1. Application Overview
Application FAQs
Please read the Application FAQs prior to starting the Application.
Award Purpose
The ERG & Council Honors Award™ is the premiere annual national award that recognizes, honors and celebrates the outstanding contributions and achievements of Employee Resource Groups and Diversity Councils. These groups lead the diversity and inclusion process within their organizations and demonstrate results in their workforce, workplace and marketplace.
Recipients of the award set the standards of excellence for ERGs and Diversity Councils in the U.S. The TOP 25 award recipients will receive their awards at the annual ERG & Council Honors Award™ Dinner & Ceremony during the 2015 ERG & Council Conference in Washington D.C. on October 14th.
Visit 2014 Honors Award™ to view photos and read about the event.
Award Background
In its seventh year, the ERG & Council Honors Award™ was established in 2008 by the Association of ERGs & Councils, a practice group of D &I consulting and training firm PRISM International, Inc. Linda Stokes, President & CEO of PRISM stated,"Our firm assisted many organizations with their diversity and inclusion initiatives. We recognized the important contributions and impact that ERGs and Diversity Councils had on their organizations; yet, for all their great efforts there was little national recognition. We wanted that to change."
PRISM created a specialized practice the Association of ERGs & Councils – to be the premier resource for ERG and Diversity Council professionals.
"Our intent is to enable ERGs and Diversity Councils to use this application as a way to learn what they are doing well and how they can continue to improve their impact.", said Philip Berry, Executive Director of the Association of ERGs & Councils.
Award Application Process
l The application process opens February 17, 2015 and closes June 26th 9pm EDT.
l The application is free and open to all U.S. ERGs and Diversity Councils in operation for at least two (2) years.
l Applications from multiple ERGs or Diversity Councils within one organization are permitted.
l A Diversity Council may submit one application representing multiple Diversity Councils or ERGs that operate under or report to it and that have been in operation for at least 2 years. Each Council and ERG involved will need to be identified.
l Membership with the Association of ERGs & Councils is not required.
2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
2. Application Overview & Acceptance
Award Application Process (Continued)
l ERGs and Diversity Councils complete and submit an online application of 66 questions that evaluates their impact on their organization over the past 12 months (2014). Award applicants are evaluated on contributions and achievements in these four categories:
1. Demonstrated Results
2. Demonstrated Management Commitment
3. Measurement and Accountability
4. Communication and Education
l After the June 26th application closing date, all received applications are downloaded, processed and scored using established algorithms that ensure statistical consistency and accuracy.
l The TOP 25 award recipients will be notified within four weeks of the closing date. All other applicants will be notified shortly thereafter.
l Every applicant will receive their results in their complimentary 2015 ERG & Council Honors Award™ Application Summary Report. This report provides applicants with feedback and information that will enhance their
performance and increase their value to the organization they serve. These reports are provided to each application
contact shortly after the October Honors Award ceremony.
*1. Application Acceptance
If you would like to apply for the 2015 ERG & Council Honors Award™ please start the application now by clicking both the "Continue" and "Next" buttons below.
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2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
3. Award Eligibility Criteria & Acceptance
To be eligible to apply for the 2015 ERG & Council Honors Award™, your ERG/Diversity Council must meet and agree to the following requirements:
1. Your Group (ERG/Diversity Council) has been in operation for at least two (2) years.
2. Your Application's responses will truthfully and accurately reflect the work of your Group over the last 12 months.
3. You agree to provide proof to support any or all Application responses if asked.
4. You agree that either the Executive Sponsor, the Chief Diversity Officer, the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) will review the responses of your Application, approve and certify that your Application truthfully and accurately reflects the work of your Group over the last 12 months.
*2. Award Eligibility Acceptance
If you meet and agree to these requirements, please click both the "Continue" and "Next" buttons below to proceed; otherwise, please exit the application now.
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2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
4. Application Questionnaire Outline & What's New in 2015
The 2015 ERG & Council Honors Award™ Application consists of 66 questions. The Application is outlined below:
1. Application Overview
2. Application Overview & Acceptance
3. Award Eligibility Criteria & Acceptance
4. Application Questionnaire Outline & What's New in 2015
5. Application Submission Procedures: 13 Success Tips
6. Application Submission Procedures: 8 Application Traps to Avoid
7. Group Profile
8. Focus Area 1 Demonstrated Results Sub measure 1 Organizational Impact
9. Focus Area 1 Demonstrated Results Sub measure 2 Talent Management
10. Focus Area 1 Demonstrated Results Sub measure 3 Culture of Inclusion
11. Focus Area 2 – Demonstrated Management Commitment Sub measure 1 – Senior Leadership
12. Focus Area 2 Demonstrated Management Commitment Sub measure 2 – Middle Managers
13. Focus Area 3 Measurement and Accountability Sub measure 1 Measurement
14. Focus Area 3 Measurement and Accountability Sub measure 2 Accountability
15. Focus Area 4 Communication and Education Sub measure 1 Communication
16. Focus Area 4 Communication and Education Sub measure 2A Education Workforce Education
17. Focus Area 4 Communication and Education Sub measure 2B Education – Member Education
18. The Last 2 Questions
19. Authorized Contact
20. Permission Affidavit Acceptance
21. Application Submission Acceptance
What's new with the 2015 Application?
1. Fewer Questions 66 questions compared to last year's 76
2. Deeper dive into the Group's use of Social Media
3. Greater emphasis on ERG/Council Innovation and Impact More focus and emphasis on the innovation of your ERG/Diversity Council and the impact that it made upon the organization it serves.
2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
5. Application Submission Procedures: 13 Success Tips
These "13 Success Tips" will assist you in a smoother and more successful application process:
1. Don't delay in completing and submitting your Application. The process opens February 17th and closes June 26th.at 9pm ET. In fairness to all applicants, no extensions can be granted and no late applications will be accepted.
2. Review and research responses by first downloading and printing either the PDF version of the Honors Award™ Application PDF or the WORD version of the Honors Award™ Application WORD.
3. Application entry is short (66 questions) but it will take time to collect information and form it into impactful responses. Retrieve all information prior to answering the online application.
4. Read each question carefully paying close attention to the words that are bold and italicized.
5. Application responses to essay questions should not exceed 50 words. Additional text will be disregarded. Type responses for essay questions into a Word document or notepad then copy and paste it into the essay boxes. Page responses are saved on the Application page only after selecting "Next" or "Previous".
6. Please do not mail or email additional information about your ERG/Council. Only the information provided within the Application will be evaluated.
7. The Application uses "cookies" (see #14 in the Application FAQs for explanation); therefore, the same computer and browser must be used to complete the Application.
8. Because the Application uses "cookies", do not clear your browser data and delete cookies. If you do this, you will lose all the information you entered into your Application and you will have to start over.
9. You can start and stop work on your Application at any time with your work saved and resume later by performing the following:
1. You must be on the same computer and browser that started the Application.
2. Link to your incomplete Application using one of the following:
1. Click on Resume Honors Award Application
2. Go to the Honors Award Application and select the "Begin/Resume Application Process" button.
10. Please add "@PrismDiversity.com" and "@ERGCouncil.com" to your email acceptance lists so that you will receive application and conference relevant email notifications.
11. A PDF version of your completed Application can be emailed to you one it has been submitted. Request your copy by emailing Application Questions and requesting your copy. Please note that you will receive your completed Application in your complimentary 2015 Application Summary Report in October.
12. Please review and reference the Application FAQs at Application FAQs.
13. For any questions not covered in the FAQs, email to Application Questions.
2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
6. Application Submission Procedures: 8 Application Traps to Avoid
Here are "8 Application Traps to Avoid:"
1. Not carefully reading and understanding each question
2. Not limiting essay responses to a maximum of 50 words
3. Not quantifying and qualifying essay responses when asked
4. Not providing responses that reflect the direct work of the Group over the past 12 months
5. Not providing each question with a unique response
6. Not ensuring that the response is applicable and appropriate for the question it addresses
7. Failure to support claims made in responses with the appropriate facts and numbers
8. Failure to describe the Group's impact upon the organization it serves
By utilizing the "13 Tips for Success" and avoiding the "8 Application Traps" you should have a smoother and more productive application process.
Good Luck in completing your 2015 ERG & Council Honors Award™ application!
2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
7. Group Profile
The Group Profile section is designed to collect information about your ERG/Diversity Council for the purpose of understanding its structure and operations. While this section is not directly scored it is factored into the Group's overall score.
Please read each item carefully and select the response that most closely describes your ERG or Diversity Council.
*3. How did you learn about the 2015 ERG & Council Honors Award™?
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*4. ERG/Diversity Council Name
*5. Organization Name
6. Business Unit (if applicable)
7. Division (if applicable)
8. Organization Primary Industry (Choose one)
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Other (please specify)
*9. Name and Contact Information of the Person Completing the Application
Name: Organization: Address: Address 2: City/Town:
State:6
ZIP:
Email Address: Phone Number:
2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
*10. Title of the Person Completing the Application
*11. Name and Contact Information of the Chief Diversity Officer or equivalent
Name:
Organization:
Address:
Address 2:
City/Town:
State:6
ZIP:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
*12. Official Title of the Chief Diversity Officer or equivalent
*13. Name and Mailing Address of the Chief Executive Officer or equivalent
Name:
Organization:
Address:
Address 2:
City/Town:
State:6
ZIP:
*14. Official Title of the Chief Executive Officer or equivalent
*15. Name and Mailing Address of the Media/Press Relations Contact or equivalent
Name:
Organization:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
*16. Your Group is best described as:
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Employee Resource Group
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Diversity Council
Other (please specify)
*17. Think about your Group's scope, mission and structure. Using as many words as needed, provide a brief summary. If you are a Diversity Council submitting one application representing multiple Diversity Councils or ERGs that operate or report to it and that has been in operation for at least 2 years, then identify each Council and ERG involved.
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*18. How long has your Group existed in your organization?
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24 yrs
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46yrs
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610yrs
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10 or more yrs
*19. How many members serve in your Group?
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125
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2649
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5074
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7599
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100 or more
2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
*20. How many employees are in the organization, division, or department served by your Group?
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Less than 1,000
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1,001 2,999
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3,00010,000
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10,00130,000
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30,00150,000
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Over 50,000
*21. Your Group primarily reports to:
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Board of Directors/Board of Trustees
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Business or Business Unit Council
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CEO/President/Commander/Superintendent/Mayor
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CDO/VP Diversity
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Corporate Diversity Council
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Exec. Diversity Council
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Exec. Leadership Team
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Exec. Sponsor
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Exec. Vice President
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General Counsel
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Human Resources
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Legal
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Regional Diversity Council
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Training
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Other
Other (please specify)
2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
*22. Your Group membership is primarily comprised of:
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Senior Leaders and Executives
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Directors and Managers
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Both Senior Leaders and Executives & Directors and Managers
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Employees from all levels
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Employees and Managers from all levels
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Employees and Managers from all levels and Union
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Other
Other (please specify)
*23. Over the past 12 months, what was your Group's operating budget? (e.g. a
$25,000 budget would be entered as 25000). If no budget, enter "0".
*24. Over the past 12 months, your Group's main source of funding was best described as:
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Funded through submitted and approved Group budget
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Funded through HR budget
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Funded through Diversity budget
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Mixed Sources
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Not Funded
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Upon Request
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Other
Other (please specify)
2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
*25. Over the past 12 months, to what extent did your Group's funding meet your Group's needs?
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We don't have any funding
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Never
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Rarely
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Sometimes
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Often
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Always
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Exceeded
2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application8. Focus Area 1 Demonstrated Results Sub measure 1 Organizational Impact
*26. Over the past 12 months, what new initiatives did your Group implement that impacted the operational goals of your organization?
Don't
YesNo
Know
Executed new actions that opened new markets/constituency/clients or expanded existing markets/constituency/clients nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj
Executed new actions that reduced costsmlkj mlkj mlkj
Executed new actions that increased productivitynmlkj nmlkj nmlkj
Executed new actions that increased innovationmlkj mlkj mlkj
Executed new actions that improved qualitynmlkj nmlkj nmlkj
Executed new actions that impacted revenuemlkj mlkj mlkj
Executed new actions that increased safety/securitynmlkj nmlkj nmlkj
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27. Think about your responses to the previous question. Select your best new initiative that best reflects your Group's largest impact on the operational goals of your organization and summarize that IMPACT in 50 words or less. If you do not have one, go to Question 30.
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28. Think about your responses to the previous question. Select your second best new initiative that bests reflects your Group's largest impact on the operational goals of your organization and summarize that IMPACT in 50 words or less. If you do not have one, go to Question 30.
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2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application
29. Think about your responses to the previous question. Select your third best new initiative that best reflects your Group's largest impact on the operational goals of your organization and summarize that IMPACT in 50 words or less. If you do not have one, go to Question 30.
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2015 ERG and Council Honors Award Application9. Focus Area 1 Demonstrated Results Sub measure 2 Talent Management
*30. Over the past 12 months, what new initiatives did your Group implement that impacted talent management?
Don't
YesNo
Know
Recommended new actions that impacted retention of women in identified key areasnmlkj nmlkj nmlkj
Recommended new actions that impacted retention of people of color in identified key areasmlkj mlkj mlkj
Recommended new actions that impacted retention of other dimensions of diversity in identified key areas (e.g.nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj
veterans, people with disabilities, generational, sexual orientation, etc.)
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areas (e.g. veterans, people with disabilities, generational, sexual orientation, etc.)
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Recommended new actions that impacted attracting dimensions of diversity in identified key areas (e.g. veterans,nmlkj nmlkj nmlkj
people with disabilities, generational, sexual orientation, people who speak various languages)
31. Think about your responses to the previous question. Select your best new initiative that best reflects your Group's largest impact on talent management and summarize that IMPACT in 50 words or less. If you do not have one, go to Question 34.
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32. Think about your responses to the previous question. Select your second best new initiative that best reflects your Group's largest impact on talent management and summarize that IMPACT in 50 words or less. If you do not have one, go to Question 34.
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