Working Group will accelerate progress under mission of equity for all.
BOULDER, Colo. (July 9, 2018) —Camber Outdoors is proud to announce the evolution of its mission from “Equality for all women in the outdoors, from the backcountry to boardroom” to “Equity in the outdoors, from boardroom to backcountry.” In support of the broadened mission, on July 25th, Camber Outdoors is launching a Workplace Equity Working Group (WEWG) in which peers, key stakeholders, and competitors will work together in collaboration to create an index of agreed upon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in the industry- and to consider new pathways.
Modeled after OIA’s Sustainability Working Group, the goal of the WEWG is to add dimension to efforts to drive equity in the workplace. The group will more explicitly explore elements of diversity that intersect with gender identity and expression- ethnicity and race, culture, sexual orientation and physical ability. Camber Outdoors will serve as a convener of participating companies, organizations and individuals who engage and share with each other to identify, test and adopt the index’s metrics and measures.
“Camber Outdoors’ board and leadership will continue to embrace our responsibility to make women’s leadership a strategic priority,” said Susan Viscon, Camber board president. “That work is far from done, and with this evolution the organization’s programming will incorporate more broadly and deliberately all dimensions of diversity, equity and inclusion. To do that work well will take time, and we look forward to the learning that will take place with a broader set of stakeholders.” She added the board recognizes that mission changes require time and trust, noting the original mission will serve as a foundation to evolve Camber Outdoors’ aim to deliver equity for all.
Camber Outdoors will now begin to rigorously audit current and future programs to ensure new mission alignment and impact. For example, efforts like the Professional Mentoring Program will continue with its current focus on women, recognizing the ongoing need for gender-based efforts to address workplace barriers specific to women. Others, like the Camber Outdoors webinar series or Pitchfest program, may evolve toward broader DEI.
“Camber Outdoors regularly evaluates our programs to ensure highest impact and return on investment for both participants and the partner companies that support them,” said Deanne Buck, executive director. “The CEO Pledge, a first-of-its kind, industry-focused gender initiative was co-created by CEOs three years ago under Camber Outdoors’ mission of equality for all women. Its success is rooted in engaging deliberately with partner companies that are committed to accelerating transformation and we plan to continue that approach under our broader mission.”
Founded over 20 years ago as the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC), Camber Outdoors has guided its member companies toward elevating and accelerating women’s leadership as a strategic business imperative. Today’s mission change responds to partner and stakeholder conversations, plus current research that proves leading companies incorporate equity in their workplaces as a business strategy and a preferred way of organizational life.
Earlier this year, Ann Krcik – a co-founder of the original OIWC – lost her battle with cancer but left an incomparable legacy to the outdoor industry. Buck continued, “Throughout her career, Ann asked, ‘Who is missing from the leadership table? Whose voice would help us make better decisions?’ She believed that broad inclusion of individuals and leaders in the industry to be at the forefront of smart business decisions. We think this evolution would make her proud.”
Learn more about the WEWG: camberoutdoors.org/wewg
About Camber Outdoors
Founded in 1996, Camber Outdoors envisions a future of “Everyone’s Outdoors.” It is the only national organization dedicated to achieving equity in the outdoors, from boardroom to backcountry, through innovative and thought-leading programming and initiatives, including the CEO Pledge, Thought-Leader Keynotes, Pitchfest, Professional Mentoring Program, and Camber Exchanges. More than 185 companies, 5,500 individual members, and 18,000 constituents engage with Camber Outdoors.
To learn more about Camber Outdoors please visit:
Website: camberoutdoors.org
Facebook: facebook.com/CamberOutdoors.FanPage
Twitter: @camberoutdoors
Instagram: @camberoutdoors
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/camberoutdoors
