Council and/or Strategic Plan • 34 of 43 total or (80%) have a Signed Charter by TAG • 25 of 43 total or (58%) have a Strategic Plan • 32 of 43 total or (74%) Council met in past 6 months • 45 or (83%) of total 54 TAGs are aware of response • 35 or (65%) of total 54 State Diversity Initiatives Coordinator (SDIC) appointed are SEEMs In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

12. The Role of Diversity Councils Purpose • Align diversity with the National Guard’s and your State’s strategic goals • Encourage leadership development through diversity practices and processes • Provide visionary strategies in the areas of recruitment, retention, engagement, and productivity In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

13. The Role of Diversity Councils (cont) Roles & Responsibilities • Diversity Council Members are representatives from all levels and functions within the organization. Their role is to serve as change agent, mentor, educator, organizer, and champion of diversity programs and services. In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

14. The Role of Diversity Councils (cont) Functions • The function of the JDEC is to bridge the gap between state diversity issues and NGB In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

15. Getting Started Diversity Councils should ensure that their diversity initiatives are in alignment with the unit’s strategic goals and the guidelines set forth in A Leader’s Guide to Diversity In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

16. Getting Started (cont) • Diagnosis • Who should serve on the council? How do you best recruit them? • Recommendation to your TAG • TAG Checklist (Appendix A) • TAG Approval Letter (Appendix B) • Initial meeting In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

17. Tips To Launch and Sustain a Council Council Charter Run Successful Meetings Goal Setting Training and Education • Partner with leaders and the community In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

18. Tips To Launch and Sustain a Council (cont) Communication Plan Grow the pipeline Metrics and Accountability In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

19. Council Charter • Roles and responsibilities • Term limits for council members • Priorities • Gain Approval • Share the charter • Maintain support from senior leadership In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

20. Running an Effective Meeting • Diversity Council meetings should be held regularly (quarterly) • Meeting minutes will be maintained and distributed among senior leaders, commanders and council members • Identify membership Positions • (appointment memorandum: Appendix C) In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

21. Running an Effective Meeting (cont) Diversity Council meetings should include, but not be limited to the following: • 1. Summary of Progress of State Diversity Strategic Plan – Council assessment of 8 goals as “Red, Yellow, or Green” • 2. Information about Upcoming Events, Initiatives, Projects, etc. • This should include diversity-related outreach events, community events, training dates, committee reports, recruitment and retention issues, committee reports, etc. In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

22. Running an Effective Meeting (cont) • 3. Review of Past Meeting efforts • 4. Cultural Awareness efforts • 5. Linkage to Vision and Mission of National Guard • 6. Recommendation for TAG approval In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

23. Goal Setting Establishing Goals: • SMART Model • Align with existing strategies Monitor Goals: • Create action plans with milestones for larger goals • Organize and reassess your goals annually In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

24. Training and Education Training for Council Members: • Council members should maintain a high level of diversity skills and knowledge • Conferences and outside speakers • Involvement in local professional organizations Involvement in State Level Training: • Champion State level diversity and inclusion training efforts • 2nd Annual Virtual Diversity Conference 24 July, 2012 In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

25. Communication Plan Create and Sustain a Communication Plan: • What is your message? • Frequency of your message • Importance of “One Voice” In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

26. Communication Plan (cont) Candidate Communication Vehicles: • Webpage • Slide presentation • Social Media • Newsletters • Brochures In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

27. Questions to Consider What communication vehicles currently exist? How effective are they? How might they be used to support your Council? In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

28. Questions to Consider (cont) What communication gaps currently exist in your state? What steps would be necessary to close these gaps? In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

29. Questions to Consider (cont) What positively differentiates your state from others with regard to diversity & inclusion? How can these differentiators be included in your communications? In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

30. Grow your council Pipeline • Create a plan to develop strategies to recruit new members • Leverage your communication plan • Host new member recruitment events • Word of mouth In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

31. Metrics and accountability Proposed Benchmark Rating Scale: FY13 NOTE: All ratings require a Charter, Council, and Strategic Plan approved by TAG -Council meets regularly and reports progress -Meetings from last 3 meetings w/in year demonstrate community outreach and involvement -Measurements must include retention, recruiting, and promotion data. In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

32. Metrics and accountability = Report measures align with NGB objectives and policy, includes leadership involvement, 2-3 Leadership Diversity goals achieved Proposed Benchmark Rating Scale: FY13 = Report indicate “in process of completion” = No report submitted or no progress made In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

33. Annual Reports & Metrics 8 Goals (Appendix E) • Leadership Commitment • Education & Training • Career Management • Policy Development • Diversity Awareness • Community Outreach & Involvement • Recruitment & Retention • Other: Specific to your state or region In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

34. Annual Reports & Metrics Recommend reporting semi-annually to the Region Representative Mandatory Report to NG JDEC • Annually by 1 Oct (Appendix E, F & G) • Send completed forms & report to: • ondra.berry@us.army.mil • shirley.raguindin@us.army.mil In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

35. Internal Assessment Benchmark your progress against other states and territories End of year survey or discussion: • Discuss successes and areas for improvement • What changes can be made to improve your council? In Pursuit of Greatness Through Diversity

36. TOOLS

37. Thank you