Honor & Service Q&A: What It Takes to Start and Run a Successful Employee Resource Group
Wednesday July 12th, 2023
Estimated time to read: 5 minutes, 15 seconds
Forty-one percent of employees say their employer doesn’t offer employee resource groups (ERGs), which is a big opportunity for employers looking for new ways to support their workforce, including groups like veterans, people of color, LGBTQIA+, women and more.
An ERG is a voluntary, employee-led group that’s interest-focused. They come with many benefits, including fostering inclusivity and building community within an organization. They can also help unify teams via a common cause, creating a safe outlet for employees to express challenges and concerns. What’s more, an ERG can connect employees with mentors, help to develop leaders and generate awareness for issues affecting underrepresented groups.
Offering a variety of ERGs is just one of many ways isolved supports its workforce and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B). One of these ERGs is the Honor & Service Group, which was started by Vice President of Marketplace Operations Melissa Versnik in April 2021 and is currently run by Veteran and HCM Sales Representative Andrew Aguirre. Below is a Q&A with both, outlining what it takes to start and run a successful ERG.
1. Why did you start the Honor & Service Employee Resource Group?
Melissa Versnik (MV): isolved is focused on supporting our employees, no matter what walk of life they come from. We had started a number of other ERGs and this was a natural fit. We have so many veterans and military spouses, and we wanted to support them in any way we could and show our appreciation for the sacrifices they have made to benefit us all.
2. What did it take to the Honor & Service Group off the ground?
MV: People! We got together a solid group of volunteers that were also passionate about supporting our veterans, many of them veterans themselves. We had the monetary support of isolved and leadership to be able to do things like implement Veterans Day as a paid holiday for veterans and their spouses, get them logo’d apparel for a small token of appreciation each Veterans Day, make donations to organizations looking to support veterans in a variety of ways, and raise awareness within the company of the experiences they have had.
3. Why was joining the Honor & Service Group important to you?
Andrew Aguirre (AG): I joined the group to find individuals with the same values and morals that represent the U.S. Armed Forces. Not that my other colleagues don’t have good morals or values, but those who wore the uniform or were spouses understand the grit, tenacity and adversity we face. I needed that common ground and there was no better ERG than Honor and Service.
4. What is the biggest challenge and reward of leading the Honor & Service Group?
AG: The biggest challenge is having to make time for this. As this is a labor of love, my priorities lie within both responsibilities at isolved and it is difficult to prioritize my duty of driving revenue as well as my pledge in leading this outstanding ERG group. Nonetheless, I make it work.
MV: Our HR team was a help, raising awareness with new hires and letting them know about the group. Our events were also widely promoted within the company to all employees and the presentations so heart felt, we would have new members wanting to be a part of what we were doing!
AG: Our members grow organically. The members do a good job advocating once they know someone is a family member, spouse or a veteran. We invite all individuals that display patriotism, but our focus is to hone in and invite those who are veterans or veteran affiliated/dependents.
MV: All employees are so different and have unique experiences. Veterans are often overlooked, but they are so, so important. Without our veterans, we wouldn’t have the freedoms we have today in this country. They deserve our honor, respect and appreciation for the sacrifices they, and their families make on a regular basis. Not just once per year on Veterans Day.
AG: ERGs are pivotal to culture and identity. Although we are all created equal, we all don’t represent that same mindset or identity. Therefore, having these groups allow an individual to be with likeminded personnel who can elevate their being.
AG: We plan our events as a group effort. We host quarterly and semiannual meetings with members and the committee. Then we collaborate on what we want to do as a group.
8. What are some examples of events/company-wide initiatives the Honor & Service group has put together?
AG: We’ve participated in the Armed Forces Classic, which is a ride that is put together for competition, but the benefactor is Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). We also invited the nonprofit Got Your Six to share their story about how they train rescue dogs and place them into veteran homes with needs and become service dogs. Additionally, we invited Homes for Veterans to share their story on how they build ramps, accessible bathrooms and kitchens for veterans.
9. What was the biggest lesson learned from starting an ERG?
MV: Recruit some passionate people! Find out what stories matter most to people and share them! We have learned so much about some of our own employees and their experiences, it’s been amazing – with many tears shed along the way.
AG: Be patient, be humble, listen to your people. Many individuals want to voice their opinions, but the important thing is balancing all those opinions and coming to a common ground. But more importantly, have a mission statement and a vision that all of the members agree on. This is how you create core values and morals for your group.
Learn more about isolved’s Honor & Service Group and commitment to supporting veterans by watching Military Makeover: Operation Career.
