Task Force: Corporate Board on Board Diversity

Congratulations!

You have been assigned to present a detailed plan of actions to the corporate board of your company to increase board diversity. Your goal is to convince the board that it needs to be diversified while also outlining a plan for doing so!

Why Are We Doing This?

Approximately 57% of employees would like to see their company increase diversity in the workplace. California requires boards of companies that are headquartered in the state to have at least one woman on their boards. Here, we are asking you to specifically consider how to increase gender and ethnic diversity in your board and explain to other board members why doing so should be prioritized. 

Steps:

1. Before you begin, find some articles on state requirements for companies headquartered in their state about diversity and inclusion. Find information on how companies have gone about incorporating diversity into their boards. 
2. Then, try to come up with a plan for your corporate board to diversify its board members. 
   1. How will you convince the other members that increasing diversity in the board is crucial? What will be the main reasons for trying to diversify your board?
   2. How will you make sure that your board becomes more diverse?
   3. How will you modify applications?
   4. How will you approach interviews?
   5. How will you tell members to choose based on credentials and experience while also considering how to increase gender and ethnic diversity?
3. Think through the possible objections about your plan that someone might have. 
4. Share with the group and see if you can convince them that your plan allows your board to increase gender and ethnic diversity effectively. 

Things to Keep in Mind:

• You do not have to come up with an exhaustive list of guidelines for your plan. Focus on a few you are prepared to defend.
• Try to brainstorm specific scenarios and situations that might arise in the process of trying to diversify your board.