Well intentions can be the greatest motivation to start a new initiative. But, sometimes plans fail to reach implementation because of misguided information. Diversity and inclusion is one of those initiatives that I often hear about lacking in organizations due to the myth that you need to be a large company with hundreds of employees, a massive budget and a seasoned diversity practitioner on staff. This is far from the truth. Positive intent and a willing champion is all that’s needed to create a jumping off point to establish movement in the area of workplace diversity. The Greenville Chamber desires to be a resource to member organizations interested in integrating diversity and inclusion within their companies. To deliver upon this, the Chamber has developed the CAPACITY Builders Program to help its members effectively manage workplace diversity. This program has been established to reinforce the positive outcomes that can occur with strategic diversity and inclusion practices integrated into the operations of an organization. CAPACITY Builders are among the ranks of Upstate organizations that are committed to diversity and inclusion, but desire guidance and counsel for full integration and optimal results. The CAPACITY Builders tools and service are not intended to be exhaustive, but are meant to help organizations jump-start diversity and inclusion efforts or refine existing direction of work in this space. The inspiration for this program was realized when considering that 85% of the Greenville Chamber’s membership is comprised of small businesses. These are companies with 50 or fewer employees who in most cases do not have the ability to hire a staff person dedicated to overseeing diversity and inclusion efforts within their organizations. However, many of these businesses recognize the value of diversity and inclusion to their overall business model and desire to become more forward-thinking in their approach to diversity and inclusion. Every organization had to start somewhere. Don’t be the organization that waits until all major milestones have been met before considering the value of diversity and inclusion. Use the bullets below to decipher if your organization could benefit from the CAPACITY Builder’s Program.

• Small to mid-size organizations looking to get started with their diversity and inclusion efforts and need guidance.
• Organizations without a designated diversity and inclusion practitioner on staff, or one who lacks experience in this discipline, could benefit from a support system with advisors and tools
• Organizations without an existing diversity and inclusion program, or whose diversity and inclusion program is ineffective, could benefit from the guidance of a practitioner to help the company navigate its way to successful implementation of  diversity and inclusion practices.

This 15-month program will launch October of 2013. Participating organizations will be able to attend educational workshops, meet with diversity and inclusion advisors, receive monthly emails with diversity and inclusion best practices, participate in round table meetings to share ideas and discuss real time issues, assessments to measure success, a tool kit of diversity resources to get started and access to the Chamber's diversity and inclusion programs - all for a one time, minimal investment. Don’t let a myth keep your organization from joining in the ranks of Upstate organizations that are committed to diversity and inclusion, but desire guidance and counsel for full integration and optimal results. To learn more, and hear from some of the advisors watch this short video. Heard enough, download the information packet and sign up today! Learn more about CAPACITY, Greenville Chamber’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Follow CAPACITY on Twitter Like CAPACITY on Facebook Check out the CAPACITY YouTube Channel