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D&I History - Associations North

What began as a strategic initiative and commitment to diversity and inclusion in late 2014 is now a vital component of Associations North. We invite you to join the organization as we continue our diversity, equity and inclusion journey. Our goal is to be a resource, share our work and help navigate these challenges. Here are a few highlights you may discover within our documented journey:

  • Associations North Diversity and Inclusion statement
  • History with resources, surveys, work plans and more
  • Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) toolkit

Foundational Stage
Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) approved as a MSAE Board Strategic Initiative

D&I Task Force formed

Melvin Tennant, CAE, Meet Minneapolis and Dara Rudick, CAE, Management HQ to Co-Chair

Day long session on diversity with Alexis Terry, ASAE | Download ASAE PPT | Download Personal Diversity Paradigm Exercise

Board approved changing D&I Task Force to a committee; goals:

• Identify the business case/perspective for diversity and inclusiveness in organizations

• Strive to be a model for other organizations to exemplify

• Strive to have membership be reflective of community at large

• Identify any existing barriers to participation

Completed ASAE Association Inclusion Index Survey | Download Index Survey Results

D&I Statement – Board requests more information and detail about what approving; wants summary of purpose, goals, measurements, role committee will play and what time/resources are needed
| Download Board PPT

Formative Stage

D&I Statement and Work Plan approved by MSAE Board of Directors; also added “Inclusion” as a Core Value | Download D&I Statement and Work Plan

Board approved $5,000 from reserves for board/staff training

D&I Scholarship opportunity - new

Ongoing – diverse speaker and communications articles/resources
Offered D&I Sponsorship for first time; new sponsor: Meet Minneapolis, continuing to look for funding sources for future work
Creative Catalysts selected to conduct membership D&I survey and provide training retreat for board of directors, committee and staff | RFP | Board PPT | Survey Summary

Leadership Conference includes D&I session with Beth Zemsky and board member Mark Salter provides speech of his D&I journey at lunch

Focus article - October, 2016

Terry Watson keynotes Leadership Conference and receives outstanding feedback (5.7/6.0)

$100 to the winner of the race video (sharing)

Created Diversity & Inclusion history timeline (this page) to share our journey and provide D&I resources

D&I toolkit for members

Burt Blanchard co-presents Association 101 with Jennifer Schlueter.

Future Stage

Co-Chairs - Andrea Jauli, Industrial Fabrics Association International and Paul Hanscom, CAE, Ewald Consulting take over for long-time Co-Chairs Melvin Tennant, CAE and Dara Rudick, CAE

Goals:

  • Sponsorship development
  • Workforce development
  • Build D&I resources for members

Sponsorship outreach to association members to expand Diversity & Inclusion effort, over 15 members contribute $500+ and SMG/U.S. Bank Stadium signs on as 3-Year Advancer Sponsor

Hosted Creating a Welcoming Environment World Cafe program with Michelle Mason, CAE

Continuing to bring in more diverse speakers, such as Jesse Ross at Leadership Conference

Developed Associations North Diversity & Inclusion (ANDI) Leadership Pilot Program to launch in January, 2019, Amy Tolbert selected to facilitate program

Launched ANDI Leadership Pilot Program, a complimentary leadership and mentorship program for diverse members of the association community

Continued efforts on:

  • Sponsorship development
  • Workforce development
  • Build D&I resources for members

Associations North Diversity & Inclusion (ANDI) Leadership Pilot Program graduates first class, see video

Hosted D&I keynote at Leadership Conference with Team Dynamics: Role, Goal, Soul

Launched 2020 ANDI Leadership program with five participants, facilitated by Amy Tolbert, Janice Downing and LouEllen Essex with ECCO International

Created a Diversity + Inclusion Meetup Group to connect diverse members of the association community

ANDI Leadership program moves to virtual due to pandemic

Associations North issues Stand With Us statement after murder of George Floyd

Associations North creates space to talk about anti-racism at all levels of organization

Continue to provide resources like Keeping Equity a Priority During the COVID-19 Crisis article

2020 ANDI Leadership program graduation held virtually, watch here

Diversity + Inclusion Committee is in the process of developing a new EDI program to serve broader membership, working to update the current D+I toolkit and continuing to provide relevant D+I resources

Join the conversation! To participate in our D&I efforts, email Sarah.