LOCAL THOUGHTS
Here
are some thoughts from local business people about the power of diversity
in our area and abroad.
| "Ensuring that our community is a welcoming place for all people is the goal that out Chamber continues to build upon through the work of our Diversity Task Force. With the help of our partners, we have accomplished much already--this guide, a diversity declaration area business signed, and the annual area diversity award to name a few projects. And, there is still more that we are working to do to encourage and celebrate diversity and to ensure this community's success today and in the future." |
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Stephen
M. Barrouk
President/CEO Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry |
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"Diversity
in our region is something to be welcomed and appreciated. It is
a gift that adds freshness and vitality to our communities. When
we treat each other with dignity and respect, we promote understanding
and progress, everyone--every citizen, every neighborhood, every
business, every community--will benefit."
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Donna
Palermo
President Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce |
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| "Since 9/11, the resounding theme in our society has been 'United We Stand' as we unite in our fight against international terrorism. However, the greatest threat to our national security is the domestic terrorism of racism, sexism, homophobia and now, national origin. We must be as diligent in our fight against domestic terrorism for it poses the greatest challenge to our theme of 'United We Stand.'" |
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Ronald
L. Felton |
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"Diversity
programs have become a corporate priority. Reaching out to the minority
populations makes good business sense for any company if our region
is to remain competitive. We need to encourage and celebrate a diverse
workforce. The Diversity Guide is one way the Greater Wilkes-Barre
Chamber of Business and Industry does that here in NEPA."
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Jane
Ashton
Director, Workforce Development Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber |
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| "As a region, we are guided by a strong set of values. Honesty, integrity and respect for others is central to everything we do. In keeping with these values, our attitude on diversity should be based on respect for one another, and recognition that each person brings his or her own unique attributes to the workforce. At the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. Our region will be most successful when we fully capitalize on the skills, talents and potential of all." |
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Rosemary
Dessoye
Executive Vice-President Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce |
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"Diversity
in the workplace means creating an environment where people from
dissimilar backgrounds can utilize their talents and work productively
together. As more and more companies do business overseas, our marketplace
is indeed global in nature. We must instill in our students that
real talent has no boundaries and that everyone must work together
in order to feel valued and productive. We all have the potential
to contribute to success!"
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Edward
S. Lyba, Ed.D. |
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| "To celebrate diversity is to appreciate and value individual differences. SHRM strives to be the leader in promoting workplace diversity. Although the term is often used to refer to differences based on ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin and sexual orientation, diversity encompasses an infinite range of individuals' unique characteristics and experiences, including communication styles, physical characteristics such as height and weight and speed of learning and comprehension." |
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Todd
Campbell
SHRM Diversity Initiative Manager |
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"Diversity
is the key to the richness of our area. Leadership Wilkes-Barre
supports diverse groups in its programs. In fact, the original diversity
guide was a project of Leadership Wilkes-Barre and reflects its
desire to make all people feel welcome in our area."
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| Sue
Kluger Executive Director Leadership Wilkes-Barre |
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| "Behind our commitment to diversity is the recognition that our similarities and differences are equally central to our success - that talented, experienced and diverse individuals are necessary to develop the strategies that will move the corporation forward in a complex and changing society. To hire the best, to keep the best, we seek to create an open and inclusive work environment. Fleet aims to be a company where diversity is everybody's business, and where diversity is reflected in all relationships with our peers, customers, vendors and the communities we serve." |
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Joselle
Lencicki
Human Resources Manager Fleet Bank, Scranton, PA |
| Introduction | ||
| Hispanic | ||
| Middle Eastern | ||
| Appreciation | ||
| Interpretation |
Local
Thoughts
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