ISCPA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative

"Like a string of beads, it is our unique differences and intricacies that make us so appealing and attractive. We would not be as beautiful if we were all the same. It’s the contrast and asymmetry that makes us worth while."
— Lindsey Lunsford, M.E.M., Second Edition DEI Fellow

 The  field  of  Diversity, Equity & Inclusion continues to evolve as marketplace and workplace demands flux. For many of us, it is easier to think about embracing these concepts than acting to achieve these concepts. None of us will step up to these challenges with the same history and goals;  and our paths along the way will be just as diverse as the concepts we are exploring.  Once we agree to suspend our right to be offended, we open our minds to growth. Starting your journey towards understanding the concepts of DE&I and then working to embrace and incorporate them in your daily lives is powerful and something to be celebrated.

Thanks to a grant from the Deloitte's MADE (Making Accounting Diverse & Equitable) program, ISCPA is proud to partner with The CTR Factor and our members as we explore DE&I and work together to strengthen ourselves, our communities, our workplaces and Idaho.

Our program consists of a series of three, 2-hour videos, a thought-provoking Annual Meeting and a 1-hour virtual presentation to assist our members move through the DEI concepts at their own pace.

Our goals for this program are:

• Enhancing our members' understanding of the current landscape surrounding Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Enabling members to reflect on both  their personal, and their company’s, status on this wide area of consideration
• Engaging members in exploring ways in which they can embrace these concepts to improve their personal space as well as their workplace 

• Encouraging members to embrace diversity and invite everyone to the dance; and then taking the next step by practicing inclusion and asking everyone at the dance to dance with us 

A few benefits of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce: (source - qualtrix xm)

• Bolsters financial performance. A study conducted by McKinsey & Company found that ethnically diverse companies are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians. Gender-diverse companies are 15% more likely to outperform their respective national industry medians.
• Highlights your organization as an employer of choice. According to Glassdoor, 67% of job seekers view a diverse workforce as an important factor when evaluating companies and considering job offers.
• Fosters innovation and growth. Harvard Business Review found that diverse companies are 70% likelier to capture a new market. They’re also 45% more likely to report increased market share year over year.
• Increases employee engagement. 83% of millennials report being actively engaged when they believe their organization fosters an inclusive workplace culture. That percentage drops to 60% when their organization does not foster an inclusive culture. (A Gallup study has assessed the cost of disengaged employees at up to $350 billion per year in lost productivity.)
• Supports powerful decision making. Teams that are inclusive make better decisions up to 87% of the time, according to a study conducted by Forbes.

 For background thought: (source - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - A Professional Development Offering of the eXtension Foundation Impact Collaborative)

Diversity is the presence of differences that may include race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, age, religious commitment, or political perspective.  Populations that have been, and remain, underrepresented among practitioners in the field and marginalized in the broader society.

Equity is promoting justice, impartiality and fairness within the procedures, processes, and distribution of resources by institutions or systems.  Tackling equity issues requires an understanding of the root causes of outcome disparities within our society.

Inclusion is an outcome to ensure those that are diverse actually feel and/or are welcomed.  Inclusion outcomes are met when you, your institution, and your program are truly inviting to all.  To the degree to which diverse individuals are able to participate fully in the decision-making processes and development opportunities within an organization or group.