How do you create and sustain employee resource groups or affinity networks in your organization?

2 Establish the structure and governance

Once you have a clear purpose, you need to establish the structure and governance of the ERG. This includes deciding on the roles and responsibilities of the leaders, members, and sponsors, the frequency and format of meetings and events, the budget and resources available, and the communication and collaboration channels. You also need to create a charter or a document that outlines the rules, expectations, and guidelines for the ERG. Having a well-defined structure and governance will help you manage your ERG effectively and efficiently, and ensure accountability and transparency.

3 Engage and empower your members

To create a successful ERG, you need to engage and empower your members. You can do this by offering them opportunities to learn, grow, network, and contribute to the group and the organization. You can also provide them with recognition, feedback, and support, and celebrate their achievements and milestones. You can also encourage them to share their ideas, opinions, and experiences, and involve them in decision-making and problem-solving. Engaging and empowering your members will help you build trust, loyalty, and commitment, and foster a sense of belonging and community.

4 Collaborate and communicate with others

Another key factor for sustaining your ERG is to collaborate and communicate with others. You can do this by reaching out to other ERGs, departments, leaders, and external partners, and finding ways to work together on common goals, projects, or events. You can also communicate your purpose, activities, and outcomes to the rest of the organization, and showcase your value and impact. You can also solicit feedback and suggestions from your stakeholders, and address any challenges or issues that arise. Collaborating and communicating with others will help you increase your visibility, influence, and reach, and create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

5 Evaluate and improve your ERG

Finally, you need to evaluate and improve your ERG on a regular basis. You can do this by setting and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure your progress and results against your objectives. You can also conduct surveys, interviews, or other methods to assess the satisfaction, engagement, and retention of your members, sponsors, and allies. You can also identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of your ERG, and implement changes or improvements accordingly. Evaluating and improving your ERG will help you ensure its relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability, and demonstrate its value and impact.