*NSA Diversity Worksheet Speaking is a profession and part of a larger Meetings Industry. Here are actions other meeting organizations are taking to support and promote diversity in their associations. Leading the Pack Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Multicultural Initiative The Multicultural Initiative is about doing business in a changing world where multicultural markets are economically viable and make a difference. This Initiative addresses the needs of, and provides leadership opportunities for, untapped markets (currently African-American, Asian and Hispanic) in the meeting industry. Research, business-to-business alliances with multicultural organizations, partnerships, personal and professional development, mentoring and recruitment are some of the program's components. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has the lead sponsorship role, joining the Foundation in this initiative's funding. http://www.mpiweb.org/resources/mci/pdfs/Multicultural-brochure.pdf MPI's Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) is a grassroots effort to provide research, education, mentoring and networking for and about women in the meeting industry. Its mission is to be an agent of change for women aspiring to be leaders. We do this through career development, organizational advocacy and, of course, networking. The WLI was officially launched in January 2001 when meeting industry veteran Christine Duffy, COO and President of McGettigan Partners, observed that although the meeting industry is made up primarily of women, few held leadership positions in their organizations or corporations. MPI's own membership is 76 percent women. How Does The WLI Operate? The WLI falls under the MPI Foundation and has a full-time director and an advisory board. It partners with a network of "WLI Chapter Liaisons" in approximately 50 of the 61 MPI chapters. This initiative is funded through the generous sponsorship and support of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and the MPI Foundation. In addition, the MPI Association contributes office space and covers overhead expenses at its headquarters in Dallas. It offers educational programs, research, networking opportunities, a scholarship fund and a regular series in the Meeting Professional Magazine. http://www.mpiweb.org/resources/wli/default.asp Joint Task Force with Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) & MPI/Foundation Joint efforts include: The toolkit -- rolled out at PCMA's 2005 Annual Meeting, (Jan. 9-12 in Honolulu) and MPI's Professional Education Conference-North America, (Jan. 23-25 in San Diego) -- will supply recommendations on educational/professional development as it relates to cultural awareness, marketing, and business opportunities in their respective markets. Future deliverables of the MPI-PMCA Multicultural Education Program include scholarships, joint educational programs and leadership opportunities focusing on the African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian and Native America markets in the meeting industry. ASAE offers education and leadership programs in the association community. Women's Executive Leadership Luncheon-Heart & Soul This program brings the association community together to raise the awareness of the number one health issue facing women: heart disease. Last year the event drew more than 400 attendees. It is hosted in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership leverage the scope of this luncheon by partnering with the National Institute of Health's Heart Truth Campaign, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the Heart Rhythm Society, the American Hospital Association WomenHeart, and the Sister to Sister Foundation. Diversity Committee The role of the committee is to promote involvement and expand access to leadership opportunity, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, or professional level. It seeks recommendations on how to make ASAE's leadership and membership more diverse and helps its allied societies to develop diversity/diversity-related programs. In addition, it coordinates the DELP program. Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) The Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) is designed to help individuals from underrepresented segments of the association community advance into the ranks of leadership in the association management profession. DELP scholars participate in an accelerated leadership program of education and volunteer service in the association community. The DELP is offered in partnership with the allied societies, under the sponsorship of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. Ten scholarship recipients receive one-year complimentary membership in ASAE. The scholarship also includes complimentary registration with travel and lodging to the ASAE Annual Meeting and Convention and two (2) other ASAE education programs, waiver of CAE examination fee and study guide materials. In addition to a local mentor, there is an opportunity for service on an ASAE committee or council and ability to meet ASAE senior staff and volunteer leadership. The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)- http://www.shrm.org/diversity Has an entire part of its site dedicated to diversity including articles regarding the Business purpose for diversity, spelling out differences between diversity & affirmative action. There was a workplace conference on diversity and the organization even has a newsletter called Mosaics that discusses diversity issues. American Society of Training and Development (ASTD)- ASTD has a wealth of information, case studies, articles including discussions on ROI and training on diversity issues. In addition, there is a big emphasis on involving diversity in leadership and involving other countries. Go to www.astd.org and then to search "diversity" to look for their programs. Management of Cultural Diversity | Lausanne Hotel School Intercultural Competences As An Added Value Within Companies Has an international hotel school in Lausanne, Switzerland. With the increasing rate of international exchanges as well as the emphasis on free movement of specialized workers, cultural diversity has become a reality that should not be ignored in the current economic world. It is an asset which companies should benefit from in order to maintain their world competitiveness. International Society of Exhibition Management (IAEM)- Will be doing women's leadership programs in the future. American Airways magazine calls Linda Swindling "a bargaining expert." Linda calls herself a recovering attorney. From keynoting on persuasion or leadership to facilitating a strategy session or networking event, Linda brings that blend of education, quick wit and entertainment that is crucial for today's meetings. This Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) is a mediator, an author, a journalist and a former TV and stage personality. Meeting Professionals International chose Linda as one of their Platinum Series Speaker and she was selected twice as the Outstanding Speaker of the Year by the Hospitality and Marketing Association International. Linda serves as a national director for NSA. Linda can be reached at www.lindaswindling.com or 877.800.5023. Return