The Value of LGBT Networks within OrganisationsLGBT Professional Network Forum

15 April 2011Vienna

Marion Muldermarion@companyprideplatform.org

Introduction

• I - How I make LGBT workplace pride my business

• We - How we (CPP) make it our business• What we do (vision & mission)• How we got where we are (History)• How we fit it (other orgs)• Activities• Our future goals

• You - Why I believe you should make it your business

• Conclusion & recommendation

How I make it my Business

• Out at work since late 90ies

• Co-founder ING Gala in 2004

• Currently Global Chair Gala network

• Co-founder (2007) & board member CPP

• Driver behind Lesbian Empowerment in Business (LesBizz)

• Featured in Zij aan Zij magazine

• I manage the twitter accounts and LinkedIn groups for CPP and Lesbizz

And yes I have a day-job too

4

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Launch ING Gala

•ING comes out at Amsterdam

Gay pride

•Outgames Montreal

•100% CEI score US

•Company Fleet

•1st Conferenceat ING House

•launchof CPP Foundation

(Gala founding member)

•Company Fleet

•Minister OCW announces

Gay-Straight Allianceat CPP Conference

•ING main sponsor Amsterdam Pride

•Company Fleet

•Heemskerk EZ announces research at

CPP Conference

•IGLCC Index

•Gala Member Survey

Social events such as

Sail Amsterdam

•Company Fleet

•Board Member sponsor

• focus on Community Building,

Education and Awareness,Professional Development

and Networking •New Poster campaign

Gala at ING

•Company Fleet

•Align with new organisations

•Our EB member to speak at CPP

conference

•….

Exposure: Amsterdam Gay Pride

• ING among the first Corporate Boats to participate in Gay Pride parade since 2006, setting the tone for many to follow.

Gay Pride Amsterdam: • Gay Pride in Amsterdam is one of the best in

the world: a unique floating canal parade through the famous Amsterdam canals 82 boats

• Over 500.000 spectators! • Since 2010 also extensive coverage on

national TV

• Positive live media coverage on AT5 (Amsterdam’s local TV network) where commentator applauded ING participants and trainer during live TV program and Commentator also mentioned that he is proud of his bank, ING (mortgage)

5

Exposure: Conferences

• Senior mgmt. represents ING at Outgames International LGBT Human Rights Conference, Montreal 2006

• Company Pride Conferences (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)

• Outgames LGBT Human Rights Conference Copenhagen 2009

• EGMA & Europride Conferences Zurich 2007, 2009

• Out & Equal USA• Rainbow Awards at ING Brussels 2009• CPP New Years reception 2010

How we (CPP) make it our business

The Company Pride Platform (CPP) is a non-profit foundation consisting of 17* LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender)

employee networks in companies and organizations. The CPP aims to stimulate the formation of new LGBT networks in the working

environment and make them more effective by offering a platform to share knowledge and best practices

CPP Vision & Mission

Our Vision: Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders (LGBT) are fully

visible, accepted and valued in the workplace and in society,

leading the way for others

Our Mission:To Advance the CPP vision through:• Stimulating the creation of new LGBT employee networks• Connecting, empowering, and representing LGBT employee networks• Increasing awareness for issues specific to LGBT employees• Ensuring constant progress with these issues• Setting the standard for LGBT corporate research and policy formation• Serving as a centre of knowledge for LGBT workplace issues• Ensuring that LGBT issues are included in corporate diversity and inclusion policies and

practices• Stimulating the exchange of corporate best practices for LGBT issues

CPP Activities

• Connecting Networks Event• Conferences featuring Dutch, European & International political and business figures

• Fostering research focusing on LGBT workplace issues

• Projects with Dutch governmental agencies • Offering advice to businesses on LGBT workplace issues

• Working with Partner organizations domestically & internationally

• Monthly networking in 3 major cities• Active communities on LinkedIn and Facebook• Participation in Amsterdam Pride

Taskforces

• Finance & Accounting / Annual Report•  Connecting Networks Event• CPP Canal Parade Boat• Communications, Media & Public Education• Lesbian Empowerment• Transgender issues• Social Events• CPP/FNV OCW Project• Research & Knowledge• LGBT International Business Conference

All run by volunteers

Make it your business advantage

Making LGBTs more visible

• As HRM allies

• To each other (network)

• As consumer group

LGBT networking

• A diverse group of people with an instant binding factor of recognition: their sexual orientation & gender identity

• Helping each other in business

• Making new friends internationally

• 6 degrees of separation – the strengths of weak ties

• Very active online

Corporate networks natural allies HRM

A study 2009 by Lin McDevitt-Pugh among CPP partners found that corporate LGBT networks contribute in five ways to HR strategies:

1) Corporate LGBT networks contribute to finding the right people for the company

2) LGBT networks help utilize employees 3) LGBT networks build social capital 4) LGBT networks create economic and reliable business resources5) LGBT networks link and leverage knowledge within the company.

It also found that both networks and HR believed that more mileage could be gained from the networks if

• The networks are used more in recruitment strategies • The networks more purposefully act to build bridges • The networks are used in leadership development

What can you do

• Often when LGBTs are not visible in organisations, this might lead to the conclusion that “there are none”, “there is no problem” or “it’s not an issue in our organisation”.

• Check why employees are not visible/ not out (possible indication of intolerant or unsafe climate?)

• Check if your company has a Diversity & Inclusion Policy and if this includes LGBT

• Appoint and promote a contact person within your organisation• Check if an LGBT network already exists in your organisation, and if not,

start one• Empower your LGBT network• Look for and promote role models, or be one yourself• Dare to be out and bring your whole self to work• Join a network

You make the difference

It’s you who make the community

You make the difference!