Organizational Ignition

Ensuring Equity & Inclusion Through Technology
2023-02-16 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
We use technology – the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life or, as it is sometimes phrased, to the change and manipulation of the human environment (OED) – to automate our work. Machines and software aid us in making decisions or even making decisions for us. To help us see things and do things that we ourselves cannot do because of lack of time, lack of knowledge, or lack of ability.
But technology is biased. The World Economic Forum article “Research shows AI is often biased. Here’s how to make algorithms work for all of us” states , “Bias represents injustice against a person or a group. A lot of existing human bias can be transferred to machines because technologies are not neutral; they are only as good, or bad, as the people who develop them.” Even worse, bias infects our decisions on what technology to use and how we use technology.
Why? Because all humans are all biased. And who creates and uses technology? Humans. Consciously or subconsciously, our biases lead to discrimination. Discrimination either in the development or use of technology. So, how can we determine how bias impacts our use or development of technology?
Learning Objectives
After this workshop you will be able to:
• Describe how bias impacts the development of technology
• Describe how bias impacts the use of technology
• Describe how to select technology that minimizes bias

Inclusive Leadership
2023-01-19 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
DEI is a proven way to elicit superior performance from teams and individuals. But that performance does not just happen by itself. Even if there is a DEI Plan, that plan needs to be carried out day-to-day by the people in your group. How do you engage everyone equitably so that they perform at their best and your team performs at its highest level? This workshop explores how to ignite your staff to optimal performance using our formula of equitable inclusion of diverse people.
Learning Takeaways
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

provide an equitable, inclusive environment for their team;
facilitate innovative thinking and decision-making;
create win-win situations with each employee.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session participants will understand:

how different cultures, thinking styles, and behavioral preferences impact performance;
the impact of implicit bias on performance and behavior;
different motivational models;
the impact of diversity on decision-making and critical thinking.

Diversity In Institutions & Society @ Gibson's Bookstore January 9, 2023
2023-01-10 18:30 - 19:30 UTC | Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S Main St., Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Diversity is a popular topic these days. But many say that diversity in institutions is difficult to achieve or navigate. Others say diversity is not an issue here in New Hampshire.
Bring your questions about diversity in institutions and society to Gibson‘s Bookstore on January 10, 2023 for a fascinating discussion with James McKim about how New Hampshire and the United States are grappling with the topic based on his book The Diversity Factor: Igniting Superior Organizational Performance.”
View the Gibson’s Event Page

De-Biasing Techniques
2023-01-10 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Are you aware that 100% of people are biased but most do not know it? Research has shown that it is this unconscious implicit bias that causes discrimination and the “isms” that exist in society. This highly interactive workshop will help you understand how to de-bias yourself and show you how to embrace diverse people and ideas.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

fully understand implicit bias
list the different types of biases
list techniques to de-bias yourself.

Measuring DEI: Beyond Simple Counts to Impactful Engagement
2022-12-16 08:30 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
You have made the decision to embark on a DEI initiative. Good. Now how do you know whether or not your effort is successful? Management guru Peter Drucker said that “if you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” That applies to DEI. If you can’t measure DEI in your organization, you can’t improve it. Join us for a discussion of measuring a DEI initiative.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

identify and calculate the metrics that are important in a DEI initiative
gather data about your DEI initiative
analyze the data and draw conclusions from the analysis.

Facilitators: James McKim, PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition
Julie Alig, PhD, Principal, JLA Analytics, LLC

Eliminating Bias from Technology for Developers
2022-12-13 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
December 13 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST
Price: $35.00

As reported in the Forbes article “The Role Of Bias In Artificial Intelligence”, facial recognition systems are under scrutiny. The class imbalance is a leading issue in facial recognition software. A dataset called “Faces in the Wild,” considered the benchmark for testing facial recognition software, had data that was 70% male and 80% white. Although it might be good enough to be used on lower-quality pictures, “in the wild” is a highly debatable topic.
Apart from algorithms and data, researchers and engineers developing any system are also responsible for bias. According to VentureBeat, a Columbia University study found that “the more homogenous the [engineering] team is, the more likely it is that a given prediction error will appear.” This can create a lack of empathy for the people who face problems of discrimination, leading to an unconscious introduction of bias in these algorithmic-savvy systems.
So, how can we eliminate the negative impact of bias in the use or development of our technology?
After this workshop you will be able to:

Minimize if not eliminate the embedding of bias in the development of your technology
Minimize if not eliminate the embedding of bias in the configuration of your technology
Minimize if not eliminate bias in the use of your technology

Sponsored By

Women/Age in the Workplace
2022-12-06 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Research has shown that organizations that truly engage women and people of all ages at all levels outperform those organizations that do not. And despite claims to the contrary, research also shows that truly and equitably engaging women and people of all ages equitably is not happening in the US.
This session explores how organizations can create an environment where women and people of all ages are treated equitably while helping to drive innovation and sustainable performance.

After Hours Networking: A Path to a More Diverse Bar - Hosted by NHWBA and NHBA's Gender Equality Committee
2022-11-30 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
The New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association and the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Gender Equality Committee are hosting their second After Hours Networking Event.

This event will feature a panel discussion moderated by James McKim focused on what steps the bar, needs to take to better reflect the diversity of the varied communities served by the Bar.

Eliminating Bias from Technology for Users
2022-11-29 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
Date: November 29Time:
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST
Cost:$35.00
The use of technology is expanding exponentially. The World Economic Forum reports as shared in the article “TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION: How has technology changed – and changed us – in the past 20 years?” that “In 2004, fewer than 1 million people were on Myspace; Facebook had not even launched. By 2018, Facebook had more 2.26 billion users with other sites also growing to hundreds of millions of users.”
We tend to think that technology is objective, cold, and dispassionate. But it is not! Technology is built by humans. We humans all biased. So, bias is built into how we select and use technology. But how can we minimize the negative impacts of bias in technology?
After this workshop you will be able to:

Minimize if not eliminate bias in the selection of technology
Minimize if not eliminate the selection of biased technology
Minimize if not eliminate bias in the use of technology

3018395555

Sponsored By

DEI For Managers
2022-11-17 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
DEI is a proven way to elicit superior performance from teams and individuals. But that performance does not just happen by itself. Even if there is a DEI Plan, that plan needs to be carried out day-to-day. So, how do you bring diversity into your group? How do you engage everyone equitably so that they perform at their best and your team performs at its highest level? This workshop explores how to embed DEI into your daily work as a manager.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

create a culture for your group to live into DEI
include DEI in the recruitment, hiring, and retention
encourage DEI in your team’s communication, decision-making, and general project management.

Facilitator: James McKim, PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition, LLC

Culture in the Workplace
2022-11-09 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Resmaa Menachem says that culture is the way our bodies re-enact history through the foods we eat, the stories we tell, and the images that move us. This workshop introduces how our different cultures impact our interactions in the workplace.
Facilitator: Trini Tellez, MD, Principal, Health Equity Strategies, LLC

How to Have Difficult Conversations
2022-10-25 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York)

DEI Foundations/Key Concepts
2022-10-06 11:00 (America/New_York)
Are you aware that 100% of people are biased but most do not know it? Would you recognize a microaggression when you see it? Do you understand the impact of microaggressions on your organization? Do you understand whether your workplace environment is welcoming to diverse people? If you answered NO to any of these questions or just want to brush up on the topics, this session is for you? Come participate in an interactive session that takes you through how our biases lead to microaggressions, organizational policies, and culture that is, at best, unwelcoming and at worse, illegal.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session participants will be able to:

understand what unconscious implicit bias is and how it impacts performance
interpret types of microaggressions and their impact to your organization
begin to analyze the “welcomness” of your workplace for diverse employees.

Facilitator: James McKim, PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition, LLC

DEI: From Talk to Action
2022-09-15 08:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
REGISTER NOW: THREE-PART DEI PROGRAM

Building a High-Performance, Inclusive Culture
Thursday, September 15
8 – 11:30 a.m.
Manchester Country Club in Bedford
Tickets $49, includes breakfast buffet

The event will feature a keynote presentation from Christa Kirby covering the connection between emotional intelligence (EI) and successful diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Then, participants will dive into guided table discussions, exploring DEI challenges and successes they’ve encountered in their own workplaces and lives.
The event will culminate in a panel discussion featuring top DEI professionals from NH businesses as well as the DEI consulting world responding to helping illuminate the issues raised in the panel discussion.

This session will build on material covered in prior sessions, allowing past attendees to take their understanding of DEI issues in the workplace to the next level, while remaining accessible to newcomers.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Christa Kirby
VP of Talent Development and Practice Director for Management and Leadership
Corporate Education Group (CEG)
A licensed psychotherapist, Christa integrates her global experience as a mental health professional with her passion for holistically developing leaders and teams.

LOCAL EXPERTS AND PANELISTS

Zaineb Haider
Senior Advisor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Cigna

Javier Barrientos
Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Point32Health

James McKim
President
NAACP, Manchester,
Managing Partner
Organizational Ignition

Rebecca Sanborn, J.D.
President/Founder
Sanborn Diversity

This session will build on material covered in prior sessions, allowing past attendees to take their understanding of DEI issues in the workplace to the next level, while remaining accessible to newcomers.

The Diversity Factor in Institutions & Society
2022-08-04 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Diversity is a popular topic these days. But many say that diversity is difficult to achieve. Others say that diversity is not an issue here in New Hampshire. Who is right? And how do we reconcile these different perspectives?
Bring your questions about diversity and hear James McKim, author of The Diversity Factor: Igniting Superior Organizational Performance (who also serves as Chair of the Episcopal Church Executive Committee Council on Anti-Racism and Reconciliation and President of the Manchester NAACP) lead a fascinating discussion about how New Hampshire and the United States are grappling with diversity in institutions and organizations.
Program:

Remarks about diversity (demographics of NH and the US)
Diversity: good or bad for institutions, organizations, and society
Myths about diversity
Q&A
Book Signing

The event is free.

2022 NH Nonprofit Conference & Expo
2022-05-26 08:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
On Thursday, May 26, James McKim will be speaking on A Board’s Role in Igniting Organizational Performance at the 2022 NH Nonprofit Conference & Expo. To register, visit https://www.nhnonprofits.org/conference

DEI Drop-in Office Hours
2022-05-18 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
Drop-in Hours

Just starting your DEI initiative and don’t know where to begin? Have a question about your DEI initiative for which you can’t seem to find an answer? Want to hear what other DEI practitioners are doing? Join our monthly DEI Drop-in Office Hours.

When: Every 3rd Tuesday at 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) through December 2022.

Registration: Click below to register once to attend any session.

Register

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meetings.

Spread the word. See you there!

James McKim to Keynote May 5th at NH Business Review DEI: From Talk to Action
2022-05-05 08:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Building a High-Performance, Inclusive Culture
James McKim will provide the keynote address at the May 5th DEI: From Talk to Action. The event will be held at the Manchester Country Club, Bedford, NH from 8 AM to 11:30 AM.
To register, visit: https://www.nhbr.com/dei/

James McKim to Speak May 4th at the 2022 NHBSR Spring Conference
2022-05-04 08:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
James McKim will speak at the May 4th NH Businesses for Social Responsibility Conference on Achieving Performance Through Diversity. The event will be held at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH.
To register, visit: https://www.nhbsr.org/2022-spring-conference.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Hackathon
2022-04-07 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Come hack into topics that have been impacting our workplaces! The purpose of this event is to bring those who have a passion and commitment for diversity, equity, and inclusion together and discuss and hack into difficult topics in a respectful and safe setting. The DEI Hackathon is a perfect opportunity for those working on DEI Plans and strategies to come together to have empowering and courageous conversations about the implementation of DEI. It allows for the co-creation of solutions to increase workplace diversity & inclusion. It is perfect for organizations that recognize the value of intentional inclusive culture building and are looking to boost morale and take positive action.
By attending the Hackathon you will gain ideas on how to:

Describe the importance of diversity and inclusion and how it is not just the ‘right’ thing to do but critical for business success.
Change mindsets to build inclusivity into the way people think.
Encourage ownership and participation across the company on this important topic.
Build awareness for different people’s experiences and understanding of the team dynamics or systems that can hinder a sense of belonging or create exclusion.
Get a global view of how people in different organizations feel and what challenges are faced.
Generate ideas for driving positive change and drive inclusive action.
Open up conversations and encourage the development of relationships
Encourage diversity of thought and new ideas
Develop skills around empathy, relationship building & problem-solving.

The topics will be as follows:
DEI Goal Setting & Monitoring
Disability Inclusivity
Cultural Sensitivity
Women in the Workplace
Age in the Workplace
Recruitment and Pipeline Challenges
Bias in the Hiring and Interviewing Process
LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity
White Privilege in the Workplace
Pay Equity
Building Powerful and Influential ERGs
Veterans

Register Now!

Active Bystander Training (DEI Series)
2022-03-24 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
You are minding your own business in a store or on a bus. You see someone bullying a person who looks as if he/she is not capable of handling the situation. What do you do? In a time when people are quick to express anger and more likely to be angry at people “not like them”, many of us are seeking tools to respond effectively to such biased anger.
This highly interactive training will give you tools and insights to use in such situations and a chance to think about how you might use them. We present information, share experiences, and strategize bystander responses to a variety of situations.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session you will:

Understand the roles in situations
Understand what discourages us from acting when we see harm doing
Understand how to move through this resistance to action

Facilitators: James McKim, PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition, LLC
Aron DiBacco, New Communities Organizer, Granite State Organizing Project
Register Now!

People-Centric focus and its Importance in the Workplace
2022-03-15 12:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Aura Huot, host of the Twitter talk space on “People-centric focus and its importance in the Workplace” will be interviewing James McKim about his new book The Diversity Factor: Igniting Superior Organizational Performance on Tuesday, March 15th at Noon.
To tune in visit: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1djGXPvjBdXGZ.

DEI for Managers
2022-03-10 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
DEI is a proven way to elicit superior performance from teams and individuals. But that performance does not just happen by itself. Even if there is a DEI Plan, that plan needs to be carried out day-to-day. So, how do you bring diversity into your group? How do you engage everyone equitably so that they perform at their best and your team performs at its highest level? This workshop explores how to embed DEI into your daily work as a manager.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

create a culture for your group to live into DEI
include DEI in the recruitment, hiring, and retention
encourage DEI in your team’s communication, decision-making, and general project management.

Facilitator: James McKim, PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition, LLC

Register Now!

Age in the Workplace
2022-02-24 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
There are a record 5 generations in the workforce. Yet our society and employers seem to value only the younger ones. Research has shown that youth focus to be short-sighted when it comes to achieving superior organizational performance.
This workshop describes how organizations can innovate and beat the competition by engaging all generations.

Register Now!

Women in the Workplace
2022-02-10 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Research has shown that organizations that truly engage women at all levels outperform those organizations that do not. And despite claims to the contrary, research also shows that truly and equitably engaging women equitably is not happening in the US.
This session explores how organizations can create an environment where women are treated equitably while helping to drive innovation and sustainable performance.

Register Now!

Culture in the Workplace
2022-01-27 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Resmaa Menachem says that culture is the way our bodies re-enact history through the foods we eat, the stories we tell, and the images that move us. This workshop introduces how our different cultures impact our interactions in the workplace.
Facilitator: Trini Tellez, MD, Principal, Health Equity Strategies, LLC

Register Now!

De-Biasing Techniques
2021-12-16 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Are you aware that 100% of people are biased but most do not know it? Research has shown that it is this unconscious implicit bias that causes discrimination and the “isms” that exist in society. This highly interactive workshop will help you understand how to de-bias yourself and show you how to embrace diverse people and ideas.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

fully understand implicit bias
list the different types of biases
list techniques to de-bias yourself.

Facilitator: James McKim, PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition

Register Now!

Achieving Organizational Performance Through DEI
2021-11-18 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Senior Management has decided they want to pursue diversity for the good the organization and its customers/clients. You have been tasked with leading or playing a major role in carrying out this decision. But how do you do this? Whether you are Senior management or middle-management – in HR or Business Unit/Department Leadership, this session will help you understand how to set yourself up for a successful diversity, equity, & inclusion push. It will review what we call the 5 magic D&I Implementation Guideposts.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

link your DEI initiative to organizational performance
create a roadmap for your DEI initiative
set the proper expectations for a DEI initiative
create welcoming, inclusive spaces and a higher-performing organization.

Facilitator: James McKim, PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition

Register Now!

How to Have Difficult Conversations
2021-11-04 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Want to engage on the topic of diversity but afraid you’ll stumble and offend? Want to challenge discrimination but don’t know how? This workshop will help you gain an understanding of the reasons conversations can be difficult and learn tools to make them more productive.
At the end of this workshop you will understand:

Conversational Norms
Conversation Basics
Skills/Barriers to Productive Conversations
Guidelines/Possible Responses to Address Offensive or Tricky Comments

Facilitator: James McKim, PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition, LLC
Register Now!

Key Concepts in DEI
2021-10-21 11:00 (America/New_York)
Are you aware that 100% of people are biased but most do not know it? Would you recognize a microaggression when you see it? Do you understand the impact of microaggressions on your organization? Do you understand whether your workplace environment is welcoming to diverse people? If you answered NO to any of these questions or just want to brush up on the topics, this session is for you? Come participate in an interactive session that takes you through how our biases lead to microaggressions, organizational policies, and culture that is, at best, unwelcoming and at worse, illegal.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session participants will be able to:

understand what unconscious implicit bias is and how it impacts performance
interpret types of microaggressions and their impact to your organization
begin to analyze the “welcomness” of your workplace for diverse employees.

Facilitator: James McKim, PMP, ITIL, Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition, LLC

Register Now!
