Diversity News And Articles

Diversity & Inclusion News & Articles

Diversity Award - Workplace Diversity Advocate

Diversity as many define it means difference. Diversity enriches our organizations and communities. We all learn from those whose life experiences, beliefs, and perspectives are different from our own.

CRITERIA AND PROCESS

What is the Workplace Diversity Advocate Award and why is it offered?
To recognize those organizations and/or companies who foster an inclusive work environment in which all employees
are inspired to contribute their best through their different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Award an
organization who has been a role model in their local community as a strong advocate for diversity. This award will be
based on organizational achievements. The Workplace Diversity Award is presented to the recipient at our WI State SHRM Conference that is being held October 12-14, 2011 at Monona Terrace in Madison, WI.

Who is eligible?

Organization/company nominated for this award should:

Have displayed diversity in their local community.
Be a role model for others in their advocacy of diversity.
Have demonstrated leadership in championing the cause of racial, cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and other aspects of diversity within the human resources profession and community.
Be an organization, company or division of an organization/company that is based in the State of Wisconsin.

Who can nominate?

Nominations may be submitted by a member of the Wisconsin State Council of SHRM (e.g., SHRM Chapter Presidents, Functional Directors, Regional Directors, or Officers)
Nominations may also be submitted by a Chapter Diversity Advocate/Chair from a Wisconsin SHRM Chapter. (Local Chapter Members and Chapter Board Members may prepare nominations for submission by their SHRM Chapter President or Chapter Diversity Advocate/Chair.)
An organization can self nominate by submitting the application to the board of their local chapter or directly to the WI State Council Diversity Director.

***Please remember that if you are nominating an organization other than your own, to work with that organization to fill out the nomination forms. We want to ensure that the organization has had the opportunity to add initiatives, etc. to the application.

How can one nominate?

Download and complete the nomination form: 2011 WISHRM Diversity Award Nomination (DOC)

When are nominations due?

A completed nomination must be received by August 1, 2011, for consideration.

How are recipients selected?

Nominations will be reviewed by a Diversity Advocate Awards Committee of the Wisconsin State Council of SHRM.

Completed nominations should be sent electronically or in hardcopy to:

2009 Diversity Award - Workplace Diversity Advocate Winner

The 2009 Wisconsin SHRM Workplace Diversity Advocate Award was presented to Quarles and Brady, LLP. Quarles & Brady weaves diversity throughout their entire organization. Diversity comes naturally to them and is imbedded into their culture; it is part of their every day activities and processes. They truly believe that it starts at the top and is lead by one of the National Law Journal’s 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers. They have diversity outreach programs, minority liaison programs, ongoing diversity training & retreats and diversity & inclusion councils.

Some of the community initiatives they provide are:

Quarles Care Program – this provides employees the opportunity to engage in civic and charitable initiatives within their communities. This program identifies and supports hands-on caring opportunities. Each firms has programs tailored within their given local community to meet that community’s needs. This can include partnerships with local schools, Second Harvest Food Bank, United Way, Boys & Girls Club and free legal clinics for low-income individuals.
The Fellowship Open – This golf event raises money for organizations and institutions that foster and develop character and values among minority youth. Quarles has contributed more than $400,000 to youth activities touching over 25 organizations. In 2004 The Fellowship Open was recognized by the PGA for outstanding efforts for minority youth in the community.

Quarles & Brady is truly a diversity leader. From their Diversity Business Plan to their community involvement, they are a role model for others.

Quarles has chosen Centro Legal to receive the $500.00 donation on behalf of the WI State Council in honor of them receiving this award. Centro Legal’s mission is to provide affordable legal representation to Milwaukee families so they may maintain stable homes and remain employed in the face of legal difficulties.

Diversity News & Articles

2010 WISHRM Diversity Advocate Award – Best Practices

The Milwaukee Center for Independence:

Hosts an annual, three-day Diversity Awareness Celebration event. The event is designed to encourage employees to learn more about their similarities and differences, celebrate various cultures and traditions and become more aware of diversity issues.
Produces quarterly “Diversity Corner” newsletters, monthly diversity email blasts, and diversity-centered “Lunch and Learn” sessions for staff.
The agency’s Diversity Team schedules an annual team member retreat, facilitated by an outside consultant, to reiterate and strengthen support of diversity initiatives using goal-setting and team-building activities.
Is considered a “knowledge center” in promoting diversity education and awareness in the greater Milwaukee community. An example is the agency’s collaboration with the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee to develop, host and promote diversity seminars and workshops in the MCFI Conference Center.
Recognizes Gay and Lesbian Pride Month with an LGBT awareness “Lunch and Learn” featuring information about the issues surrounding sexual orientation within the workplace and community.
Partners with the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) special education program to provide School to Work job opportunities at MCFI. Special education high school students gain the skills and experience they need to enter the workforce after graduation.
In collaboration with Summerfest, MCFI sponsors a program to greet and welcome visitors with disabilities and point out the amenities for people with special needs offered by the festival. MCFI employees and family members volunteer their time to provide this service, which began in 2005.
Works with the Milwaukee Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses by lending support in raising community awareness of Hispanic health issues and working to increase the number of Hispanics who choose nursing as a career.
In partnership with the Hmong/Asian-American community in Milwaukee, participated in and co-sponsored the 2nd Annual Corridors Network event. The Hmong/Asian-American community connects local families with a wide array of resources.
Works with the Milwaukee Chapter of TRIAD to outreach to the senior citizens’ community to help enhance the quality of life for older adults.

The Milwaukee Center for Independence and its Diversity Team are continuously exploring new opportunities to promote understanding among diverse groups, collaborate with allied organizations to advance diversity, and energize and educate staff members to become champions of diversity initiatives.

To accept the award on behalf of the Milwaukee Center for Independence, Mr. Alvin Hill, Director of Diversity and Learning and Development.

Mental Health Center of Dane County, Inc.:

The MHC internal website has a Cultural Diversity Library page for staff resources.
They participate in Health Fairs in the Latino, African American, and Southeast Asian communities.
Each MHCDC program developed specific cultural competent strategic plan aimed at making services more accessible to a diverse client population and to employees.
Crisis Intervention Team Training aimed at the elderly population.
There is a HIV Committee auction to provide support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

Gundersen Lutheran Health System of La Crosse

Patient and families’ knowledge, values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds is being incorporated into the planning of care for the patient as it is a part of our five year strategic plan.
They offer benefits for same sex and opposite sex partners.
Gundersen Lutheran was one of 182 hospitals that participated in the landmark survey for promoting the importance of diversity management called “The State of Healthcare Diversity and Disparities: A Benchmark Study of U.S Hospitals.”
Along with 9 other organizations, they developed and implemented a Healthcare Worker Initiative to increase education and employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
They helped develop a pre-college healthcare education program which encourages participation of low income and minority students.