Ten Step Plan for Chapter Diversity Goal: Identify the recruitment, involvement, and participation of women, minority physicians, and international medical graduates as a primary goal for your chapter. 1. Develop a formalized, long term integrated approach to developing inclusion including strategic plan and chapter priorities. Establish goals and objectives could involve building consensus around what diversity means to the council/committee and, its benefits and challenges; Identify strategic recruitment partnerships and tactics to develop diverse pipeline of board candidates; Interview exiting board members for insights on board culture and experience 2. Appoint a Diversity Committee, or other committee(s) with a diversity-related function (e.g. Women in Medicine Committee), to design and develop programs and initiatives. 3. Charge all local committees to incorporate diversity into their plans and activities and to maintain liaison with both the local and national Membership Committees for guidance and direction. Attend, or send a representative to, the diversity events held at the annual Internal Medicine meeting. 4. Diversify your councils and committees. Consider gender, age, ethnicity, skills set, and perspective. Is your council relevant (i.e. does it meet the needs of your members)? Does it brings different perspectives to decision making and represents different points of view? Is it more likely to attract diverse volunteers because of its composition? 5. Encourage women, minority physicians, and IMGs to run for the position of Governor when applicable. 6. Establish relationships with local medical organizations that serve as links with women, minority physicians, and IMGs (e.g., American Medical Women's Association, National Medical Association, American College of International Physicians, National Hispanic Medical Association). 7. In chapters with a high concentration of IMGs, consider supporting acculturation programs in conjunction with residency programs, to help IMG residents deal with cultural differences. 8. Establish mentorship programs, matching mentors with nonmembers to introduce them to College activities and programs, matching mentor Fellows with Members to assist them through the process of advancing to Fellowship, or matching members with medical students, residents, and fellows. Encourage use of ACP’s mentoring database. 9. Sponsor special events, such as educational programs dealing with diverse patient population issues, breakfasts, luncheons, receptions, etc., to provide a forum for women, minority physicians, and IMGs to identify their needs and encourage them to contribute their views. 10. Incorporate women, minority physicians, and IMGs into chapter/regional meetings in the following ways: Offer a panel discussion or course at the chapter meeting about topics of interest to these groups like work-life balance, health care disparities, or VISA issues Host special networking sessions (breakfasts, luncheons, receptions, etc.) Provide child care Ask faculty from diverse groups to be part of the scientific program
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