The Board of Directors of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce believes in the benefits diversity brings and it recognizes that diversity of thought contributes to the formation of a strong organization. The Board recognizes that the most innovative and successful businesses, communities, and economies are the most diverse. Having a Board, management, and staff that are composed of people with diverse skills, experience, backgrounds, and perspectives can contribute to:
• a robust understanding of opportunities, issues, and risks;
• inclusion of different concepts, ideas, and relationships;
• enhanced decision-making dialogue;
• heightened capacity for oversight of the organization and its governance; and
• sustainability of the organization.
For the purpose of this policy, diversity includes, but is not limited to:
• skills and experience;
• industry sector/business size;
• gender identity or expression;
• sexual orientation;
• race;
• culture/ethnicity;
• socio-economic status;
• physical/mental ability;
• age;
• family/marital status;
• religion; and
• language.
The chamber endeavours to ensure diversity and inclusion is an integral part of all aspects of its operations and strategic initiatives. We welcome diversity representation on our Board, committees, task forces, management, and staff.
The chamber is committed to a merit-based system for Board/committee/task force composition within a diverse and inclusive culture that solicits multiple perspectives and views, and is free of bias and discrimination. When assessing Board composition and considering suitable nominees for election or appointment to the Board, the chamber will consider candidates based on merit against objective criteria having due regard for the benefits of diversity and characteristics in alignment with the strategic needs of the Board. Standing committees and task forces of the chamber will be expected to generally abide by the directives set out in this policy whenever possible, understanding that the specific nature of some of their work may require a stronger focus on unique skills sets and experience. The Board will work with management to ensure all aspects of the organization, including its talent recruitment and business practices, reflect the diversity and inclusion objectives of the Board