Workforce Diversity Initiatives

We embrace diversity as a strategy to advance the effectiveness of Chicago associations and nonprofit organizations.

Association Forum's members represent all aspects of society, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, religion and family status. The Association Forum is a totally inclusive organization. We value the differences in our membership and we recognize that diversity adds value to our  organization, our mission and the quality of our programs and services.

Because we believe so strongly in diversity, we regularly promote workforce diversity among our members with resources, programs and initiatives designed to enhance the diversity of Chicago associations:

• Diversity Committee: An ideal volunteer opportunity for Association Forum members who believe in the benefits of workforce diversity, the Association Forum’s Workforce Development and Diversity Committee is dedicated to promoting and achieving diversity in Chicago associations.

• Diversity Resources: We’ve created a library of resources designed to help associations enhance the diversity of their organizations; featuring articles for and about minorities — for association job seekers as well as association employers — it’s full of information designed to create a more inclusive association management landscape.

• Diversity Scholarships: Every year, we award six Association Workforce Diversity Scholarships to advance a diverse group of professionals who are in the developmental stages of their association management careers.

• Diversity Initiatives: The Association Forum’s Workforce Diversity Partnership was established in 2007 to increase the number of diverse management personnel employed by Chicagoland associations.

Association Forum’s Workforce Diversity Program is generously sponsored by the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau