Field Guide to Diversity for Associations
(Updated March 2009)
Diversity can be defined in a number of ways, including characteristics such as age, ethnicity, race, gender, physical ability, religion, socio-economic status, professional choices and other facets of social diversity. As association members and potential members become increasingly diverse, associations must reflect this diversity in order to represent not only the membership, but also the public they serve. This Field Guide contains articles, books, journal articles and Web sites on diversity and association management, inclusion and cultural issues. (A. Siudzinski, Information Specialist)
Steps to Creating a More Diverse Organization
Become educated about the issues
Seek out and cultivate the development of people of all backgrounds
Support flexibility in the workplace
Become a role model by publicly committing to diversity
Source: How to drive change, (Association Management, Nov. 2002). Q
Diversity & Association Management 
Recruiting for diversity, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Summer 2008).
Diversity in Leadership, (National Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs, n.d.).
Diversity Toolkit for REALTOR® Associations, (Chicago, IL: National Association of REALTORS® and The California Association of REALTORS®, n.d.).
Managing diversity, (Associations Now, Jan. 2006).
Addressing association diversity issues: the road not taken, (Association Management, Mar. 2004).
Minority goals, diverse leaders, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Summer 2003).
Bringing diversity into your association's consciousness, (Association Management, May 2002). Q
Achieving diversity in associations, (Association Forum, Nov. 2001).
Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Issues
Diversity's ambassadors, (REALTOR® Association News, Winter 2005). Q
Beyond political correctness, (Association Management, Jan. 2005).Q
Beyond the rainbow, (Association Management, Apr. 2004).
How to open the doors even wider, (Association Management, Jan. 2002). Q
Including all, (Association Management, June 2000). Q
Diversity in the 21st Century
Dare to diversify, (Association Management, Apr. 2005).
Look beyond tradition to diversify your board, (Nonprofit World, July/Aug. 2004).
Looking at 2010 and beyond, (Association Management, Aug. 2001). Q
An eye toward the future, (Association Management, Jan. 2001). Q
Cultivating new leadership, (Association Management, Jan. 2000). Q
eBooks & Other Resources
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Managing diversity, (Adobe eBook).
Human resources management for public and nonprofit organizations, (Adobe eBook).
Embracing diversity, (Cincinnati, OH: South Western, 2001). HF 5438 R63
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Communication for Associations
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
E-mail 
