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Profiles of Diversity -:- Khushi Bhatnagar

Khushi Bhatnagar Deputy Speaker Khushi Bhatnagar is a Canadian recent grad who completed a Postgraduate certificate in Project Management at Sheridan College. She is a talented singer of classical Indian music, a badminton player, and a fitness enthusiast. She is also a time management expert, having juggled four jobs while maintaining a 3.5 GPA. She uses a notebook and Google Keep to organize her tasks and goals.

Khushi has a passion for academic integrity and innovation. She worked as a strategist for the Academic Integrity Office at Sheridan, where she created a project management system using Teams Planner. She was part of the most diverse team in the office, with eight members from different backgrounds and skill levels. She received positive feedback from her coworkers and manager for her contribution and performance.

Khushi is a fan of BTS, a popular Korean pop group. She chose their song Love Myself as her personal anthem, because she wants to spread happiness and confidence to everyone. She has a collaborative and transparent management style, and values listening to her team members and finding the best solutions for them. She is interested in working in the non-profit sector, and has some experience in fundraising from her previous projects in India.

Profiles of Diversity -:- Harneet Barmy

Harneet Barmy - Chief Privacy Officer Harneet Barmy is a Canadian IT professional and a computer science professor at Durham College. He worked as a senior systems analyst for the Government of Canada, where he helped with adopting cloud infrastructure and minimizing disruption to the business. He has over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, working as an Architect, consultant, and trainer. He is also the co-founder and editor of the Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching.

Harneet Barmy’s greatest strength is his humility and willingness to help others. He loves to answer Technical questions on websites like Google, Quora and to teach and mentor his former students. He is also an organized and efficient worker, who uses calendars, SharePoint, Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Azure and Microsoft 365 to manage his tasks and meetings. He is easy to work with, reliable, and self-sufficient, as his coworkers and managers would attest.

Harneet Barmy is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has been involved in several initiatives to promote these values in his professional and personal settings. He was inspired by a message he received from a local charity that provides scholarships and antiracist, character-building, and leadership programming to youth in the Greater Toronto/Hamilton Area. He joined J2DW as a board member, hoping to make a difference and support his wife, who faces challenges in her workplace due to the lack of diversity. He hopes to see more progress and impact from this organization in the next five years, and is eager to contribute his skills and expertise to this cause. He has never tried fundraising before, but is willing to learn and help.

Invitation: Guest Blog Posts on Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Dear Esteemed Bloggers and Influential Figures,

We believe that fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace is not just a corporate responsibility—it’s a collective commitment that transcends organizational boundaries. As we strive for progress, we invite you to lend your voice and expertise to our platform by contributing a guest blog post.

Why Guest Blogging Matters

    1. Amplifying Impact: Your insights can reach a wider audience, sparking meaningful conversations and driving positive change.
    2. Inspiring Action: By sharing your experiences, strategies, and perspectives, you empower others to take actionable steps toward a more inclusive workplace.
    3. Building Bridges: Collaboration across industries and backgrounds enriches our collective understanding of diversity and equity.

Topics We Encourage

    1. Inclusive Leadership: How can leaders champion diversity and create an environment where everyone thrives?
    2. Intersectionality: Exploring the interconnectedness of identities (race, gender, ability, first nations, etc.) and its impact on workplace dynamics.
    3. Microaggressions: Strategies to recognize and address subtle biases.
    4. Mental Health and Well-being: Nurturing an inclusive culture that supports employees’ mental health.
    5. Allyship: Practical ways to be an effective ally in the workplace.

Submission Guidelines

    • Word Count: Aim for 800–1000 words.
    • Original Content: We value fresh perspectives and unique insights.
    • Actionable Insights: Share practical tips, case studies, or personal narratives.
    • Deadline: Submissions are due by 30 April 2024.
    • Guidelines: Editorial guidelines

How to Participate

If you’re interested in contributing, please email us with a brief overview of your proposed topic. Let’s collectively shape a workplace where diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s our shared reality.

Thank you for being part of this vital conversation.

Journey to Diversity Workplaces Launches New Speakers Bureau

Barrie, Ontario, 7 February 2024 – Journey to Diversity Workplaces (J2DW), a non-profit organization that promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace, is proud to announce the launch of its new speakers bureau.

The J2DW Speakers Bureau is a service that provides high-quality speakers on a wide range of topics related to diversity, equity, safety, respect, and inclusion. The speakers are experts in their fields and have experience in engaging and inspiring audiences through virtual platforms. The speakers bureau charges on a sliding scale between $200 – $7000 per presentation plus expenses, making it affordable and accessible for various organizations and events.

Some of the topics that the speakers bureau can offer include:

    • Breaking free from systemic inequality at work
    • How to create a more inclusive and welcoming workplace culture
    • How to leverage the benefits of diversity for innovation and productivity
    • How to address and prevent discrimination, harassment, and bias in the workplace
    • How to foster allyship and solidarity among diverse groups of employees
    • How to navigate the challenges and opportunities of working in a global and multicultural environment

The J2DW Speakers Bureau is part of the organization’s mission to respect differences ethically, morally, and legally. J2DW believes that diversity and inclusion are not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do for any organization that wants to thrive in the 21st century.

To learn more about the J2DW Speakers Bureau, or to book a speaker for your next event, please visit https://j2dw.co/TTi or contact us via email.

For more information about J2DW, please visit our website at www.j2dw.ngo. You can also follow us on social media platforms such as Facebook, Threads, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or Mastodon.

Journey to Diversity Workplaces is a non-profit organization built on improving the business and social environment by championing diversity and the workers within those workplaces. J2DW was formed in 2013 by Founder and CEO Peter V. Tretter with the goal of introducing and maintaining progressive workplace policies. Ideas like higher wages and a four-day workweek are key strategic pillars for J2DW to improve the quality of life and social footprint that businesses have on their employees and communities.

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Contact:

J2DW Media Relations
705-481-1674
Email us!

J2DW SPEAKERS BUREAU

Journey to Diversity Workplaces: A New Year, A New Structure

Introducing our Changes

As we welcome the new year, we are excited to announce some changes to our structure that reflect our values and vision as an organization. Journey to Diversity Workplaces is a non-profit organization that aims to foster inclusive and equitable workplaces for people of all backgrounds and identities. We believe that diversity is not only a moral imperative but also a source of strength and innovation.

Introducing the Board of Justice Journeymakers

One of the changes we have made is to rename our Board of Directors to the Board of Justice Journeymakers. This name change reflects our recognition that our board members are not just directors, but also active participants and leaders in the journey towards social justice and diversity. They not only oversee the governance and strategic direction of our organization but also contribute their skills, experiences, and perspectives to our programs and initiatives.

The Speaker

Another change we have made is to rename the Chair of the Board to the Speaker. This title change reflects our commitment to democratic and collaborative decision-making, where the Speaker is not the sole authority but rather a facilitator and representative of the collective voice of the board. The Speaker is responsible for ensuring that the board operates in accordance with our bylaws and policies, as well as communicating with our stakeholders and partners.

Our New Bylaws and Governance Section

In addition to these name changes, we have also updated our bylaws and policies to align with our mission and values. Our new bylaws include a reference to our board’s code of conduct, which outlines the expectations and responsibilities of our board members, as well as our commitment to anti-oppression and equity. Our new bylaws also clarify the roles and duties of the board, the staff, and the members of our organization, as well as the processes for elections, meetings, and amendments.

To increase our transparency and accountability, we have also created a new governance section on our website, where you can find our current bylaws and select policies. We invite you to visit our website and learn more about how we operate and what we stand for.

We’ve made changes to our structure to reinforce our commitment to diversity and to anti-oppression.

~ Peter V. Tretter, President & CEO

Join Us on Our Journey

We are proud of the changes we have made, and we hope that they will help us achieve our vision of a more diverse and inclusive society. We are grateful for the support and feedback of our community, and we look forward to working with you in the new year and beyond.

If you are interested in joining us on our journey, we have various opportunities for you to get involved. Whether you want to become a member, a volunteer, a donor, a partner, or a participant in our programs and events, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us for more information.

Thank you for being part of our journey. We wish you a happy and healthy new year!

This article was written by J2DW CEO Peter V. Tretter.

12 Books for 2024 Challenge

A few friends of mine have a challenge of reading a new book each month, so I tried to find 12 that I could recommend to our readers. These were curated from finds at the Barrie Public Library, the Innisfil ideaLab & Library, and Goodreads.

I have not read all of these, so I cannot guarantee the quality.

Happy reading. These links are affiliate links, and J2DW may get a small commission for each sale.

Continue reading “12 Books for 2024 Challenge”

Celebrating 10 Years of Journey to Diversity Workplaces

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Journey to Diversity Workplaces (J2DW), a non-profit organization that aims to create a better work environment for everyone. We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety are not only moral imperatives but also strategic advantages that foster creativity, innovation, and connectedness. We are not just an organization but a movement.

Continue reading “Celebrating 10 Years of Journey to Diversity Workplaces”

Volunteer for Journey to Diversity Workplaces!

Are you passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety in the workplace? Do you want to join a movement that respects differences ethically, morally, and legally? If yes, then we have an opportunity for you!

Journey to Diversity Workplaces is a non-profit organization that aims to reform the workplace and introduce progressive policies that promote harmony and growth. We are looking for volunteers who can help us with our mission and vision.

We are currently recruiting for the following positions: Continue reading “Volunteer for Journey to Diversity Workplaces!”

Celebrating 10 Years

J2DW Celebrates 10 Years of Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Safety in the Workplace

Celebrating 10 Years of J2DW’s Vision and Mission for a Better Workplace

 

For Immediate Release

Barrie, Ontario, December 3, 2023 – Journey to Diversity Workplaces (J2DW), a non-profit organization that advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety in the workplace, is celebrating our 10th anniversary this month. Founded in December 2013 by a group of passionate individuals who wanted to reform the workplace and introduce progressive policies that promote harmony and growth, J2DW has grown into a network of members, partners, and supporters who share our vision and mission.

J2DW believes that the workplace should be a place where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. It believes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety are not only moral imperatives but also strategic advantages that foster creativity, innovation, and connectedness. J2DW is not just an organization but a movement that aims to transform the workplace culture and environment for the better.

Over the past decade, J2DW has been involved in various initiatives and activities that support our goals and objectives. Some of these include:

    • Producing a volunteer-run podcast called Diversity on Air, which interviews experts, leaders, and activists who share their insights and experiences on diversity, equity, inclusion, and safety.
    • Publishing a blog called Voices of our Nation, featuring articles contributed by volunteers and summer students who write about their opinions, stories, and research on workplace issues.
    • Hosted amazing speakers such as Paralympic athlete Zak Madell and former PEI opposition leader Hon. Peter Bevan-Baker.
    • Partnering with various organizations and platforms such as OnGood, Charity Village, and VolunteerMatch to increase our reach and impact.
    • Being featured in various media outlets such as the Barrie Advance, Barrie Today, and InDurham to raise awareness and recognition of our work and community.

    J2DW is proud of our achievements and milestones over the past 10 years. It is also grateful for the support and collaboration of our members, partners, donors, volunteers, staff, board members, and advisors who have contributed to our success and growth. J2DW invites everyone to join it on our journey to diversity in the workplace. Whether one is an employer, an employee, or a supporter, one can make a difference by becoming a member, a partner, or a donor. One can also listen to our podcast episodes and read our blog posts to learn more about our work and community.

    J2DW’s motto is “Respecting differences ethically, morally, and legally!” We hope to continue living up to this motto for many more years to come.

    For more information about J2DW, please visit our website at www.j2dw.ngo. You can also follow us on social media platforms such as Facebook, Threads, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or Mastodon.

    Journey to Diversity Workplaces is a non-profit organization built on improving the business and social environment by championing diversity and the workers within those workplaces. J2DW was formed in 2013 by Founder and CEO Peter V. Tretter with the goal of introducing and maintaining progressive workplace policies. Ideas like higher wages and a four-day workweek are key strategic pillars for J2DW to improve the quality of life and social footprint that businesses have on their employees and communities.

    — 30 —

    Contact:

    J2DW Media Relations
    705-481-1674
    Email us!

Notice of a Special General Meeting

Notice is hear-by given to members of a Special General Meeting to be held between 3 December 2023 – 17 December 2023 to confirm a revision to the Corporation’s bylaws. This meeting will be held exclusively on Election Runner.

A session to review the bylaw revisions will be held at 7 PM ET on Tuesday 5 December 2023 on Google Meet. Register to attend.

Draft J2DW Bylaws by Journey to Diversity Workpl…