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The Diversity and Inclusion Theme Committee's (D&ITC) mission is to provide learning and outreach opportunities that foster a more diverse and inclusive AOM community.  The Committee's work is guided by the following core values and principles: 1) Diversity is all of the multiple lines of difference that characterize our current and future membership; 2) Inclusion means that all members have the opportunity to be represented, to have their voices heard and valued, and to have influence on the AOM; 3) Inclusion requires identifying and removing barriers to all members' full participation in the activities and decision-making of the AOM; 4) The growth and success of the AOM are dependent upon having a globally diverse perspective and broadening the scope and impact of our field; and 5) the AOM will be strengthened and improved to the degree that we incorporate the knowledge and perspectives of its diverse membership and constituents. 

The Professional Development Workshops (PDWs) are a perfect opportunity to develop innovative and creative sessions and events that will benefit Academy members and further the mission of the D&ITC.  We particularly welcome proposals for sessions that will provide opportunities, through interactive workshops and other suitable activities, to facilitate efforts to develop a more inclusive Academy. Ideas for D&ITC PDWs include sessions that:

·         Seek ways to understand current levels of inclusion and ways to enhance inclusion in the AOM.

·         Enhance member knowledge and skills pertaining to diversity and inclusion, in their multi-faceted forms and manifestations.

·         Help Academy leaders serve the diversity of member needs and backgrounds and foster more inclusion across multiple lines of diversity.

·         Provide opportunities for positive and developmental interactions among members of diverse backgrounds, in ways that can lead to enhanced inclusion.

The conference theme for 2014, The Power of Words, encourages us to consider the effect of words on individuals, teams, organizations, nations, or even global systems.  Words allow people to convey and interpret meaning, potentially influencing perceptions, emotions, attitudes, decisions, and associated behaviors.  Possible questions related to the conference theme and D&ITC's mission include:

·         What practices help to overcome unintended or intended exclusivity, especially when members of a dyad, group, or organization speak a language or jargon unknown to other members?

·         How do words enhance (or diminish) people's feelings of inclusiveness, particularly within AOM?  

·         How and when do conversations across various intergroup boundaries (e.g., regional, disciplinary, institutional, national, ethnic, gender, etc.) facilitate understanding of and comfort with cultural and other differences? What are the implications for inclusion?

Submitters should consider, but not be bound by, the conference theme.  All proposals should be submitted using the AOM submission system at http://submissions.aomonline.org. The submission deadline is January 14, 2014 at 5pm EST; earlier submissions are encouraged.  In their proposals, submitters should address how they will disseminate information about their session and encourage attendance, and engagement.  Submitters should also identify opportunities for co-sponsorship with other divisions or interest groups.   If you have questions or would like to discuss an idea for a PDW, please contact Christina Stamper at christina.stamper@wmich.edu or +1-269-387-5068.