On August 2, the 4 NCR BRGs with chapters at World Headquarters (WHQ) held the annual BRG Picnic at Old River Park under the theme “Many Cultures, One World.”  The 4 BRGs are: League@NCR, The Alliance (of Black NCR Employees), Women In NCR (WIN), and the Asian/Pacific American Association for Advancement (4A). This year, League@NCR was the host organization, with Jenny Caden, Dayton Chapter Representative, presiding.

Thanks to The Alliance, we enjoyed music from several countries and cultures while everyone filled their plates with some good picnic-type food. In my opening remarks, I mentioned that it is legal in 34 states to be fired because of your sexual orientation and in 43 states you can be fired for your gender identity and expression. This led into the fact that NCR is a corporate leader against this kind of workplace discrimination and at last year’s picnic, Bill Nuti, NCR Chairman and CEO, announced we would have a Global Diversity Officer soon. Tom Volpe then stepped forward to introduce Clairesse Jackson, our new Global Diversity Officer, who outlined her new role to the attendees.

After a prize drawing by 4A, WIN gave us a demonstration of Zumba dance and exercise. Shortly thereafter Bill Nuti arrived and made a few remarks on how he wants to involve the BRGs more in corporate support and increase the membership in each BRG as well.

The Alliance made a drawing for several door prizes, and then WIN gave us another Zumba demonstration.  WIN held the last drawing, after which we were given the answers to the bingo puzzle. Everyone who turned in a bingo sheet was then entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate, which was won by Agnes Selvaraj.

We then had the final drawing for the grand prize, a “movie night” basket with popcorn, movie-type candies, a $30 pass to the Showcase Cinema, and 4 DVDs, one representing each BRG. Only BRG members were eligible for this prize, which was won by Terence Ware of The Alliance!

Everyone had a great time and we hopefully communicated the importance of diversity in NCR to everyone. Either WIN or The Alliance will be the host for 2008.

Jennette (Jenny) Caden, Dayton Chapter Rep.

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