Our Commitment to Positive and Lasting Social Change

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Gayle Kvenvold

Leading Change. Changing Lives. That is more than our promise. It is our purpose. During our recent LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors meeting, we re-committed to positive and lasting social change through not only our words but our actions.
 

The Board of Directors adopted our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion position. Recognizing that a statement is just one step in our commitment to cultivate a culture of inclusivity, respect and dignity, the Board also called for actions and activities that will advance positive change.

We are pleased to share our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion statement and the first three tools we have developed to help advance our vision and our work.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

LeadingAge Minnesota is committed to positive and lasting social change. Our commitment to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion is essential to our mission to transform and enhance the experience of aging.

Leading Change. Changing Lives. That is more than our promise; it is our purpose.

Today, as we look to each other for support, strength and understanding, we know that we can and will do more. We are called upon to address past injustices and current inequities, while advancing meaningful change. And we will answer the call.

We recommit to cultivating a culture of inclusivity, respect and dignity. We will create spaces for and engage in difficult conversations. We will listen, learn and amplify the voices of diverse communities. We will advocate for public policies that advance inclusion and equity. We will embed diversity, equity and inclusion in our strategic plan and all the work we do.

We are strengthened in the knowledge that in this work we are better together. We invite you to join us as we work together to create communities where all individuals are safe, valued and respected and can age with dignity, meaning and purpose.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resources

Diversity, equity and inclusion are not only important to the success and health of an organization – they are important to the individual members of your workforce.

Inclusion is about people feeling sense of belonging, connectedness and community in the workplace. Staff who feel supported, engaged, and part of a team are more likely to succeed and stay within your organization.

Organizations that embrace a diverse workforce do better financially, recruit and retain top talent, score higher in staff satisfaction, and provide better customer service. Diverse team members also offer varied perspectives which can increase creativity and improve decision-making in your organization. 

A May 2020 McKinsey report frames the urgent need for this work:

“Hiring diverse talent isn’t enough—it’s the experience they have in the workplace that shapes whether they remain and thrive.”

We are committed to sharing tools and resources with members as we enhance our own knowledge base in this area. The first three tools we have developed are:

Diversity & Inclusion Conversation Starter Toolkit

Definition Guidance: Diversity & Inclusion

Organizational Assessment Tool

Watch Advantage and our Diversity & Inclusion webpage for additional updates and resources.