Leadership Connect Releases Plans For Inclusivity Task Force
Members of Leadership Connect of West Central Indiana, a branch of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, released information about plans to create a task force based on inclusion and engagement in the community.
During the organization’s Quarter 2 workshop, co-chair Jared Ell spoke on behalf of the board about goals for a task force to diversify the organization.
“I spoke on behalf the board of Leadership Connect regarding the violence and injustice we’ve been seeing lately… I called for a special task force that is focused on engaging the underrepresented communities of the Wabash Valley and finding ways to bring individuals from those groups in to our organization. Give them a seat at the table and a voice in how we can better develop ourselves into well rounded leaders, and make decisions with their best interest in the forefront. It’s with these goals we will make Leadership Connect more inclusive and ultimately strengthen the West Central Indiana community.”
Leadership Connect is asking for members to join the task force. If you are interested reach out to Jared Ell, Jared.Ell@indstate.edu.
“Join us for this momentous task,” Ell says. “The work is important, and I have every confidence we will rise to the occasion.”
Leadership Connect Stance on Racial Injustice and Violence
Over the last few weeks and even years we have seen horrible acts of violence committed against historically marginalized populations across the country. Leadership Connect condemns these acts of violence and stands on the side of justice. However, paying lip service will not cut it for me and will not cut it for Leadership Connect. We have an amazing opportunity as emerging leaders in our community to step up and advocate for positive change in our community. We have platforms, we have influence, and we have a passion to see our community grow and flourish. It is time for us to act.
When Ron and I decided to co-chair Leadership Connect, one of our goals as a board was to diversify our organization. We wanted to increase diversity of thought, experience, beliefs, politics and motivations, and we are not yet where we want to be. But today we are going to take the first step to change that. As an organization Leadership Connect will be creating a task force to reach out to underrepresented groups in our community and listen, just listen, to how we can incorporate those members into what we do and how we can create a seat at the table and ensure all voices in our community are being heard.
Personally, I’ll be doing more listening, reading, and learning. If you would like to come with me on the journey, please reach out. If you believe you can help Leadership Connect or me on that path, also, please reach out.
The point is that today, we will be learning about civic engagement and what it means to lead during a crisis. We are giving you the tools today, to make something happen in your community. Today isn’t about debating politics, beliefs, or armchair quarterbacking. I’ll be happy to have those conversations another time though. Today is about getting the tools we need to implement positive change within our communities, and then USING those tools for the greater good.
Thank you for joining us today. Thank you for engaging in our community, and thank you for being leaders.
-Jared Ell, Leadership Connect Co-Chair
