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William Henke |
Diversity within an Organization
Yesterday, as I participated in the 2006 Wetlands Summit, which our organization helped sponsor, I was impressed by the number of diverse groups represented. I was equally impressed by the free flow of thought and the multitude of opinions that were offered. More importantly, I was awed for the most part by the civility exhibited, as well as the ability of the group to attain good consensus.
The need for diversity within an organization, whether it be in terms of thinking, gender or race, is a topic that I think is wise for us to periodically revisit. This eighty plus year old organization whose mission it is "to conserve, maintain, protect and restore the soil, forest, water and other natural resources of the United States ...., has used a democratic, grass roots methodology to forge its policy. Inherent in this methodology is divergence of thinking which certainly can engender debate, discord and a multitude of disagreements. Assuming that mutual respect and benevolence towards the good of the organization are strong, the ultimate result is the forging of good policy and the maintenance of strong relationships individually and collectively. There have been and will continue to be topics that polarize the group significantly. It would be my hope that these topics simply strengthen our convictions and increase our resolve as the commonsense, grass roots, effective organization we've become known as reputation-wise.
In upcoming weeks, including at the Annual Meeting in New Ulm, the group will be asked to provide guidelines for sustainability of the organization itself, as well as sustainability of our society and environment. This most certainly will provoke much diversity of thought. Nonetheless, it should provide for good debate, a comprehensive review of existing policies and the creation of a roadmap that will blend Chapter and Division activities on this bellweather subject for the forseeable future.
The League both nationally and on a statewide basis has a history of embracing to a certain extent the accomplishments of women. An edition of Outdoor America in the recent past catalogued some of those accomplishments. I have had the pleasure of working alongside the likes of Char Brooker, Ruth Saari, Lee Barthel, Jill Crafton and Noreen Tyler. I have seen firsthand the handiwork and accomplishments of Julie Henricksson in the Waltonian and the organizational skills of our vice-president Cherry Schwartz. I acknowledge the work of many other women within the organization. Nonetheless, I would challenge us all to mentor and nurture the development of women leaders throughout the League.
In my estimation, the League has fallen short in terms of racial diversification. Our nation and state have been built on the backs of immigrants who have settled here throughout history. Conservation policy, land and water ethics and the broader concept of sustainability will need to account for the "melting-pot" of diverse backgrounds, to effectively progress forward in the future. Are we ready on a national, state, and local level to broaden the diversity of participation, and learn from as well as educate across this broad spectrum of sociocultural backgrounds? New membership and bold new ways of thinking might result!
It is the intent of this letter to stir ongoing thought and discussion within our organization concerning the broad issue of diversification. Some would see this as a threat to business as usual, others a way to inject new growth and vitality. Where are you individually in the scheme of things?
Respectfully submitted by,
Bill Henke, Minnesota Division President