Skip to Page Content

Event Details

    Making an Inclusive Culture in the Workplace

    Date: October 22, 2019, 11:30am – 1:30pm
    Location:
    Bismarck Elks - 900 S Washington St.
    Elks Lodge in the large meeting room where receptions and dances are held. Members will go through the buffet line in the restaurant and order as much or as little as they want and pay the cashier. Members will bring their tray into the large meeting room where the business meeting and presentation will take place.
    Event Type:
    Meeting
    iCal link
    Add to Calendar

    Topic:

    Making an Inclusive Culture in the Workplace

    What will be covered:

    • The differences between diversity and inclusion

    • Building upon diversity to become inclusive

    • Tone at the top - top management needs to be on board and to model inclusion.

    • What inclusion means

    • Embracing and leveraging difference employees bring to the workplace

    • Practical tips

    • Etc. 

    Speaker:

    Yoke Sim Gunaratne - Executive Director of Cultural Diversity Resources (CDR)

    CDR is a 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit whose mission is to build communities that value diversity in Cass County, North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. In her current job, she works with refugees, immigrants and minority individuals from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Programs developed during her time include diversity & cultural competency training, multi‐ethnic leadership & community development, interpreter services, job development, self-sufficiency assistance and various cultural events. In 2009, she started a three-year federal funded Native American Center which became incorporated as an independent nonprofit in 2012.  Prior to working at CDR, she was the refugee resettlement manager for Lutheran Social Services of ND and a Community Development Officer at North Dakota State University’s International Office.

    Ms. Gunaratne received her Bachelor of Social Sciences from Science University of Malaysia. She has a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Queensland in Australia and was a part‐time instructor at the University of Central Queensland in Rockhampton, Australia.

    Ms. Gunaratne has more than 25 years of experience working and presenting on nonprofit and diversity issues. She was certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) since 2007. She was trained in “Seeking Educational Equity & Diversity” (SEED) curriculum for teachers and has facilitated SEED seminars for both Moorhead and Fargo School Districts for more than fourteen years. She provides diversity training and consultation to various businesses, community agencies, governmental entities and professional associations. In addition, she is trained as a facilitator through West Central Initiative Community Foundation.

     

    This program has been submitted for 1.0 hour of continuing education credit from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).

    This program has been submitted for 1.0 hour of professional development credit from the Society for Human Resource (SHRM).