Group of diverse people laughing and having fun

Virginia Section AWWA celebrates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all areas of life and welcomes everyone to be a part of our organization.  Please join us to celebrate our members that contribute so much to our success! 

Events, Activities, and Ideas

Scholarships

 
The Joint Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is launching a scholarship program to support water professionals in attending the WaterJAM conference. The program offers four (4) scholarships, covering conference registration fees, hotel costs, and travel expenses up to $250. There are two different scholarships available.  One is for individuals working in non-traditional areas of the water industry, and one is for women in the water profession. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2025. These scholarships aim to make JAM accessible to everyone, eliminating the financial burdens that attending a conference can bring. If you're interested in learning more about this program, click the links below to apply.
 
(individuals working in non-traditional areas of the water industry)
 
 
(women in the water profession)
             
Check out our Quarterly Newsletter! 
The DEI Publications workstream is happy to provide you with useful information and resources on the DEI Committee's activities and upcoming observances and events. View the online edition by clicking below.  
Check out the Newsletter!
To submit an article or information to the DEI newsletter for consideration, please complete this online form:  https://vaawwa.typeform.com/submitarticles
 
Thoughtful Tuesday: Neurodiversity in the Workplace
 
Neurodiversity is a term that acknowledges neurological differences that should be recognized and respected, just as any other human variation (e.g., ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age). Therefore, neurodivergent refers to a person whose brain differences affect how their brain works. Using this terminology, we understand that neurological conditions are a part of what makes a person who they are, and taking away that condition is taking away their individuality, suggesting that these conditions do not need to be cured but rather celebrated.
 
Based on the guidebook “Neurodiversity in the Workplace” created by Arcadis, this session is intended for managers, co-workers, and all who identify as neurodivergent. You will learn about different types of neurodiversity, best practices for collaboration, considerations for improved performance, and practical tips to create an inclusive workplace.
 
Here are some helpful resources to check out... 
Neurodiversity in the Workplace Guidebook
 
Additional Resources on Neurodiversity
 
 
Thoughtful Tuesday: Building an Inclusive Workforce - Triumphs and Challenges Faced By Utilities In Operationalizing DEI, featuring PWCSA
 

Prince William County Service Authority (PWCSA) has been intentionally working and developing VIBE – [Diverse Voices, Inclusion, 
Belonging, and Equity] – since March 2021. VIBE celebrates our similarities and differences and fosters a culture where every employee can thrive. VIBE strives to create an inclusive work environment and increase employee engagement and trust. PWCSA has incorporated VIBE into its leadership system, performance management, community partnerships, and more.
 
For this Thoughtful Tuesday event, PWCSA General Manager/CEO, Calvin Farr, and HR Generalist II, Heren Mekonnen, shared about their journey of DEI in the workplace. It was a thought-provoking session to talk, think, and learn about the importance of building an inclusive workforce and environment and how to overcome the challenges. 
 
Thoughtful Tuesday: Advancing Woman Leaders through Mentorship/Allyship
 
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Thoughtful Tuesday workstream is hosting an interactive workshop on “Advancing Woman Leaders through Mentorship/Allyship” to provide the tools and resources that women, people who identify as women, and all allies need to enhance their networks, advocate for their achievements, and increase their visibility and success in their organizations.
 
View the recorded session or download the presentation to learn more about mentorship, coaching, and emotional intelligence. 
 
 

Thoughtful Tuesday - International Women's Day

Our first Thoughtful Tuesday event is in celebration of International Women’s Day featured the topic “Break the Bias.”  The pre-recorded thought-provoking session on understanding and combating bias, along with a discussion by a diverse panel of distinguished women leaders working to break the bias in the communities in which they live, work, and lead is available to be viewed.

View the recorded video online
Thoughtful Tuesday: Workplace Resilience in a Post-COVID World
 

For many employees, discussing Perceived organizational support (POS), employee perceptions regarding the extent to which their employer “values their contributions and cares about their well-being” (Eisenberger, Huntington, Hutchison, & Sowa, 1986, p. 501) can feel intimidating and often goes undiscussed. Many employers still lack adequate tools to support and care for employees so that they can simply do their jobs well. 

View this Thoughtful Tuesday discussion with Dr. Jesse Winn to uncover aspects of workplace resilience in a post-COVID world. During this conversation, Dr. Winn identifies barriers to Perceived Organizational Support (POS), how to promote a safe space to reflect on ways to improve workplace resilience, and offers tools on how to support your teams and peers better.

 
Thoughtful Tuesday - The Humanity in Us - A Workshop on Equitable Decision-Making
 
How we see and understand the world influences how we interact with others, make decisions, and interpret others’ actions. To be equitable and inclusive water professionals, it helps to understand how our own personal identities bias our perceptions and how this impacts who we are trying to reach in our communication with each other and the public.
 
View the recorded session and download the presentation to continue the dynamic and engaging conversations that only began.
 
 
Thoughtful Tuesday - Let's Talk Love
 
Enjoy a thoughtful conversation forum style that sparked an intentional conversation about intersections of love and brings in the DEI themes of individuality, identity, acceptance, inclusiveness, community outreach, and intersectionality. Together we will open our hearts and dive into the who, what, where, why, how, and meaning of love!
 
View the recorded session, and then go share the love!
 
Thoughtful Tuesday - Disability Inclusion Matters
 
This Thoughtful Tuesday event honored Global Accessibility Awareness Day (May 19, 2022), featuring “Disability Inclusion Matters.”  The session got everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion and why disability inclusion matters.  Watch the recorded session at any time. 
 
Diversity Matters - Stories to Inspire and Encourage You
Start with Hope
Posted by Jerry Griffin, Jr. on Feb 25, 2022
Start with Hope
As Black History Month has drawn to an end and the transition into women’s history month has begun, I want to share some inspiration, reflection, and hope in alignment with the work of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at AWWA.
 
AWWA DEI Committee, we envision breaking through change barriers and ingraining DEI standards as a cultural norm within the VA AWWA community – touching every aspect of and everyone in the water sector of Virginia.
 
I have the privilege of serving as the Vice-Chair of this Committee.
Read more...

Inclusion Moments

Inclusion Images/Information

The following items are Inclusion Moments for your use in meetings, groups, or personal growth. 

Steps to access the graphics:

  1. To view the image at a larger scale, right-click the image, and select "Open image in new tab."

  2. To download the image (PNG format), right-click the image, and select "Save Image As." 

  3. Click here to access the PDF version of the image.

The Future of Meetings
Innovation Moment
Design Thinking
Digital Transformation with Design Thinking
Design Thinking Behaviors
Fido Friendly Office
Integrating Fitness & Work
Mental Health Month
Practicing Resilience with Attitudes & Mindsets
Shaping Mental Health
Persuading the Unpersuadable
We are living in a VUCA World
Exercising Snacking
The Cardi B Effect
Ted Lasso Effect
Breaking Down Silos in Big Meetings
The Taxonomy of Business Meetings
Future of Work
Name Essential to Inclusion
What Inclusion Truly Means
M&M Character Redesign
How to be a Good Ally
Inclusive & Accessible Communication
Managing Emotional Culture
The Ladder of Accountability
Representation and Inclusion in Story Telling
Burnout and the Brain
Talking about Burnout
Inclusion with Pronouns
Inclusion Moment Videos
 
 
 
Ageism: Age doesn't define you - Global
Campaign to Combat Ageism
 Inclusion: That Little Voice Labels: The labels we carry
     
 
 
  
Say My Name:  Uzo Aduba never liked her name Derek Sivers: How to start a movement  
     
 

Diversity Resources - To Help You with Your Own Celebrations

Yes, February is #BlackHistoryMonth, but your commitment to #AntiRacism, supporting #BlackWomen in the workforce, and leading with #inclusion matters 365 days a year.

Some key resources to #bookmark and share:

This and other great resources like this are available at https://www.catalyst.org/learning-with-catalyst/
 
Catalyst is a global nonprofit supported by many of the world’s most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women.