Opportunities for You to Get Involved in SWANA Member Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

To advance its overall mission and strengthen the association, SWANA’s Board of Directors included a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative in its new Forward, Together five-year strategic plan. The initiative is part of the goal to help make our industry more appealing to potential employees who may not immediately identify solid waste and resource management as the industry that will provide them with great, long-term employment. SWANA encourages members to get involved in the DEI initiative.

Next Steps and Opportunities for You to Get Involved

Participate in a Focus Group

Hearing directly from members about your experiences is extremely important as the DEI Strategic Roadmap is developed. The Board of Directors has authorized Nonprofit HR to host a variety of focus groups to give members an opportunity to more directly share their experiences. The groups will vary across demographic, job duties, and SWANA involvement in order to expand on the variety of responses received. There are limited places available in each group, so the registration below will ask you to select ONE 60-minute session that best aligns with your schedule from February 1st through 9th, and corresponds with an identity group to which you belong.

Consider Joining the DEI Steering Committee

As mentioned above, the Board established a DEI Steering Committee several years ago and it provides guidance to the Board concerning the direction of SWANA’s DEI initiative. One of Nonprofit HR recommendations already accepted by the Board is to increase the number and diversity of SWANA’s DEI Steering Committee members from the current four people to about 12 people. If you are a SWANA member, have a diverse perspective and an interest in this project, please consider applying to become a member of the DEI Steering Committee tasked with supporting the development of SWANA’s DEI Strategic Roadmap. The requested commitment is for a year, beginning in February of 2023, with meetings held virtually, approximately once per month. To apply, complete this form no later than 11:59 pm ET Monday, February 6.