DGR Coalition Quarterly Roundup

Quarterly Roundup

July - September

2023

Gathering information and resources to help you increase your understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), address gaps in representation on your teams, and explore the unintended consequences that result from policy and advocacy that lack sufficient diverse representation, voice, and perspective.

DGR Coalition update

Below is a brief Coalition update.

DGR Coalition Survey: Insights Preview

We continue to be incredibly grateful for your support of the DGR Coalition and our mission and are very much looking forward to distributing the full survey report. With a full team of volunteers, coordinating this effort has been an absolute labor of love.

As we approach the full survey rollout, we wanted to share a preview of some of the open-ended commentary shared by survey respondents. Their responses revealed and reflected the complexity of respondents’ experiences and interpretations of the government relations field. And when asked to share their thoughts about diversity and inclusion overall at their organizations, responses were found to have a range of feelings, from appreciation of efforts and belief in their effectiveness to, more commonly, recognition of the long road ahead, as well as skepticism about their organizations’ true aims or progress–and in some cases, a rejection of diversity initiatives altogether. Please find excerpts from a sampling of these responses below:

Celebration

“My org has a strong DEI initiative and presence and [it’s] threaded through both our internal and external processes.”

Recognition of the long road ahead

“We've implemented a DEI initiative, and I'm definitely seeing improvement, but we still have a ways to go.”

Skepticism

“My organization says a lot about DEI, but that is not often translated into action or policies.”
"My organization cares [more] about performative diversity and displaying an outward appearance of DEI than substantive internal changes that will positively impact employees.”

Objection

“None of this should matter; diversity and inclusion departments are antithetical to meritocracy.”

Respondents also shared recommendations for how to create more inclusive cultures and included suggestions for recruiting and hiring more diverse staff. Some suggestions include:

Hiring geography or moving operations to access more diverse candidate pools
Considering different types of experiences or educational backgrounds among candidates
Ensuring that organizational leadership is committed to DEI goals
Bringing in support from consultants with expertise in this work
Increased pay or greater pay equity

Stay tuned for the full survey results!

ICYMI - We released the Diversity in Government Relations Survey Snapshot report last year (Featured in Politico Influence - see article here.)

Events to attend

Attending events can enhance understanding and provide exposure to new tools and ways of thinking. Below are upcoming events that offer an opportunity to recognize the barriers to increased diverse representation and sharpen skill sets to increase inclusive behaviors.

Women in Government Relations' (WGR)
The Post Affirmative Action Landscape: Practical Approaches from Campus Admissions Leaders is scheduled for October 12, 2023, will focus on “how campus admissions officers and other stakeholders in the college admissions process will align their policies with the recent SFFA decision.”

Lifting Voices, Taking Action: A WGR Convening on Maternal Health is scheduled for November 29, 2023, to “hear from leading experts, key congressional staff, business leaders, and WGR members on the status of maternal health in the US and what can be done to improve it.”

Resources to leverage

The impact on communities should always be considered when approaching advocacy and policymaking. Workplaces are microcosms of our broader communities, and workplace culture plays a large role in how we experience society. For meaningful policymaking, we must consider the impact of lived experiences outside and inside the workplace. Below you’ll find articles and reports to add to your resource pile illustrating the importance of accounting for differing experiences and providing a framework for incorporating equity and inclusive thinking into your role as government relations professionals.

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage month (Sep 15 - Oct 15), we are sharing a few articles that enhance our understanding of the Latinx community and experiences.

Center for American Progress, Latino Workers Continue To Experience a Shortage of Good Jobs - “Although Hispanic and Latino workers have high employment rates in the United States, labor market experiences differ substantially within this community.”

SHRM, Closing the Gap - “As the Hispanic population booms, workers in this demographic seek better representation in C-suites and corporate boardrooms.”

Axios, Latinas Won’t See Equal Pay Day for Several More Months - “This year's Equal Pay Day won't come until October.”

(Blog) Quorum, How Government Relations Advances DEI Goals - “DEI is not something effective government relations teams can ignore.”

(Event Recording) Brookings, Improving racial equity through public policy - “Experts share ways to mitigate bias and discrimination and generate greater equity in social, economic, and political outcomes.”

We’d love to have you share your talent and perspectives as we partner to encourage greater diversity in the government relations field!

Email info@dgrcoalition.org to learn more about becoming involved in the Coalition.

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