Boise State to Host Idaho Inclusiveness Symposium Sept. 21

Boise State University will host the 2005 Idaho Inclusiveness Coalition Symposium. The biennial event will be from 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, in the Student Union Building. Registration is now available online at www.idahoincludes.org. Boise State University and Boise State Radio, along with platinum sponsors Albertsons and Citi Cards, are among the area organizations donating resources in support of the symposium.

This year’s symposium will feature workshops that focus on diversity awareness, skill building, collaboration and increasing community partnerships across differences. The workshops will be followed by a luncheon and a keynote address by Gloria Johnson Goins, vice president of diversity and inclusion for The Home Depot. Her talk is titled “Inclusion: Why It Matters.”

Goins joined The Home Depot in 2003. Her responsibilities are to unify, promote and implement companywide diversity and inclusion initiatives that increase The Home Depot’s profitability revenue and brand equity. Goins holds a bachelor of science in psychology from Stanford University, a juris doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Mercer University.

2005 Symposium participants will attend two workshops of their choice. Workshops include:

Cost is $40 for Idaho Inclusiveness Coalition members, $50 for nonmembers and $30 for students. Cost to attend only the luncheon and keynote address is $25. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the opening ceremony is at 8 a.m. Both take place in the Student Union Jordan Ballroom. Full details about the symposium and registration materials are available at www.idahoincludes.org.

Additional sponsors of the symposium include DIRECTV, The Idaho Statesman, Farmers & Merchants, Key Bank, Wells Fargo, Hewlett-Packard, Premier Sales Solutions, U.S. Bank, Sign-A-Rama, Alphagraphics, FedEx Kinkos, George and Bev Harad, and Springhill Suites.

The Idaho Inclusiveness Coalition (IIC) is dedicated to partnering with members and the community to assist them in realizing their diversity and inclusion goals, providing a forum for sharing best practices and keeping the diversity dialogue rich and meaningful. The IIC is committed to serving as a catalyst to leverage the knowledge, experience and resources of business, government, education and community to foster an inclusive and diverse Idaho. The symposium is part of that commitment.

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Contact: Anne Turner Smith, President, Idaho Inclusiveness Coalition, (208) 724-9696, annespirit@cableone.net 

Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Relations, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu