FROM: Alan G. Schwartz, President & Chairman of the Board, USTA
DATE: February 12, 2003
RE: USTA’s "Next Steps" Towards Enhancing Diversity
Our Multicultural Participation Committee was established in 1991 as one of the important developments of the USTA’s effort to become a more inclusive organization. In October 2002, the Board elevated Multicultural Participation to a Level 1 Strategic Priority. The Committee, with my full support and that of the Board, has been working diligently to establish a framework and plan for our diversity initiative. I consider this initiative a crucial component of our becoming a more culturally inclusive organization.
I want to emphasize that for the USTA, diversity is about understanding and respecting our differences and acting pursuant to that understanding and respect. It's not only the right thing to do; it's a critical element of and an opportunity to ensure our future success. We have engaged Consulting Works, LLC to provide external expertise. We also devised a strategy that includes conducting a cultural audit. As part of the cultural audit, some of you may be asked to participate in a focus group, and everyone will have an opportunity to provide feedback through a survey. The survey will give each participant a chance to share, on a confidential basis, his or her perceptions about diversity in our organization. I strongly encourage your participation and look forward to your frank input.
We are assembling a Diversity Guide Team of approximately 10-12 individuals (volunteers & staff) to assist us in refining and implementing our diversity effort. You will be hearing more about, and will become involved in the work of the Diversity Guide Team in the coming weeks and months.
I look forward to the energetic commitment of every USTA volunteer and staff member to our diversity efforts.