109: The Rewards & Challenges of Nonprofit Board Diversity - Part 2

In Part 2 Dabash Negash from NYC Service shares ideas for starting a conversation and setting some goals and practices to help your organization understand and achieve better Board diversity, equity and inclusion. If you missed Episode 108 you can hear her discuss the results and findings from their survey and report on Board diversity in New York City.

In Part 2 Dabash Negash from NYC Service shares ideas for starting a conversation and setting some goals and practices to help your organization understand and achieve better Board diversity, equity and inclusion. If you missed Episode 108 you can hear her discuss the results and findings from their survey and report on Board diversity in New York City.

Guest Bio:

Dabash Negash
Chief of Staff
NYC Service, Office of thecMayor

Dabash Negash is the Chief of Staff at NYC Service, a division of the Office of the Mayor that builds partnerships to deepen and expand civic engagement through volunteer and service programs, creating sustainable change for our city’s greatest needs. Dabash oversees all of capacity building initiatives at NYC Service and recently published a report on Nonprofit Board Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in NYC last Fall, in partnership with Nonprofit New York. Prior to joining the Office of the Mayor, Dabash served as Deputy Director of the Fund for Public Advocacy, supported several political campaigns, and worked in the Obama Administration supporting operations.

Show Notes:

In Part 2 Dabash discusses ways to take action on addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion for Board members.

Dabash encourages everyone to use the data in their report as well as other similar reports like the 2019 Volunteer Management Progress Report. https://volpro.net/volunteer-management-progress-report/

ABCs of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Articulate a common language. Define terms around diversity, equity, and inclusion, including privilege and power, and decision making imbalances. 

Build internal support to create change. Recruit champions, ambassadors, or advocates from the Board to influence the conversation. Communicate the ‘value-add’ of diverse Boards. And disrupt board complacency! Explain why the time to make changes is now.

Create and implement strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and practices. Determine what diversity, equity, and inclusion success look like for your organization? Establish specific and achievable goals so you can be accountable to your organization. Look holistically - not just at recruitment, but evaluate policies and practices that may limit diversity, equity, and inclusion.

To shift diversity, equity, and inclusion from a side priority to a core priority you need to revisit the goals and practices regularly. This isn’t something that just happens - it requires time, effort, and buy-in.

While these conversations can be challenging and difficult your organization will be stronger and better able to serve your community for taking these steps. 

You can find the report and additional action ideas at nyc.gov/nonprofitdei

You can find Dabash on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dabash-negash-51a04882/