Diversity is a top priority at the Detroit Regional Chamber. In fact, diversity is incorporated into all the Chamber does -- internally and externally. The Diversity Council is an internal staff committee that is tasked with promoting diversity and dialogue within the organization.

Working cooperatively with the Executive Management Team and the Spirit Team, the Diversity Council is charged with:

• Providing feedback from all levels of the Chamber.
• Establishing links to ensure diversity considerations are integrated into all marketing and business initiatives.
• Implementing a system-wide diversity awareness and training program to clarify expectations, establish a shared understanding and communicate the Chamber’s commitment to diversity leadership.
• Developing a measure and standard, serving as a benchmark and best practice to assess overall effectiveness of the diversity effort.
• Serving as a diversity advocate for the Chamber.
• Recognizing, publishing and celebrating the successes of diversity efforts.
• Providing support for the internal assessment process.
• Providing recommendations to leadership on diversity strategies and directions.

Diversity Guiding Principles:

The Detroit Regional Chamber will strive to be the national leader for strategic diversity effectiveness. The Chamber will achieve this by:

• Becoming the employer of choice by reflecting a workforce representative of the region.
• Supporting an environment where all employees have opportunities for personal growth and professional development.
• Fostering strong leadership which expects, and models, accountability, flexibility and candor among all employees.
• Becoming the business advocacy organization of choice by seeking a diverse membership reflective of the region.
• Providing innovative quality programs and products, responding to the needs of diverse customers.
• Mandate a global culture where mutual respect and inclusiveness are the standards, and differing backgrounds, personal styles and viewpoints are considered competitive assets as well as business imperative.

To support the intent of the guiding principles, these “Work-life Principles” are organizational behaviors colleagues will follow:

• Appreciate and understand differences of opinions.
• Listen well and focus on the uniqueness of co-workers.
• Address issues directly with the person involved.
• Learn to live with others.
• Treat others’ as you like to be treated every day, in every way.

Diversity Activities

• Diversity Day Luncheons (India, South America, American Ojibway Indians, Peace Corp.)
• MLK Forum
• Generations At Work Lunch & Learn
• "Affirmations" Lunch & Learn
• Diversity in America Training Class
• Diversity in the Workplace Training Class
• Connections I & II Training Classes
• Off-site Diversity Experience
• The ARC Detroit Lunch & Learn