Contest Goal:
To highlight companies making a true impact in the IDEA space. Committing to action and taking one step together is how true change takes place.
IDEA Purpose:
At LWHRA the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee provide members with tools, knowledge, and the ability to help their organizations promote the values and practices of a diverse and inclusive workplace. We have come together to introduce the Business Case Contest where businesses must commit to making Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) to Action a part of their strategic plans. IDEA should treat equity as a 'need to have', not a 'nice to have', recognizing the social and economic benefits that flow from workplace parity–something that is a part of every decision a company makes.
Contest Overview:
You Should Apply If:
Your business is in Washington
You’re doing something interesting in the DEI space
You want to win recognition and support for your work in the DEI space.
Why You Should Apply:
$1000 to each category winner!
Recognition at the LWHRA Symposium (that’s exposure to over 5500 HR professionals all at once)
Participate in a panel discussion sharing best practices and inspire others to improve their workplace.
Your Submission Categories:
Company size under 100 employees
Company size 101- 500 employees
Company size 501+
What you’ll need to apply:
A quick, 300 words or less essay (details below)
A 1 min max video (nothing fancy - grab your cell phone, show, and tell)
Easiest Essay You’ve Ever Written:
Summary: Tell us about your business. Also, what are you doing to affect DEI and how does it align to your existing workplace initiatives?
Inspiration: What inspired you and what’s your strategy?
Progress: What have you done so far and what’s coming next?
Challenges: What challenges have you encountered and how did you overcome them?
Results: What have you achieved already? How will you know when you’ve achieved success? Why should you win?
IDEA to Action Fall 2022 Contest
Companies with implemented IDEA programs can participate.
Submissions Open From: Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Final Submissions Due: Sunday, July 31, 2022
Judging Period: Monday, August 1, 2022- Thursday, August 11, 2022
Winners Announced: Tuesday, September 13, 2022
IDEA to Action Partnership Opportunities:
CHAMPION $3,000
Exclusive Opportunity - Only 1 available
Participation and recognition during Symposium Awards Presentation
3-5 minute commercial at Symposium Awards Presentation
Logo representation at the IDEA to Action Awards Presentation at Symposium
Featured in any IDEA to Action marketing promotional material
Linked logo included in all LWHRA bi-weekly newsletters
Listing on the IDEA's LWHRA webpage
Access to LWHRA Logo for partnership promotion (upon request) as an IDEA sponsor
ADVOCATE $1,500
Recognition from emcee during the awards presentation
Logo representation at the IDEA awards presentation + video reel
Featured in any IDEA marketing promotional material
Linked logo included in all LWHRA weekly newsletters
Listing on the IDEA's LWHRA webpage
Access to LWHRA logo for partnership promotion (upon request) as an IDEA sponsor
SUPPORTER $500
Logo representation at IDEA Awards presentation + video reel
Featured in any IDEA marketing promotional material
Linked logo included in all LWHRA weekly newsletters
Listing on the IDEA LWHRA webpage
Access to LWHRA logo for partnership promotion (upon request) as an IDEA sponsor
2022 IDEA to Action Sponsored by:
Questions: office@lwhra.org
2021 IDEA to Action Award Winners:
Both companies have shown an extreme commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity + Access.
Lions + Tigers is a Marketing and Operations Consulting Company that took the time internally to come to a place of honesty within themselves and outline what they thought they needed to change in their organization. They looked for a partner to come alongside their DEI journey and ultimately teamed up with MyKimisms, LLC. who also believes in the IDEA equation: Inclusion = Diversity + Equity + Accessibility to build culture from the inside out. Kim "Kimfer" Flanery-Rye helped Lions + Tigers with recommendations on supporting their internal community, the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community, and on becoming an anti-racist organization.
We have received a detailed description of an impressive IDEA framework that included but was not limited to, audits of the brand’s mission, vision, values. The company proved to have delivered on clear KPIs when the 2021 annual DEI team survey showed an over 20% increase in respondents seeing their direct manager as strongly supporting DEI as a core value.
Evia is a virtual event platform working to enhance events and create online experiences that closely mimic the excitement of physical meetings. Evia’s “IDEA” was to achieve certification for intersectional equity by Gender Equity Now (GEN).
Working with Sara Sanford, Evia was able to perform specific GEN-prescribed action steps based on cutting-edge research and insights into what the diverse employees need in order to experience true equity in their workplace. The GEN Certification defined Evia’s strategy, KPIs, and content of framework, allowing the company to focus on the unique characteristics of the workplace and the office culture.
Evia’s strategy of getting GEN-certified was an exemplary embodiment of “IDEA to Action.”
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