Revised October 2013 This Department of Veterans Affairs Training Series on Affinity Groups for Veterans and military service members is designed to help organizations understand the benefits to having Veteran and military affinity groups and the practices that could be implemented to make ID: 161517
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Slide1
Affinity Groups for Veterans and Military Service Members
Revised October,
2013Slide2
This Department of Veterans Affairs Training Series on Affinity Groups for Veterans and military service members is designed to help organizations understand the benefits to having Veteran and military affinity groups and the practices that could be implemented to make them more effective.
Introduction
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The suggestions in this presentation are being offered in an effort to improve Veteran retention in the workplace. It is understood that not all these practices can be implemented for every organization. Some variation may be required in order to comply with each organization’s policies and procedures.
Introduction
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A group of people having a common interest or goal or acting together for a specific purpose
Voluntary, employee-driven group that is organized around a shared interest or dimension
A group that provides support and networking opportunities such as mentoring, community outreach, career development, and cultural awareness activities
A forum for employees to gather socially and share ideas outside of their particular business units
What is an Affinity Group?
4Slide5
Other names for affinity groups include:
Employee Resource Group (ERG)
Employee Network Group (ENG)
Business Resource GroupAssociate Resource Group
Alternate Names
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Organizations with a Veteran population should consider offering Veteran or military affinity groups
Veteran affinity groups include employees who have prior military service
Military affinity groups would include employees active in the National Guard and Reserve
Military family members could be included in a Veteran or military affinity group, or they could have their own affinity group as needed or desired
Veteran and Military Affinity Groups
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Veteran affinity groups can:Improve Veteran recruitment efforts by providing a comfort zone for new Veteran hires
Increase camaraderie by offering Veterans opportunities to network with each other and find out what’s going on within the organization
Provide a resource of knowledge and experience for product/service development and marketing through workplace discussions
What are the Benefits of Veteran Affinity Groups?
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Veteran affinity groups can:Help build the company’s external reputation through community involvement in Veteran organizations
Increase morale and retention by engaging Veteran employees and providing support, networking, and career development opportunities
What are the Benefits of Veteran Affinity Groups?
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The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans in the Workplace
study gained insight into practices that improve Veteran retention in the workplace:
The support and development of Veteran affinity groups was a critical element to retention advocated by study respondents
Study participants reported that creating opportunities for peer support among Veterans in the workplace was one of the most highly effective steps for a company to take in creating a corporate culture that is conducive to Veteran success
Veterans in the Workplace Study
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Promising practices for Veteran affinity groups:
Organizational strategy
New employee orientation
Career and leadership trainingManagement assistance
Mentoring and coaching
Referral services
Networking and social activities
What Practices Could a Veteran Affinity Group Include?
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Have a business plan/strategy that could include by-laws, goals, and chair people (membership, outreach, etc.)
Hold regular meetings to discuss insights, needs, challenges, and successes of members
Develop a clear form of communicating to the entire group, such as by email list or social media groups
Establish a form of communicating information about the group throughout the company
Enlist a sponsor from senior management to represent and support the group
Organizational Strategy
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Provide assistance to the new Veteran employee in transitioning to the civilian culture
Outline Veteran resources and support available within the organization, including steps for seeking assistance
Provide opportunities for mentorship with seasoned employees who are also
Veterans
New Employee Orientation
12Slide13
Provide career development trainingHelp members move and grow within the organization
Raise members’ visibility within the organization
Discuss leadership in the civilian
workplace
Career & Leadership Training
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Provide assistance with Veteran recruiting
Members attend job fair and networking events to help the organization connect with Veteran candidates
Act as an internal focus group for the organization, giving valuable insights into diverse marketplaces
Give advice to human resources and management on improving policies and programs
Management Assistance
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Assist in providing mentors with military experience to newly hired Veterans, as desired
Offer training to volunteer mentors within the group
Facilitate mentor relationships within the group and offer assistance when
needed
Mentoring & Coaching
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Maintain a list of Veteran services within the organization, and the steps to seeking assistance
Provide information on Veteran services outside the organization
(e.g., Department of Veterans Affairs resources)
Include resources for spouses and family members
Referral Services
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Maintain a website or social media sitesMeet regularly for workplace discussions
Hold social activities (meet-and-greets, family get-togethers)
Include family members in the activities
Celebrate holiday remembrances (Veterans Day)
Contact members on a regular
basis
Networking & Social Activities
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Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University & Corporate Gray. (2013). Veterans in the workplace final report.
Washington, D.C.: Department of Veterans Affairs.
Affinity and Networking Groups, Winning with Diversity, by Jason Forsythe, Advertising Supplement to The New York Times, 2004.
http://www.nytimes.com/marketing/jobmarket/diversity/affinity.html
Affinity Networks: Building Organizations Stronger than Their Parts - Best Practices from the Network of Executive Women Consumer Products and Retail Industry
http://www.newnewsletter.org/bestpractices/newreport3_affinity_0407.pdf
Sources
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