Certified Inclusive Employer

As a community with little racial diversity, North Iowa is striving to be more welcoming to ALL kinds of people. Workforce attraction and retention is our most pressing need to achieve economic growth and prosperity for our citizens.

Conversations about solving diversity problems typically start with, “How can we hire more minorities?” but some of the most successful efforts don’t start with hiring at all. They start with inclusion. The Building CommUNITY effort is about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—commonly referred to as DEI.

The Chamber is on a mission to help other companies do their best hiring. We are constantly thinking about how we can attract and retain workers in North Iowa. In speaking with a myriad of talent professionals, we’re struck by a common theme: people are more aware of, and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) than ever.

DEI will be a critical consideration of on-going business strategy for our members and the North Iowa community.

How Businesses Can Help with DEI Efforts

We're asking Chamber members to utilize this Building CommUNITY DEI Guide and take the North Iowa DEI Pledge to become Certified Inclusive Employers.

  1. Build an Inclusive Environment: Provide a confidential "unconscious bias" self-test for current employees.
  2. Walk the Talk: Adopt a DEI policy for your business.
  3. Take the Building CommUNITY DEI Pledge and commit to on-going DEI training and efforts.
  4. Next Steps: Participate in DEI training and utilize DEI resources.

 

 

 

 

 

Members who complete the steps outlined in the DEI Guide and commit to operating as an inclusive employer can utilize the Certified Inclusive Employer Toolkit which includes:

  1. Certified Inclusive Employer door/window clings
  2. Electronic Certified Inclusive Employer graphic for use in email signature lines, websites, employment application materials, etc.
  3. Sample news release
  4. Sample newsletter articles
  5. Free admission to DEI training seminars presented by the Chamber’s Worksite Wellness Committee and DEI Resources.

For more information on the Building CommUNITY DEI efforts, or to sign up to become a Certified Inclusive Employer, contact Allyson Krull at the Chamber.

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