NGB Joint Diversity Council named one of the nation's top 25 diversity councils

By Sgts. 1st Class Jim Greenhill and Jon Soucy
National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. (10/03/13) - The National Guard Bureau's Joint Diversity Executive Council was recognized as one of the top 25 diversity councils in the country by the Association of Diversity Councils here.

The JDEC placed seventh for outstanding contributions and achievement that lead organizational diversity processes, according to the Association of Diversity Councils."

"It's not easy," said Air Force Col. Ondra Berry, special assistant to the chief of the National Guard Bureau for diversity and equal opportunity and member of the JDEC, on reaching the number seven slot, adding that diversity is an important aspect for organizational growth and continued strength.
"When you hold on to your history, when you don't want to change, when you don't want to improve, you hold on at the expense of your destiny," said Berry.

Strength through diversity comes from strong leadership and increasing opportunities, he said.
"What you do every day is provide opportunity, create greatness, fulfill hopes and inspire people to be a little bit better," said Berry.

And part of that means exposing yourself to new ideas and diverse ways of thinking.

"You cannot lead people further than what you've been exposed to on the topic diversity and inclusion," said Berry. "You are in a better position for leadership when you are exposed to new ideas. You can only change people's thinking through education.""

Under the guidance and direction of the chief of the National Guard Bureau, the JDEC provides strategic policies and procedures with the objective of operationalizing diversity throughout the National Guard.

In its fifth year, the Diversity Council Honors Award recognizes and awards the outstanding contributions and achievements of diversity council groups that lead organizational diversity processes and demonstrate results in their workforce, workplace and marketplace." Councils complete and submit a comprehensive application demonstrating council contributions and achievements in four categories: results, management commitment, measurement and accountability, and communication and education.
According to the National Guard Bureau Policy on Diversity, diversity includes differences in characteristics, background, attributes and experiences. However, further expansion is essential to create a culture that fosters:

• Absolute respect for all people no matter their rank, function or position.
• Inclusion, engagement and management of talents to capitalize the potential power.
• Diversity in thoughts, ideas and perspectives to promote moral courage and trust.
• Confidence in equal opportunity for all.
• An independent mindset where collaboration is the standard.

Diversity councils effect cultural change by establishing processes and practices that are sustainable and coincide with the bottom line for the long term, according to the National Guard's "Leader's Guide to Diversity," which states"that the responsibilities of diversity councils in the National Guard include:

• Aligning diversity with strategic goals.
• Integrating diversity into the fabric of the organization.
• Promoting fluid communication throughout the organization.
• Providing visionary strategies in the areas of recruitment, retention, engagement and productivity.
• Encouraging leadership development through diversity practices and processes.
• Improving mentoring relationships in force development.
• Increasing employee satisfaction.

Paralleling the National Guard Bureau's Joint Diversity Executive Council, the 54 states and territories and the District of Columbia have been establishing State Joint Diversity Councils.

Organizations such as the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute teach that diversity is more complex and more about the entire culture than merely satisfying a set of statistics, but metrics remain one important measure of success in diversity. According to the "Leader's Guide," some of the significant metrics in the National Guard include recruiting and retention, assignment patterns, awards and decorations, disciplinary data, training opportunities, evaluations, promotion boards, climate surveys, leadership diversity and involvement in diversity and lawsuits and complaints.

The award was the National Guard Bureau Joint Diversity Executive Council's second time appearing in the national Top 25 ranking.