Since the creation of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) Committee, we have been steadily working on the means to bring awareness of the committee as well as begin the research we needed to develop plans for recommendations to the IES Board of Directors. We developed a survey for release to the membership to provide us with information that the Society had never obtained. This included candid assessments of the diverse make up of the Society, the opinions regarding personal comfort in IES events, and exposure to DEI in the workplace. We received a 10% return on the survey and are using that information for developing programs and ideas for the Board to consider.
During the IES Conference, we held a series of awareness videos where we discussed the committee’s charter and some thoughts of where we will be going from here. The committee has a representative on the search committee for the new Executive Director and have worked to put in DEI language into the parameters for the new Executive Director.
The committee has identified existing programs within the Society that could benefit from DEI recommendations. They include (but are not limited to) the education and awards programs.
One of the unexpected things that came up this year was that we have become an inspiration/leader of a DEIR program within the greater lighting community. We have been contacted by groups within W.I.L.D, the IALD/LIRC, and others regarding our thoughts for where DEI principles and actions could be considered and implemented within the lighting industry. Though this is technically not within the charter of this committee, we are happy to act as liaisons to these groups. This may become something that we consider expanding this role given the reception of DEI principles in the industry.
Most recently, we are looking at working with the Society to continue recognizing holidays and days of recognition for more diverse groups. We are working with IES to provide translation tools and means for members with disabilities to better interact with the society website. We have been asked to develop a working checklist of recommendations for all IES committees to use going forward to recognize opportunities for furthering DEI involvement. This is especially important as the IES Strategic plans includes further international growth and recognition. We realize that this committee must grow to allow us to move forward exploring these opportunities and develop recommendations for the Society. We have begun the process of bringing on an independent DEI consultant to help us navigate the waters around this subject and how it can beneficially be integrated into a technical society such as IES.
This has been an overall encouraging year for this committee. We cannot express the appreciation we have for the backing of the IES Board and staff. We are fully cognizant of the trepidation of this addition to the society, but knowing that the Board understands the positive effects that it can have, now and in the future, things are promising indeed.
