What's Going on with Diversity in SMPS?
Yvonne Jackson, SMPS Diversity Committee and Marketing Manager, B&E Jackson & Associates
A lot if you ask the SMPS Diversity Committee...

Take a look around, wherever you are: Do you see any diversity in your presence right now? Chances are you do. There is a great deal of diversity in our lives and environments. We can find diversity in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and even in the customers we serve. Diversity is a natural part of life and a natural part of any organization. For the past several months, the Diversity Committee has been busy defining diversity goals and objectives for SMPS. Some of our committee goals are as follows:

• highlight and bring awareness to diversity-related issues in the A/E/C industry
• assist SMPS with implementing diversity strategies at the chapter level
• develop and distribute a Diversity Manual.

The committee is making progress toward education on diversity-related issues. At this year's SMPS/PSMA National Conference, the Diversity Committee is presenting and moderating a panel discussion titled "The Business Case for Diversity: Our Client's Perspective" on Friday, August 13, 1-2:30 pm. Please join us as we have an in-depth discussion on diversity and how it affects the A/E/C industry.

Another important initiative of the Diversity Committee is to create a Diversity Advisory Committee. With the globalization of business and the changing demographics within the United States, diversity has become one of the most important issues within an organizational structure. The SMPS Diversity Advisory Committee is charged with the task of developing, educating, promoting, and creating organizational guidelines and educational programs that will embrace diversity.

We are looking for SMPS' brightest business leaders to join the committee as Advisors to provide vision and foresight to the existing SMPS diversity road map. Diversity Committee member Yvonne Jackson will lead this national effort to reach out to government agencies, private industries, non-profit associations, and many other entities. To learn more about the Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) or to get involved, contact Yvonne Jackson at 770.714.4264 or yjackson@bejackson.com. [ return to top ]