ChoicePoint affinity groups
ChoicePoint’s affinity groups have enhanced the personal and professional growth of employees, and have been a positive force in local communities. They are providing a model for emulation across RE.
Women’s Alliance
The ChoicePoint Women’s Alliance is a network of more than 200 employees based in the United States. Formed in 2001, the Women’s Alliance activities maximise the potential of female staff at every level through mentoring, education, career planning, networking and leadership development. The Women’s Alliance participates in community outreach projects that support disadvantaged girls and women. In 2008, the Women’s Alliance partnered with the YWCA of Atlanta to mentor 38 young girls on technology and communications. The program, TechGyrls, was a year-long commitment that included bringing participants into the company for a full day of mentoring.
Multicultural Group
The Multicultural Group of LexisNexis is comprised of employees with diverse racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Their goal is to promote awareness and understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity within the company and to offer employees a supportive work community in which to share experiences, offer advice, and act as mentors. In addition, the Multicultural Group provides insight into multicultural business markets and organizes and participates in community outreach projects.
Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA)
In 2001 a group of employees from all backgrounds, both gay and straight, partnered with the company’s senior leadership to form the Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA). GALA was formed to ensure a welcoming and open workplace for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees. In 2008, as in the five years previous, ChoicePoint received 100% in the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign. The Corporate Equality Index measures an organization’s commitment to providing an inclusive, supportive work environment. GALA has helped bring about important policy changes, such as domestic partner benefits from 2002.
Men Championing Diversity (MCD)
Believing that a diverse workforce is an effective workforce, a group of male employees from all levels of the company formed MCD in 2003. MCD is engaged in encouraging and supporting others in the company and has partnered on projects with the Women’s Alliance, GALA, and the Veterans Group. In 2008, MCD continued its collaboration with the Atlanta Diversity Managers Group (ADMAG) on a number of diversity-related forums on topics such as generational diversity, racial diversity, changing workforce demographics, and diversity and business impact.
Veterans
The ChoicePoint Veterans Group provides education and support for veterans-related holidays and community events, as well as information for employees on military service. Since 2002, the Veterans Group has organized support for US troops deployed overseas, including letter-writing campaigns, care packages, and assistance to families who have lost relatives in the line of duty. In 2008, the group worked with MCD to organize a company-wide on-line auction which raised more than $35,000 to benefit the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a non-profit organisation which aids those who have lost serving loved ones in overseas conflicts.