Proudly diverse at RMA

As a society and as a business community, we are beginning to recognize the added business value of diversity in our workplaces. Diversity is quickly becoming a competitive advantage for businesses by fostering environments that promote creativity and innovation. These inclusive environments are reflective of and responsive to the diverse customers they serve. The enormous talent that springs from the unique traits and qualities of individuals offers today's businesses the opportunity to thrive in the global village.

Traditionally, the diversity discussion focused on the visible differences of gender, race, color, and age. Today, the discussion is widening its scope to recognize the invisible differences we all bring to the table. Invisible differences include personality, regionality, lifestyle, education, sexuality, and religion. Each individual has unique traits and qualities and interacts with others based on unique histories, experiences, and a host of other influences. Both the visible and the invisible differences offer a wealth of information, alternative approaches, and varying perspectives to solve problems and advance business objectives.

At RMA, we recognize what diversity offers to us. Seven months ago President and CEO Maurice H. Hartigan II began the Diversity Initiative at RMA by calling for the formation of a Diversity Task Force of RMA headquarters staff members--anyone who wanted to attend was invited to do so. Our first meeting had so many participants that we had standing room only in the conference room. To be more effective, we asked one participant from each department to represent his or her area, and we will rotate participants on and off the committee on an annual basis.

With feedback from all staff, the committee then developed a Diversity Mission Statement to guide its processes. Since then we have worked on steps to create a culture at RMA that is inclusive, respectful, and accepting of unique characteristics and differences. There are many specific venues for creating this culture, which include cultural education, diversity sensitivity training, vendor diversity programs, outreach into diverse communities for recruitment, and communication with our chapters and members.

On April 13, Jenny Kanakarat, a staff member from Thailand, hosted a wonderful luncheon that included a traditional Thai New Year's demonstration. The event offered us a view into the culture of one of our coworkers and transported us to an area of the world few of us have the opportunity to travel to.

We are evaluating diversity sensitivity training tools, such as videos and staff meetings, to help us embrace our differences and minimize misunderstandings. Efforts are under way to create a framework for vendor diversity to reach beyond the tried and true to the smaller, more flexible, and innovative business community of companies owned by women and minorities.

Our staff and instructor recruiting is being revamped to reach talent pools in minority communities. RMA's Web site has been updated with our Diversity Mission Statement, and we are further spreading the word to our members and other associates through our publications, events, and RMA staff who meet with our constituency.

In the coming months and years, RMA will engage diversity to celebrate the wealth of perspectives, ideas, histories, and experiences that make us stronger as an association so that we best serve our members. We see our diversity initiative extending from our headquarters staff, to our vendors, to our boards, to our chapters, and to our membership. By actively seeking inclusion at all levels, we fully appreciate the whole of RMA.

Cliessa Nagle may be contacted by e-mail at cnagle@rmahq.org.

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