JBD-Session #3 - Vernetta Walker

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Copyright © 2021 Sage Consulting Network & 6/23/21 Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Nonprofit Boards: How to Lead with Authenticity Session Three: Taking Action Sage Consulting Network Vernetta Walker & Associates 1 FACULTY Robin Stacia, CEO Vernetta Walker, CEO Sage Consulting Network Vernetta Walker & Associates www.sageconsultingnetwork.com www.vernettawalker.com 2 2 1 Copyright © 2021 Sage Consulting Network & 6/23/21 Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc. § Diversity AGENDA: Taking Action § Equity § Inclusion 3 3 Diversity and Inclusion in the Boardroom 4 2 Copyright © 2021 Sage Consulting Network & 6/23/21 Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc. Where do you need/want to improve? (select all that apply) a) Board diversity b) Staff diversity Poll c) Relationship development (individuals and organizations) within the communities you serve d) Engaging stakeholders in strategies and solution development e) Advocating for equity and racial justice f) Consistently applying an equity lens to policies, programs and practices 5 Nonprofits are not exempt when it comes to “exclusion” § Only 38% of executives feel their boards represent the communities they serve § 66% of executives are dissatisfied with their boards’ racial and ethnic diversity § Almost half of chief executives said that they did not have the right board members to “establish trust with the communities they serve.” Leading With Intent, BoardSource Index of Nonprofit Practices (2021) 6 3 Copyright © 2021 Sage Consulting Network & 6/23/21 Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc. Diversity is a talent/pipeline People of color and whites have few differences in problem the areas of financial skills, goal setting, articulating a vision, advocacy, and to collaborate. Diversity means Organizations mistake homogeneity for quality, sacrificing instead of tapping into diversity of perspectives and quality lived experience Myths 7 Usual Board Recruitment Process FOB: Friends of the Board DDIP: Desired Disconnected Individual person 8 4 Copyright © 2021 Sage Consulting Network & 6/23/21 Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc. Make a list of the 5-10 people you trust the most. (not including family members) Name 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 9 Consider: Name Race Age Ethnicity Religion/ Sexual Physical Spirituality Orientation Ability 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 10 5 Copyright © 2021 Sage Consulting Network & 6/23/21 Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc. Most Diverse C.O.M.F. Y Trust Next 10 Least Diverse Like Me Bias Hey 11 LEADERSHIP MATTERS Lead Inclusively L Elevate Equity E A Activate Diversity & Access D Develop Competencies 12 6 Copyright © 2021 Sage Consulting Network & 6/23/21 Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc. Prevent blind Better Reflect the Improve spots in board decision- community reputation deliberations making Access Connections Understand Open new community with potential issues, doors resources donors solutions Advantages of Diversity and Inclusion 13 I D E N T I F Y, C U LT I VAT E , R E C R U I T Is the current process based on a strategic intentional process or board customs? Share genuinely about why a selected candidate is being recruited. Describe expectations and responsibilities of board members. Ask the candidate how they would like to engage and what they want to offer. Be honest about DEI – sharing the board’s values and commitment to diversity and why he/she is an ideal candidate. 14 7 Copyright © 2021 Sage Consulting Network & 6/23/21 Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc. OPPORTUNITIES § Outreach q Corporate Affinity/Employee Resource Groups q Minority Chambers of Commerce q Minority Professional Societies, Networks and Associations q Local Nonprofits § Committees, Taskforces § LinkedIn § Sororities/Fraternities 15 § “Nothing About Us Without Us” – Policies must be developed with input from the impacted communities - authentically engage and build from the ideas of the community § When designing policies, factor in historic inequities and unique challenges faced by communities of color. EQUITY Otherwise, policies might inadvertently worsen inequality. § Ensure access and opportunities for diverse board members, employees, leadership advancement, vendors, and contractors. § Create partnerships with organizations led by people of color. § Publicly share your equity action plan. § Hold yourself accountable. 16 8 Copyright © 2021 Sage Consulting Network & 6/23/21 Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc. INCLUSION The Six Signature Traits of Inclusive Leadership: Thriving in a Diverse New World Deloitte University Press 17 Moving to Action Put theory of change Drive organization- Accountability and into action to achieve a wide change and measurable actions collective vision culture shift 18 9 Copyright © 2021 Sage Consulting Network & 6/23/21 Vernetta Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc. Breakout Rooms Just Getting Started Going Deeper 1. What will you prioritize? 1. What have you prioritized? 2. What groups/communities will you 2. What groups/communities have you include to inform DEI strategies? included to inform DEI strategies? 3. How will you measure progress? 3. How are you measuring progress? 4. What do you want to be different 4. What do you want to be different one year from now? one year from now? 19 10