ASAE is committed to supporting associations on their path toward becoming consciously inclusive, providing leaders with knowledge and insight to grow and strengthen a diverse membership and helping leaders foster civil discourse and community mindedness.

Conscious inclusion is a deliberate, intentional and proactive approach to creating a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. It involves changing behaviors, policies, and systems to be more inclusive and create a sense of belonging.

Conscious Inclusion moves beyond creating awareness of implicit bias and its negative impact on workplace culture and performance to change the way we act. A Conscious Inclusion strategy installs a practical, action-oriented framework to cultivate the desired culture and environment of organizational diversity, inclusion and belonging. ASAE has adopted a Conscious Inclusion Business Strategy to help associations unlock their full potential of a diverse workforce and membership.

A Conscious Inclusion Business Strategy is about more than reacting to today’s environment – it is about developing a proactive strategy that positions ASAE to strategically support associations and individuals advance in their Conscious Inclusion journeys.

ASAE will address the specific needs of associations and association professionals that drive cultural changes and create the conditions for long-term organizational changes.

ASAE’s Conscious Inclusion Advisory Committee is responsible for providing oversight of ASAE Conscious Inclusion Initiatives and reporting progress to the ASAE Board of Directors. Thanks to ASAE's Conscious Inclusion Advisory Committee, we have greater capacity to support associations and industry partners in developing their own Conscious Inclusion related concepts, policies, and practices to improve organizational outcomes.

ASAE’s Commitment to Conscious Inclusion

ASAE’s Statement on Conscious Inclusion

In principle and in practice, ASAE values and seeks inclusive participation within the field of association management. ASAE promotes involvement and access to leadership opportunity regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, or professional level. 

ASAE’s Core Ethical Standards

ASAE’s core ethical standards include that members should champion Conscious Inclusion. 

ASAE’s Conscious Inclusion related policies 

The ASAE board has approved several Conscious Inclusion related policies that guide the organization’s activities related to meetings, advocacy, and volunteer management: 

• Meetings Accessibility Policy 
• Religious and Non-religious Holiday Observances 
• Board Diversity Policy and Volunteer Model 

 

Insight Documents

ASAE’s Conscious Inclusion Advisory Committee worked with various ASAE Committees to develop insight documents in key areas of association management.

• Advocacy
• Community Engagement
• Governance
• Marketing
• Meetings and Events
• Membership
• Operations

Navigating Changes in Conscious Inclusion 

• Key Questions: Things to Consider for Diversity Programs