The purpose of the annual Diversity LEADER award is to promote and encourage diversity best practices among organizations within the HRMA membership. There are many dimensions to diversity and inclusion with respect to race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, and cultural backgrounds. HRMA has defined what it means to be a diversity leader. Components include: Leadership Commitment, Education, Alignment, Dynamic, Engagement, and Results and Measurement.

Leadership Commitment
The organizations’ leaders must be intrinsically involved in the diversity effort being nominated. The key people provide the vision for the program(s) and are involved in their development and implementation.

Education
All nominations must have an educational component. Think of education in its’ broadest terms; aimed at individual and organizational change.

Alignment
To be successful a diversity effort must be aligned with the mission, vision, values, strategy and goals of the organization. The diversity effort must be supported by policies, practices, and communications.

Dynamic
Dynamism is evidenced by creativity, innovation, and progression. The diversity effort foresees organizational needs and may be seen as the cutting edge. It represents an approach that changes the “business as usual” mentality.

Engagement
Building a sense of ownership by multiple stakeholder groups is necessary for the success of a diversity effort.

Results and Measurement
More than good intentions are needed for a successful diversity initiative. The business case for diversity is made by demonstrating (observing and measuring) the outcomes.

Eligibility
Nominations are limited to organizations represented by an HRMA member(s). There is dual opportunity for nomination:

• Nominate your own organization
• Nominate another organization

Categories
Three (3) awards will be given based on the number of employees in the organization:
Small Business – Less then 250 employees
Medium Business – 251 – 1000 employees
Large Business – over 1000 employees

Each award recipient will receive an award and advertising/promotion of the award. Recipients will be formally announced at and expected to attend the November 2010 dinner meeting and encouraged to invite 2-3 employees and/or management representatives to join them.

2010 Deadline
The application process will begin May 10, 2010. All entries must be received no later than June 30, 2010

Questions? Please contact:
Angela Schaefer, SPHR
Thompson Coburn LLP
314-552-6414
aschaefer@thompsoncoburn.com