AALA's 2011 Diversity & Inclusion Program 

Quite often, some of the best players are left out of the game due to politics, preconceived notions, biases or the simple impression that one person is better than another. Excuses are used to conceal the true reason for not allowing others to participate. “There are only so many positions on the team.” “We already have a quarterback.” “One more year of practice, then they can tryout for the team again.” “It’s against the rules.” The good thing is that there is only one rule: Those with the most diverse players win. 

Beginning in July 2011, the AALA Diversity Committee will kickoff our 2011 Program on Diversity and Inclusion: Waiting on the Sidelines. Diversity for most firms is thought of as a check box on the questionnaire: “CHECK. Yup, we have a diversity committee.” But it’s more than that. Our goal in 2011 is to create awareness among not only the legal community, but the entire Atlanta marketplace. We want to get people off of the sidelines and into the game. 

To accomplish this, the Diversity Committee will push out timely articles on diversity and inclusion topics, written by our own legal administrators. We will partner with community groups to further enhance the awareness of inclusion in our community. We’ve even developed a pledge to further our commitment on having all members stand behind this year’s initiative!

We’re going to be very busy, so we need your help!  If you are interested in joining the Diversity Committee to help us get people off of the sidelines and into the game, please let us know. If you have a passion of people, we need you! If you like to write, or know someone who does, we need you! Not an author? Not a problem! We have a lot on our plate and we need your help! Please contact me or our other members, Emily Christianson and Irene Jean-Brice today. 

“Hey John, we are already a diverse group, I think I’ll pass on supporting this initiative.” Let me leave you with one quick tidbit to enhance our awareness:

Which countries are the following wages paid?

·         $0.41/hour – Turkey processing plant employee

·         $0.40/hour – Clean hotel rooms

·         $0.79/hour – Sew table linens

Would you guess the United States? A little known provision in the 73-year-old federal wage law allows employers to pay less than minimum wage if adults have disabilities that limit their productivity.