Join us February 6-10 for our second annual Inclusion Week! Last year we wanted to INCLUDE YOU |This year we want you to BE YOU

The Chartwells Diversity & Inclusion Action Council will host the second annual Chartwells Associate Inclusion Week, a week dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace environment. This year’s theme, “Be You”, encourages associates to take personal responsibility and ownership, recognizing our individual abilities to create positive change.

Last year’s Inclusion Week celebration laid the foundation, providing a better understanding of the benefits of a diverse and inclusive culture. Our goal this year is to educate our clients, customers and associates on the ease of acting inclusively. Understanding, kindness, unity and appreciation are characteristics of inclusion that can be easily implemented each day. Together they also create an environment that allows for innovation.

During this week long celebration, each day will center on a new aspect of an inclusive culture. Be Understanding Be Encouraging Be Kind Unified Be Innovative

Be Understanding Understanding is a key element of inclusion. First, it is important that we understand what diversity and inclusion is and why it matters. Secondly, we must seek to understand one another’s unique backgrounds and perspectives. Lastly, in order to cultivate an inclusive workplace, we must demonstrate our understanding by showing empathy and seeking to help others. Be Encouraging Encouragement shows someone that you believe in their abilities as well as their potential. By making it a point to encourage others in many different ways, we enable them to more fully reach their potential; imagine someone is driving down a highway to reach their potential… encouragement helps them get there faster.

Be Kind Being kind to yourself, and those around you is important part of being inclusive. We are all human and taking a moment to Be Kind to one another, and dedicating a day to recognize it, will help create an environment of caring. “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy practice compassion.” -Dalai Lama Be Unified Unity is key to inclusion and is the glue that sticks teams together, not only increasing morale in the workplace but productivity and collaborated innovation too. We can celebrate Unity by participating in community events and activities as well as by celebrating teamwork with associates. We can contribute time, energy and financial resources to help build stronger, healthier communities and teams.

Be Innovative To provide our customers and associates the opportunity and platform for fostering innovation which drives creativity, broader thinking, growth and better business results.

Don’t forget to share how you’re celebrating the week on Yammer! Review the materials on the DIAC-Inclusion Page for each day for recommendations on celebrating inclusion in your location. Don’t forget to share how you’re celebrating the week on Yammer!