September Education Topic – The Value of Employee Resource Groups and Best Practices for Developing your ERGs

“Explore the benefits of ERGs and their link to diversity initiatives, business strategies, workforce morale, recruitment and retention, productivity and innovation as well as company reputation.  Employee groups contribute to business success by attracting clients and new employees from diverse backgrounds, creating a good work environment for all employees, and helping the company deliver on its commitment to diversity. They also provide a safe environment for employees to develop leadership skills."

Upcoming event information: 
September 2010 FCDC Meeting
Date:  September 15, 2010
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Conference Center
4800 Deerwood Campus Parkway
Jacksonville, Florida 32246 

Please click here to register online and reserve your seat!

Best regards,
First Coast Diversity Council - Northeast Florida

Message From FCDC Vice- President - Walette Stanford

It is with mixed emotions that I inform you First Coast Diversity Council has lost a passionate committed diversity and community leader to another city.  Ed Gallegos has decided to move his Jacksonville roots to St Louis Missouri.   Although it is a sad moment for those of us who have known and worked with Ed in the past years, this is a wonderful career opportunity for Ed.  We have enjoyed his leadership and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work closely with him.  He will be greatly missed by the entire FCDC Family.

I will assume the role as interim President until our next elections take place in December.  Additionally, my prior role as FCDC Vice-President will remain open until the December elections.  I look forward to the challenge of my new role and anticipate working with each of you will continue our path of building a stronger community through understanding.    

Please prepare for our next General Meeting on September 15, 2010 at BCBS of Florida Conference Center.  The topic will be “Best Practices in ERGs”.

Our July topic was an insightful session regarding, “How to Build the Business Case for your Cultural Competence/Diversity Initiative”.  We received high reviews from the participants who provided the following comments:

• Wow – my eyes were opened
• The case study was detailed and well defined. Very interesting.
• Great learning objectives
• Diversity really does impact the bottom line

We are looking forward to an equally impactful discussion at our September event.  I look forward to seeing you there!   

As always thanks for your support of the First Coast Diversity Council.

Walette Stanford

Interim President, First Coast Diversity Council