The Employee Resource Group (ERG) Training Program sets ERG leaders on the path to success by aligning passion and purpose with corporate DEI goals. Drawing on ALPFA’s expertise in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), a faculty of experienced leaders, and a suite of tools and resources, DivERGe ensures that participants are equipped with the knowledge and tools to motivate and engage their ERG, deliver impact for their company in employee engagement, retention, development, business innovation, and external positioning as a Latino DEI leader.
[ dih-vurj ] : verb to move or extend in different directions from a common point; to turn aside or deviate, as from a path, practice, or plan.
Partners
Whether your company is exploring launching employee networks or you have a well-established history in this space, DivERGe is built for you. Whether you call your groups Employee Resource Group (ERG), Business Resource Group (BRG), or something else, our program meets employee groups where they are on the maturity curve and help advance your Latinx and DEI goals. DivERGe helps ERGs prioritize and develop actionable plans to impact areas like employee engagement, ad-vancing corporate culture, driving innovation, externalizing LatinX and DEI commitments, recognition and impact, to name a few. Our tailored approach ensures you are positioned for immediate and long-term success.
Participants
We are here to provide you with specific and tangible tools to lead your ERG to the next level of maturity. You will walk away with a workbook including your annual plan for your ERG.
Outcomes
ERG leaders will walk away with access to a network of Latinx leaders from other organizations, a tailored annual plan, best practices for motivating ERGs, increasing engagement, tools and resources for event planning and fundraising, a guide to planning an impactful heritage month and mentorship and guidance from Fortune 100 CDOs.
Program Format
There will be one 90-minute virtual session available per level followed by an in-person 3-hour session open to all levels. Participants are required to attend at least (1) virtual session and the on-site session. All participants will have access to a virtual toolkit that serves as a resource repository that includes: ERG guides, event templates, planning tools, budgeting tips and more!
Price Breakdown
Î Non-Member: $4,000
Î Pro Basic: $3,750
Î Pro Gold: $3,000
Î Pro Platinum: $2,000
Recognition
DivERGe participants will receive a LinkedIn badge upon completion of the program and be recognized at the ALPFA convention.
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SAMPLE AGENDA
Participants are required to attend at least (1) virtual session and the on-site session. All participants will gain access to: 1 E- toolkit of resources
Session Date Location Level Session 01 Summer TBD Virtual Beginner Session 02 Summer TBD Virtual Intermediate Session 03 Summer TBD Virtual Advanced Session 04 08/03/2024 In-Person All Levels Session 05 08/04/2024 In-Person All Levels
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TRAINING PROGRAM WORKSHOPS
Virtual courses
SESSION 01
VIRTUAL 75-90 MINUTES
Beginner
The Importance of ERGs, Setting Up, Establishing and Growing a Strong ERG, and Motivating and Engaging ERG Members
We know that employees are the heart of every organization. When a company embraces the diversity of its employees, celebrates what makes their workforce unique, and supports its ERGs, employee engagement improves, company culture advances, business innovation increases, and other key measures of success are positively influenced.
In this course, we will discuss the benefits and importance of establishing a strong and engaged ERG that is aligned with your company’s goals, ways to grow and motivate your ERG with engaged members, and how to establish a sense of community while raising cultural awareness by hosting impactful events.
SESSION 02
VIRTUAL 75-90 MINUTES
Intermediate
Establishing Your ERG as a Business Resource, Giving Back to Your Community, and ERG Recognition and Awards
Organizations are utilizing their ERGs to help them positively impact the communities in which their employees live and work through volunteerism and by building partnerships that increase brand loyalty and local and national recognition.
In this course, we will cover the benefits of your ERG being seen as a partner to the business and a resource to your organization and to the community. We will discuss giving back to your community through volunteerism and by building partnerships with organizations that align with your organization’s DEI goals and your ERG’s strategy and goals.
We will also discuss how your ERG can help increase your organizations external presence and persona while generating public visibility in the I&D space by receiving key accolades and prestigious awards.
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TRAINING PROGRAM WORKSHOPS
SESSION 03
VIRTUAL 75-90 MINUTES
Advanced
Creating a Safe Space for All Across the Organization, Partnering with Other ERGs, and Impacting the Bottom Line (Recruiting, Retention, Focus Groups, Business Innovation)
For any organization to continue to grow, employees must feel empowered and safe to participate and share. An organization with established ERGs that are recognized for being a safe space for all, regardless of role or location, is an organization that fosters an inclusive environment for all. When the various ERGs within a company collaborate and work together to bring intentionality and support to DEI efforts, the impact is innumerable. Organizations are turning to their ERGs to help them innovate and create innovative solutions, drive cultural and organizational change, and even attract and retain top talent, to name a few.
In this course, we will cover the benefits of positioning your ERG to be a safe and inclusive space for all to learn, develop, share and innovate. We will focus on how to position your ERG and its members to be seen as a trusted partner and a resource to the business and to other ERGs.
We will also discuss the ways to position your ERG to impact the bottom line of your organizations business units including recruiting, retention, product development, and business innovation.
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TRAINING PROGRAM WORKSHOPS
In-Person Course
SESSION 04
In-Person 75-90 MINUTES
August 03, 2024
All Levels
9:00AM - 12:00PM ET
Hosting Impactful Events, Budgeting and Marketing Planning for the Year, Corporate Board Readiness
It is a known fact that leading an ERG requires transferable leadership skills. Many companies are looking at ERG leaders for talent opportunities. In this session we will focus on positioning your ERG to be seen as a place for top talent. We will discuss programs and initiatives that can be put in place to develop leaders and showcase their talents for career advancement.
In this working session, you will learn the foundations of developing an annual plan for your ERG that is based on your company’s overall goals.
SESSION 05
In-Person 75-90 MINUTES
August 04, 2024
Being an Ally and an Upstander, Designing Your Annual Plan
All Levels
9:00AM - 12:00PM ET
It is a known fact that leading an ERG requires transferable leadership skills. Many companies are looking at ERG leaders for talent opportunities. In this session we will focus on positioning your ERG to be seen as a place for top talent. We will discuss programs and initiatives that can be put in place to develop leaders and showcase their talents for career advancement.
In this working session, you will learn the foundations of developing an annual plan for your ERG that is based on your company’s overall goals.
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You will find that this Employee Resource Group (ERG) Training Program will set ERG leaders on the right path to success by making sure you are aligning with your corporate DEI goals while having a motivated, engaged, impactful ERG that improves employee engagement, retention, development, business innovation, and positions your organization to be seen as a DEI leader.
Your Instructor
Cydya Thomas
Cydya has over 14 years of experience as an Operations/HR thought leader in corporate, government, energy, real estate, nonprofit, and medical organizations. Cydya currently works for Village Medical on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team and drives diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives as well as leads the employee networks. She also leads employee activation initiatives and community volunteerism.
Prior to joining VillageMD, Cydya was the Director of Student Initiatives and ERG Networks at the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), the largest Latino professional association in the U.S. While at ALPFA, Cydya focused on launching and developing an ERG leadership training program for their corporate partners and she oversaw the operations and initiatives for ALPFA’s 150+ student chapters. Previously, Cydya was an Inclusion & Diversity Lead with JCPenney. Her experience includes work with the Cook County Government in Chicago, IL, AEP Energy, PRG Real Estate Group, Walgreens and the State of Florida.
Cydya holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU). She also holds a Diversity and Inclusion for HR Certificate from Cornell University.
Cydya is proud of her unique background, having been raised most of her life in Central America, Asia and Europe with her 3 brothers. She met her husband, Jamaal, while attending FAMU and they currently live in Prosper, TX with their 3 children— London (11), Liberty (7), and Legend (3). Her hobbies include watching women’s gymnastics, exercising, reading, and traveling.
