How do you include DEI in your campaign?

2 Build relationships

The second step to include DEI in your campaign is to build relationships. Relationships are the foundation of any successful community organizing campaign. You need to establish trust, respect, and mutual support with your constituents, team members, and partners. You also need to nurture diversity within your relationships, by reaching out to people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and by creating spaces for dialogue, learning, and collaboration. Building relationships requires time, effort, and empathy, but it pays off in the long run.

4 Implement actions

The fourth step to include DEI in your campaign is to implement actions. Actions are the concrete steps you take to achieve your goals and strategies. They can include various forms of advocacy, mobilization, education, service, and solidarity. You should design your actions to be inclusive, accessible, and empowering for your community, by considering their needs, preferences, and capacities. You should also monitor and evaluate your actions, by collecting data, analyzing results, and learning from successes and failures.

5 Communicate effectively

The fifth step to include DEI in your campaign is to communicate effectively. Communication is the way you share your message, vision, and values with your community and the wider public. You should use various channels and formats to communicate your campaign, such as social media, newsletters, flyers, posters, videos, podcasts, and events. You should also adapt your communication to your audience, by using clear, simple, and respectful language, by avoiding jargon and stereotypes, and by acknowledging and celebrating diversity.

6 Celebrate and appreciate

The sixth and final step to include DEI in your campaign is to celebrate and appreciate. Celebrating and appreciating means that you recognize and reward the efforts, achievements, and contributions of your community, team members, and partners. You can do this by organizing events, ceremonies, parties, or awards, by sending thank-you notes, cards, or gifts, or by simply expressing your gratitude and admiration. Celebrating and appreciating not only boosts morale and motivation, but also strengthens bonds and builds loyalty.