Workshop Allows Participants to Get “In the Shoes” of Presenters

ICIU facilitated a unique training workshop entitled “In Their Shoes” in November 2003. Participants in the workshop heard from four different individuals who spoke on their experiences as members of diverse communities. The workshop also included a performance by Stigma Busters, a local improvisation group. Gail Morse, Operations Manager of Mailing Services at Wells Fargo Financial, agreed that the training enabled participants to better understand cultural differences, and to work more effectively with members of diverse communities. “[The training was] absolutely awesome, and more than worth the time. I look forward to attending the next seminar.”

The workshop focused on the following cultures: Latino, African-American, Jewish, Islamic, people with disabilities and the lesbian/gay/ bisexual/transgender (LGBT) community.

Participants agreed that the perspective presentations offered in this training provided them with a unique opportunity to hear from members of these communities and to learn about their various cultures. “Your presentation was so inclusive and warm and dynamic,” said Alex Johnston, a participant in the training. “I think you set up an environment in which people were comfortable to share their thoughts, which takes great skill.”

ICIU Cross-Cultural Training Helps MidAmerican Energy Move Forward

ICIU facilitated a very successful cross-cultural training between American and Japanese team members working together on a major new MidAmerican Energy project in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The two-day training took place July 24 and 25, 2003 and focused on improving team work and communication between project team members, composed of Iowa-based employees, and employees from Hitachi and Mitsui, Japan-based companies subcontracted to work on the project.

The training included an in-depth exploration of cultural differences and cultural stereotypes, and emphasized the connection between valuing diversity and improved team effectiveness. Several participants agreed that one of the most enjoyable parts of the training was a team building exercise where Americans and Japanese worked together to make sushi for lunch.

“Even simple exercises like making lunch together can relate to team effectiveness in the workplace, said Michele Soria, Executive Director of ICIU. “The objective of this exercise was to strengthen team building in the workplace by illustrating how valuing cultural differences makes teams work more efficiently toward their goal.”

“We all have these images in our mind about different cultures,” said Tammi Nervig, Administrative Assistant at MidAmerican and a participant in the July training. “As Iowans, people think we should all know about agriculture. It was actually very enjoyable to watch some of the Japanese who had never made sushi.”

Seven team members from ICIU worked together to facilitate the training, six of whom have first-hand expertise specifically with Japanese culture. Members of the MidAmerican project team agreed that ICIU’s expertise on the subject was an essential part of the training’s success.

“Your working team was great,” Nervig said. “Without a doubt, the training helped us communicate better. Instead of being in a business meeting situation trying to figure everything out, this training was a great opportunity for both sides to be a little more relaxed and feel comfortable asking questions.”

MidAmerican is excited to work again with ICIU in the future, according to Chad Teply, Construction Manager for the new project and MidAmerican’s coordinator for the July training. The company is even looking at involving future project subcontractors in similar cross-cultural training workshops.

Participants Rave About ICIU Training Session with United Way

Participants went home motivated and excited following a recent training workshop conducted by ICIU.

Forty-five people from more than 40 agencies supported by the United Way of Central Iowa took part in the training facilitated by ICIU’s Executive Director, Michele Soria. The training took place July 31, 2003 at the United Way office in downtown Des Moines, and offered participants an opportunity to talk openly about cultural diversity in the workplace, and in their personal lives.

The three-hour training session was a first for many of the participants, and covered topics such as understanding human and cultural differences, the characteristics of multicultural leadership, the five aspects of self-esteem, and employees’ responsibilities in accepting diversity in the workplace. Many participants agreed that the subjects discussed in the ICIU training were relevant, timely, and different from those covered in diversity training workshops offered by other organizations.

“I am sent to trainings all the time,” said Amanda Eastman, Human Resources Investigations Specialist for the Des Moines Public School district, and a participant in the United Way training. “But I felt that ICIU’s training was interesting and insightful. It was an unedited, open discussion about contemporary issues. It was very refreshing.

Several participants agreed that the training generated substantive discussion about diversity - a topic that is especially important to United Way agencies. “United Way agencies work with a very diverse population of people who need extra support usually financially and emotionally, said Pam Foy, a Family Support Specialist at Care for Kids, and participant in the training. “[United Way agencies] need to be role models for others by setting an example of how people should be treated with every step we take.”

Maureen Reilly Wolf, Investment and Quality Assurance Associate at United Way of Central Iowa, agreed that respecting diversity is essential, and definitely a priority at United Way. “United Way has a policy that individuals will be served regardless of their race or ethnicity,” Reilly said. “To back that up, we offer diversity training to support the idea that we want inclusiveness in all aspects of our agencies.”

According to Reilly, ICIU’s diversity training with United Way was a great success and the organization is interested in providing similar trainings annually to its agencies. Foy agreed that follow-up training workshops are vital, saying, “Diversity is continuously changing so it is crucial that the workshops be continuous as well.”

Foy went on to say that she would love to participate in future trainings facilitated by ICIU. “Michele Soria has a wonderfully refreshing approach in her diversity trainings,” Foy raved. She involves everyone in a way that is not demeaning. Instead her approach is enlightening, leaving you with a new appreciation of others’ differences.”

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