This year, the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) will focus on growth and change in a way that it never has before. It is the first year our League has an official Diversity & Inclusion Committee (D&I), and we reached out to Chief of Diversity & Inclusion, Spencer Lash to get the scoop on the exciting things this new endeavor will bring to the JLC.
Please provide us with a little background on the formation of the Diversity & Inclusion committee.
The JLC has been on its D&I journey for 25 years (see header image), but it really ramped up over the last 3-5 years. The JLC adopted its Diversity & Inclusion commitment statement in 2018 and used this statement as one of the guiding principles when developing the current five-year Strategic Plan. The JLC then created a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. In 2019, the Task Force was approved by the Board as an official sub-committee to continue leading this important work. The 2020-2021 sub-committee was charged with developing a long-term sustainable plan to embed Diversity, Equity & Inclusion into the day-to-day work and shift the JLC culture. Last year, the JLC membership collectively voted to make the current D&I committee an official placement.
What are the priorities for the committee this year?
Breaking those down, this year we are really focused on training for our committee, the Board of Directors, Management Team, and a few other select groups. Providing training to these leaders means they can pass on lessons to their committee and council members.
We’re also looking to recruit more diverse women. The committee is working with the Human Resources Council to accomplish this, but that starts with ALL of our members. Tell your friends about the JLC and why it’s a great place for them to be! We also want our members to let us know about other organizations/groups they are involved in. If we can get in front of those groups to help spread our mission and recruit, even better!
In the end, we’re just hoping to engrain D&I into the minds of all members, that way it becomes second nature for them to think about D&I when making decisions.
How can the non-Committee members of the JLC get involved with D&I efforts?
An easy way– participate in the ice breakers every month. The D&I committee created inclusive ice breakers for the year. Every month, they get emailed to all leaders to ask at the beginning of meetings each month. If you’re a leader, make sure you are asking these questions. For those being asked, really think about a meaningful response.
Participate in events the D&I committee holds. Members can find and RSVP to these events from within the Digital Cheetah app.
Ask questions. Whether that be about decisions that are happening across the League or within this committee in general. My inbox is always open and I’m always willing to have a one-on-one conversation with you if you have questions/comments/concerns/suggestions.
What are some helpful ways for people of all ages to implement D&I practices in their daily life?
The most basic, yet helpful thing I can think of, is just be willing to listen with an open heart. In its most simplistic form, diversity just means different. We’re all different. Be willing to listen to people who are different from you. Whether that be a different race, religion, political party, age, etc. We can all learn from each other.
Any other information about the committee you would like to add?
These are all slated roles, which means it’s time to apply for these roles!* If this work is something you’re passionate about, APPLY!
*Please see this year’s Slate timelines below:
- Slate Nomination Period: 9/1/21-9/21/21
- Slate Application Period: 9/17/21-10/4/21
