PPB October 2021

focused on the goal. These responsibilities are not taken lightly and encourage each committee member to be their best self while promoting diversity, equity and inclusion specifically in the workplace. As a part of the DEI Committee, members must seek to inspire change in their own work life/businesses and provide DEI leadership within the promotional products industry in Canada. The DEI Committee is also responsible for planning activities to advance the committee’s purpose. These activities include, but are not limited to: • Content strategy and content production for PPPC Weekly newsletter • Organizing educational sessions • Maintenance and evolution of the DEI webpage Guiding Principles The DEI Committee was developed by truly passionate and compassionate volunteers. Their role is not only to lead by example, but to teach the how and why of diversity, equity and inclusion. The guiding principles were written to help our committee members and to remind them what they are doing and why. Some of the principles include: • Try to have authentic conversations about sensitive topics. • Present content in a way that is easy for people to digest. • A diverse workplace means diverse ways of thinking. • Everyone’s experiences will be different. The Future Of DEI The DEI Committee hopes that, by using these guidelines as constant reminders, PPPC members and their organizations will learn from and build upon the teachings and goals of the committee. They also hope that their lessons will, in time, not only come naturally to employees and colleagues in the workplace but become a regular part of everyday life. Amore inclusive and equal world is a better world. Learn more about PPPC’s DEI Committee, its guiding principles and its vision at pppc.ca/ our-association/ diversity-equity-inclusion. If you are interested in joining PPPC’s DEI Committee, email Sophie Brandt-Murenzi at Sophie@pppc.ca. We’d love to have you! Victoria Peers is communications specialist at Promotional Product Professionals of Canada. INCLUSION Thoughts, ideas and perspectives of all individuals matter EQUITY Constantly and consistently recognizing and redistributing power DIVERSITY Multiple identities represented in an organization BELONGING An org that engages full potential of the individual, where innovation thrives and views, beliefs and values are integrated Over saturation of similarity, homogeneous culture and simplified points of view The dominant group or ideology is deferred to for decision making, opportunities and promotions Culture assimilation results in disengagement and low retention | OCTOBER 2021 | 79 CONNECT