This document provides team members with the information they need to understand and sustain a Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Advisory Group here at GitLab. Additionally you will be provided:
Introduction to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Groups
Internal diversity groups are a valuable component of a company’s diversity, inclusion, and belonging strategy, because they provide an inclusive and effective mechanism for managing and initiating diversity, inclusion, and belonging programs. Diversity councils/groups successfully integrate the company’s DIB programs with their operations, strategies, and missions and objectives. They provide platforms for assessing the effectiveness of the DIB program, introducing reform, and overseeing the DIB. They also demonstrate the companies’ commitment to DIB.
The Global DIB Advisory Group is designed to provide greater representation of the diversity, inclusion and belonging of GitLabs workforce. The group will assist with global feedback in implementing the diversity, inclusion and belonging strategy, policies and initiatives.
Responsibilities of the Group
Align GitLabs organization and programs with business needs, practices, and strategies
Have a long-term strategy, stated purposes, goals, and objectives, and a mission statement
Work closely with executive and operational leadership, diversity and people ops leadership, staff, and organizations (especially employee resource groups)
Partner with senior leadership for support and participation
Demonstrate the importance of diversity to the success of the enterprise
Communicate the goals and objectives, program efforts, and successes consistently and repeatedly to GitLab and its workforce
Secure a reputation as a source of good counsel, support, and understanding
Each member should commit to serving a minimum of 1 year in the group
Items that the group is not Responsible for
Items that are specific to a Team Member Resource Group (TMRG) should be passed to the TMRG (for example, the women's TMRG may wish to handle the Grace Hopper Celebration planning).
Roles Within the Group
Advisory Group Members
At GitLab we all contribute! Everyone has an opportunity to lead and provide feedback within the group. The group will be refreshed each October/November. Members will be asked to confirm participation, group size and membership will be evaluated to confirm we are sufficiently diverse to represent the needs of team members at GitLab.
Executive Sponsor
An executive GitLab team member who is responsible and accountable for strategic support of the group
Share accountability for the success of the DIB group
Participate as an active member of the DIB group
Share information about the DIB group activities with other leaders
Provide insight and guidance to DIB group as needed
Partner with the DIB group/council Lead and Co-Lead on issues, concerns, and resource needs of the community
May provide additional budget
Lead
A GitLab team member who is responsible and accountable for strategic direction and operations of the Global DIB Advisory Group
Operational lead of the Global DIB Advisory Group
Meets w/ DIB Partner regularly
Responsible for submitting annual and quarterly plans
Along with Vice-chair, serves as contact for any team, department, or other GitLab team member requesting partnership or education with the Global DIB Advisory Group
Co-Lead
A GitLab team member who supports the Lead and Sponsor in the strategy and operations of the Global DIB Advisory Group
Serve as lead in the absence of the Chair
Along with Chair, serves as contact for any team, department, or other GitLab team member requesting partnership with the DIB group
Project Groups
A GitLab team member who is responsible and accountable for specific deliverables of the Global DIB Advisory Group
For example, members who volunteer to be part of the newletter group.
Time Commitments
A GitLab team member who is a member of the Advisory Group should expect to spend time on the following items. There are additional commitments required if a member chooses to take on an additional role.
Attend the monthly meeting
Perform actions you volunteer for. Potential board member actions are
Making an MR and moving it forward to get company/community contribution and get it merged.
Gathering content for a newsletter.
Promoting DIB events and initatives
etc.
6 month Goals & Action for the DIB Advisory Group - As of July 2021
DIB in talent acquisition process
Action: Partner with TA to review current talent acquisition processes ensuring inclusivity and an overall focus on DIB
Output: Provide a report for talent acquisition leadership to review recommended iterations in the overall TA lifecycle
DIB in the onboarding process
Action: Partner with all teams involved in Onboarding to review the full process with the lens of enabling inclusivity and creating a sense of belonging for our new team members.
Output: Provide a report for the teams to view recommended iterations in the overall Onboarding lifecycle inclusive for people with diverse abilities and learning styles/personality types.
DIB and our annual DIB Survey Data
Action: The DIB Advisory group to review the DIB Survey Data published in July 2021
Output: Provide 2 to 3 recommendations to the DIB team of what action they will take on as an Advisory Group for FY22 H2.
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