Diversity Mission/Statement

• "A diversity statement captures for both internal and external audiences the organization's reasons for focusing on diversity.

To develop such a statement, take these steps:

1. Define what you mean by diversity.
2. Decide what approach you will take to diversity. Are you going to tolerate, value, celebrate, manage, or leverage it?
3. Determine what success will look like.
4. Consistently communicate that you are focusing on these issues and why you are doing so (Digh, 1999)."

• Include you diversity statement on all appropriate organizational materials (Digh, 1999).
• Articulate the business reasons for your diversity focus (Digh, 1999).
• Use the language in existing diversity statements from other organizations to spark discussions about what diversity means to your organization (Digh, 1999).
• The organizational imperative must state clearly how transforming the old culture and ways of operating and shifting to a new way of business will benefit the organization and each individual. Three critical components of an effective organizational imperative are as follows:

1. Tell the story of all the factors that have changed - such as the environment, the marketplace, the needs and expectations of individuals and of the organization - and what is driving the organization to make this process necessary.
2. Announce a clear statement of the imperative: what is to be gained and why it is necessary for the organization's survival and success.
3. Give examples of costs and missed opportunities incurred by the old ways of operating and old culture, contrasted with examples of expected organizational and personal successes likely to result from living the new culture (Miller & Katz, 2002).

• Organizations will be well served to develop vision statements that incorporate diversity issues throughout the future focus. The new corporate vision should project the meaningful involvement of people with differences whose unique contributions based on their backgrounds, values, cultures, and expressions improve the organization's performance results (Coleman, 1994).
• Adopt a mission statement overtly embracing cultural diversity. This mission statement should emphasize a campus philosophy/climate that is open to diversity. Each sub-unit, such as the individual college, school, and department, should also develop mission statements that reflect/emphasize a cultural focus. These statements should be publicly displayed and openly discussed among student groups and faculty groups on campus (Dumas-Hines, Cochran, & Williams 2001).