November is host to both National Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day in the United States.
Below we offer some of the basics about each and highlight what our member organizations are doing to acknowledge both in the current virtual environment.
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush designated November “National American Indian Heritage Month.” It is also referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage month. The month gives the general public the opportunity to learn more about the diverse cultures, traditions and histories of Native people. American Indians and Alaska Natives make up about 2 percent of the total population.
The states with the highest populations are Alaska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota and Montana (in descending order).
The Library of Congress website has a multitude of resources to help educate your organization’s community about Native people in the US.
In addition, Diversity Best Practices members can access our Native American Heritage Month Resource Hub.
VETERANS DAY and NATIONAL VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES MONTH
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. Armistice Day was first celebrated in 1919 in honor of those who had served in World War I. After World War II, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day to honor all American veterans, wherever and whenever they had served.
In its 99th year, the Department of Veterans Affairs is broadening that tradition of observance and appreciation to include both Veterans and Military Families for the entire month of November.
For more information and resources, members can visit our Veterans Day Resource Hub.
We asked our member organizations what they will be doing to acknowledge and celebrate National Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day this year. Here is what they shared:
Abbott
Two employee resource groups at Abbott, a global healthcare technology company based outside Chicago, are partnering to mark Veterans Day this year with a simulcast virtual presentation.
Abbott’s Black Business Network and Veterans Network are hosting Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, the first African-American female pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps.
She will share her high energy style in a motivational speech for employees.
AbbVie
This year the AbbVie Veterans ERG Veterans day event will be a virtual event honoring the National Guard and Reserve components.
The event will feature AbbVie employees sharing their experiences serving in a reserve component.
We will also be joined by keynote speaker, Brigadier General David Warshaw US Army Reserves, an AbbVie Women’s Health Senior District manager.
Ahold Delhaize
Ahold Delhaize USA (Retail Business Services, LLC)
Retail Business Services, in partnership with Ahold Delhaize USA’s great local brands, Giant Food, Hannaford, Stop & Shop, The GIANT company, Food Lion and Peapod Digital Labs, is observing Native American History Month and Veteran’s Day.
In partnership with the Native American Business Resource Group (BRG), Retail Business Services will post a feature story on its intranet highlighting Native American cuisine with recipes for associates to learn and recreate at home.
All the recipes are diabetic-friendly due to the high rate of diabetes in Native American communities.
This information will be highlighted in weekly newsletters shared via email, as well as on the homepage of the intranet site and featured in the company’s weekly video newscast.
In recognition of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Retail Business Services is hosting several opportunities for associates to observe this day and celebrate those who have served our country.
On November 5, Retail Business Services will host a panel discussion with Nestle, PepsiCo, and Veterans Bridge Home to speak to Human Resources and Talent Acquisition teams about best practices to recruit and retain veterans within the Ahold Delhaize USA organization.
Panelists will dispel some common myths, discuss the benefits of hiring military spouses and discuss how to leverage BRGs to support new veteran hires as they transition into civilian careers. This event is open to all brands, and invitations will be sent to the specified Human Resources audiences.
Additionally, from Nov. 9 to Nov. 13, Supplier Diversity Manager, Kate Weaver, will host Vet Biz Pitch Week, a virtual, five-day event that invites 10 veteran-owned suppliers to pitch their product or services to brand stakeholders.
Each day at 8 a.m., associates are invited to tune in via Zoom to hear pitches from two veteran-owned businesses. Stakeholders across Ahold Delhaize USA’s brands will be in attendance, and the veteran-owned suppliers will generate brand exposure with the goal of working with Ahold Delhaize USA.
On Nov. 12, Retail Business Services will partner with the USO to host a virtual panel event focused on welcoming military families into the civilian workforce.
The panel will offer insights and best practices to help veterans transfer career skills and ease the transition from military life to the civilian work force. This event is open to all associates across Ahold Delhaize USA brands.
Further, Retail Business Services is supporting Wreaths Across America initiatives starting in November. Wreaths Across America is an organization that receives donations to purchase wreaths to place on veterans’ graves during the holidays.
The company’s Salisbury location has partnered with Wreaths Across America for several years, and its Veterans & Military BRG members help engage associates and raise donations for wreath sponsorships.
This year, Retail Business Services is expanding this opportunity to get involved across its East Coast campus footprint by engaging associates at other campuses virtually.
To promote the event and increase associate participation across the East Coast, Retail Business Services will produce communications shared internally via email and intranet to inform associates about how they can participate in this holiday initiative.
AlixPartners
AlixPartners recognizes First Responders Day, Veterans Day, and Remembrance Day
The Military and Uniformed Service Team (MUST) ERG is excited to announce a month-long celebration recognizing First Responders Day, Veterans Day, and Remembrance Day.
Throughout the month, we will highlight the unique and valuable perspective that veterans and other current and former uniformed service members bring to AlixPartners, particularly when it comes to building resilience and handling high-stakes, “when it really matters” moments.
Supporting our recruiting efforts among these groups is one of MUST’s most important goals, so the activities we have planned will showcase their contributions across the firm, deepen our ties with the veteran communities where we work, and share our servicemembers’ stories.
Knowledge sharing
- Military music bingo. Our Boston office is hosting a friendly game of military music bingo to foster a broader sense of community. Download and open the attached .ics file to add to your Outlook calendar (November 12, 5:30 pm EDT).
- Future of public safety panel. MUST, the Black Professionals Network, and NextGen are organizing a panel discussion on the future of public safety that will address important topics, including community policing, de-escalation tactics, and criminal justice reform (TBD)
- Wear your old uniform. Join the fun and send in pictures of you wearing a piece of your old uniform or your poppy with pride to [email protected].
Social media
- MUST profiles. Throughout the month, we will publish profiles of our people on our website that highlight how a uniformed services career prepared them to work at AlixPartners. Please “like” and share these stories on social media.
Community engagement
- MUST gift baskets. Our colleagues in Southfield will deliver thank you gift baskets to local police and fire stations that are first responders to the Southfield Town Center. Contact Debbie Toundaian for more information.
- Honoring veterans with grave site flags. Our Detroit and Boston offices will place American flags on graves for Veterans Day, November 11. Contact Debbie Toundaian for more information.
- Operation Gratitude. The Halloween Candy Give-Back Program has been connecting communities with Military and First Responder Heroes each fall since 2007. While Halloween may look a little different this year, you can still support Operation Gratitude by registering to donate excess candy here or by creating handmade greeting cards.
- Combat Stress Living Archive Project. The London office is supporting the Living Archive Project, a Combat Stress initiative to record 100 interviews with veterans on serving in the military and its impact on their mental health. For more than 100 years, Combat Stress has provided specialist treatment and support for veterans, focusing on those with complex mental health issues. The Living Archive will be released on November 8.
- Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. Held every November, the appeal is the Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign supporting veterans and their families in debt and emergency situations. Poppies are available in many UK supermarkets and can also be purchased and downloaded online. Wear your poppy with pride knowing each makes a difference to the lives of our Armed Forces community.
We hope that you will join us throughout the month to learn more about the MUST members on your teams and in your communities.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Andersen
Here is how Andersen is celebrating Veterans Day:
Military Connections Employee Resource Network Hosts Events throughout November
From producing our remarkable Victory Window during World War II to providing pay continuation for employees called to service, Andersen is a longstanding supporter of our country’s armed forces. Join the Military Connections employee resource network this month in honoring our veterans and military families.
November 2: Launch the new Military Connections Employee Resource Network resource page for employees
November 10: The Military Connections and Women Leaders of Andersen employee resource networks will host guest speaker Minnesota National Guard Brigadier General Sandy Best. This special event in advance of Veterans Day will celebrate our veterans, address inclusivity, honor women in leadership and share Gen. Best’s work to positively influence cultural change. This event is open to all employees and families able to join the call.
November 19: Andersen will hold a Digital Military Resource Fair for employees to learn more about the various benefits and services available to veterans and military members.
Andersen is proud to continue the Challenge Coin tradition with a special Andersen challenge coin, to recognize prior military service by an Andersen employee. For more information on what Andersen is offering our military employees, check out https://www.andersenwindows.com/about/life-at-andersen/veterans/
Baxter
The BaxVets Business Resource Group — which supports veterans, service members, military families and civilian partners in advancing Baxter as a best place to work — is planning several activities in recognition of Veterans Day.
BaxVets will host several events during the week of November 9th, highlighted by a virtual Veterans Day celebration webcast for all employees on November 11 and a veteran-focused career development panel discussion on November 12.
All Baxter employees are also being encouraged to record short video messages in tribute to veterans and post them on the company’s internal social media platform.
About BaxVets: BaxVets members work to foster an environment in which all veterans are valued for their diversity of experience, service and sacrifice. One of Baxter’s eight business resource groups, BaxVets also offers opportunities for networking, community outreach, volunteerism and military advocacy.
CSAA
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, CSAA Insurance Group is promoting through the company intranet platform the opening of larger events and gatherings with acknowledgment of the traditional Native inhabitants of the land.
The article will include links to the “Honor Native Land Guide” from the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture and a resource to find territory acknowledgement information for any location they reside.
Our Military Appreciation Group (MAG) is hosting the following activities regarding Veterans Day:
Enterprise-wide
- Series on company intranet site that spotlights one employee from each branch
- Virtual Veterans Appreciation Wall for images and short description for anyone who has served (employee, friends, or family) and memorabilia
- Will also link to OperationGratitude that has virtual volunteer options (including something as simple as type in a note that will get printed on a post card and included in a care package)
- Company intranet article with message from CEO Tom Troy, video from CEO honoring our Veterans, and sidebar link to a video on 13 folds of the flag and a video on POW MIA Table
Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Military Appreciation Group (MAG) will be sending an email to Veterans employees thanking them for their service.
The managers and LV MAG typically host a Veterans lunch but due to COVID that will not be possible this year.
In lieu of the lunch, the Las Vegas location will be mailing our Veterans a thank you card along with a Veteran Challenge coin shown below.
Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third’s Military Business Resource Groups Celebrate Veterans Day
Fifth Third Bank actively promotes inclusion and diversity with eight virtual Enterprise Business Resource Groups led by Enterprise committee executives and nearly 70 regional business resource groups overseen by inclusion councils in each of the Bank’s 13 regions. More than 3,800 employees take part in the in-person regional BRGs.
The Military BRGs across the Company have planned a variety of events and activities to celebrate Veterans Day:
Western Michigan: The Military BRG members delivered cards, puzzles and activity books to The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. The group partnered with The Young Professionals BRG and three local schools to create cards for the residents of the Home and employees were also invited to create cards and donate items for the veterans. Each morning the residents are given a card with their breakfast as a way to brighten their day.
Cincinnati: The Cincinnati Military BRG is participating in the Honoring Our Veterans Project, an effort to collect toiletry items, which will be donated to the Cincinnati and Ft. Thomas VA hospitals.
All employees are welcome to honor their loved ones who serve or who served in the armed forces by filling out a service shield of recognition with their loved ones’ name, which will be displayed digitally during the week of 11/9.
The group will also display a message that honors veterans on the Fifth Third LED Board on Fountain Square in Downtown Cincinnati.
Chicago: The Military BRG will be observing Veterans Day by displaying US flags, signage and flowers in the Rosemont and Riverside location lobbies and a message from Mark Hoppe, Fifth Third’s Chicago president, will be shared in a regional meeting.
The group will also display a message that honors veterans on an LED billboard in the city and at Fifth Third arena during the week of November 9.
The Florida Military BRG members shared various volunteer opportunities for its members and employees to participate in, including: distributing food to veterans and military families as part of the Soldier’s Angels Mobile Food distribution; directly supporting a veteran and military family during the holiday season through the Soldier’s Angels Adopt-A-Family program or sending a letter to a soldier through the Forgotten Soldiers write-a-soldier initiative.
As part of Fifth Third honoring its employee veterans and service members, a story about Steve Ainsworth, vice president and Commercial relationship manager in Nashville, Tennessee, will be featured on the Bank’s intranet site.
Ainsworth has served our country for more than 40 years. He recently returned to the Bank from an extended period of leading special assignments both in the United States and overseas – visiting more than 20 countries – for the U.S. Army and National Reserve.
His list of experience in the military is extensive, from his early days as a platoon leader to executive officer to commander over several divisions – including commands that led training for more than 195,000 soldiers and supported operations logistics across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He has dedicated much of his life to serving the United States, even as he worked at the Bank.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve lived a ‘double life,’” Ainsworth said, “but those with whom I’ve worked over the years at the Bank knew that I used to have a special phone for what’s known in the military as ‘official use only.’”
From 2009 through 2011, Steve was a military intelligence brigade commander, providing units of nearly 2,600 soldiers to Afghanistan and Iraq while also serving the Bank’s middle market Commercial customers.
“One of the great aspects I’ve experienced working at Fifth Third is how flexible and accommodating co-workers and leaders have been as I was serving in the military,” he explained. “Not only that, the Bank’s Core Values and those of the Army closely align.”
The Army’s values include loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage, while the Bank’s Core Values focus on cross-functional collaboration, taking accountability, being respectful and inclusive, and acting with integrity.
“Along with those values, I like to say that you measure leadership with the three Cs: character, commitment and competence,” Steve said. “And, no matter what the situation or circumstance, you treat people with fairness, dignity and respect.
“In alignment with our Core Value of Be Respectful & Inclusive, your actions reflect on you as an individual and on the organization that you represent,” Steve continued. “While I was serving overseas, I always kept in mind how important it was to respect others’ cultures and beliefs.”
Steve retired at the end of September from the Army at the rank of major general and returned to Nashville to focus on his work at the Bank and serving its communities. “It’s been an honor to serve, but I’m glad to be back,” he said.
HCSC
HCSC has several activities taking place in celebration of National Native American Heritage Month.
Our Native Americans in Progress (NAIP) BRG, who helps achieve strategic goals of promoting and supporting diversity in the workforce by encouraging leadership growth for Native Americans, will be hosting these events.
Additionally, HCSC will send out company-wide communications and leverage technology to engage employees in the activities taking place in November.
HCSC is proud to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month and the contributions of Native Americans in the workplace.
Below is a list of planned activities:
- NAIP BRG chapters will present “Understanding Native American Markets and What They Mean to HCSC.” The virtual event will focus on historical milestones, business impact, cultural context and best practices for working with tribes including personal perspectives from HCSC employees.
- Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Albuquerque HCSC employees will participate in National Rock Your Mocs Day. Employees will take group pictures wearing moccasins, turquoise ribbons and tribal regalia.
- NAIP Oklahoma will hold a personal hygiene drive in support of local veterans.
JLL
Below are a few things JLL’s VetNet Business Resource Group is doing to celebrate Veteran’s Day:
- VetNET, our Business Resource Group that connects employees with the internal and external Veteran community created a video to share with all employees across the firm that recognizes JLL Veterans and Veteran family members. The video features nearly 200 employees who sent in their picture and information.
- Created a special Veterans Day edition of The Midwatch podcast, hosted and produced by JLL’s Dan Eddinger, featuring three JLL Military Veterans: Ray Hall, Head of Human Resources for the Americas, Monica Castaneda, Facilities Manager, and Kris Dissette, Director, Project and Development Services.
- VetNET is also hosting a virtual event with Air Force Veteran Elizabeth Diss (McLean), an endurance athlete who will be talking about climbing one of the world’s deadliest mountains and how the sport of mountaineering relates to Veteran purpose.
- We are working with Wear Blue – Run to Remember on a campaign leading up to Veteran’s Day to help us stay healthy and active as we celebrate the strength, courage, and camaraderie of our service members.
Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, we are proud of our legacy of support to & engagement with the military-connected community of veterans, service members, military families, military spouses & caregivers.
In this video, we are excited to highlight our work with different partner organizations, including the Travis Manion Foundation, USO, Wounded Warrior Project, George W. Bush Presidential Center, American Corporate Partners (ACP) & Institute for Veterans and Military Families – IVMF.
We are also proud of our procurement supplier diversity activities with the National Veteran Business Development Council – NVBDC & NaVOBA and our recruiting & talent development activities with Hiring Our Heroes, Heroes MAKE America & MVPvets.
Especially honored to highlight our collaboration with United States Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership–MSEP & Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR).
We strive to be the best company for the military-connected community and appreciate our past & continued recognition in this space through Military Times, U.S. Veterans Magazine, Diversity Best Practices, ESGR, NaVOBA & others.
— Via a LinkedIn Article from John P., Head, Military & Veterans Affairs at Johnson & Johnson, Business Leader, Veteran Advocate, Presidential Scholar.
Learn more about J&J’s efforts to support Veterans.
Merck
Native American Heritage Month:
To recognize Native American Heritage Month, Merck’s Native American Global Indigenous Group (NAGIP) Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) will host a series of events including on a signature event on November 11, 2020 Veterans Day titled Billy Mills: FOOTPRINTS – Honoring the sacred dream of a Native American Hero!
This event will highlight Native American Heritage Month and recognize the incredible story and impact of Billy Mills.
Background: October 14, 1964, starting at 4:30 p.m., Marine Lt. Billy Mills, who is Oglala Lakota, laid footprints on mother earth running on a muddy, cinder track inside Tokyo, Japan’s National Stadium, winning the gold medal in the Olympic 10,000-meter run. Footprints that forever placed his race among Olympic history’s most memorable moments.
This started Billy on a lifetime journey to understand previous footprints laid upon mother earth by his Indigenous and European ancestors. Turning his victory into an opportunity to help his community, Mills founded Running Strong for American Indian Youth, a non-profit that has provided numerous opportunities and critical resources to young Native Americans and Native American communities across the United States.
MGM Resorts
For Veterans Day, MGM will highlight employee Veterans in our internal communications:
National Harbor – United States Air Force Band will partner with MGM National Harbor present a live show on November 11, 2020 to a limited, socially distanced audience (-200), and create a video product to be streamed on or before Veterans Day 2020. This video product will also be edited for possible distribution to public television stations across the country in 2021.
This event will include the premiere rock band of the United States Air Force, Max Impact, as well as members from other performing flights of the USAF Band, featured guest vocalists and/or instrumentalists, and a guest host–highlighting the service of Americans across all branches of the military. These concerts not only include musical performances featuring world-renowned guest artists, but also stirring video tributes to our men and women in uniform who serve or have served around the world.
Empire City – Installing a POW-MIA Chair of Honor and plaque on November 11th. The unveiling will likely include Chris Kelley, Ed Domingo and some Vets from the organization. The event will be recorded and then shared over different communication channels to various stakeholders.
Borgata – Will give a $25 express comp to current Military & Veterans Program (M life) members throughout November, as well as a free coffee or gelato on Veterans Day.
Springfield – Volunteering with the city to put out flags at a local cemetery.
Detroit and NFP – Working on a giveaway (t-shirt or jacket) to all active duty or veterans, as well as a FREEPLAY incentive (M life).
All year-round MGM Resorts recognizes the exceptional sacrifices and efforts of those who serve in our armed forces through a special “Military & Veterans Program” (MVP).
The program is available to any active duty military, members of the National Guard and Reserve, retired military, prior service and spouse of eligible military personnel.
MVP members receive special discounts on rooms, restaurants, shows and attractions. The MVP M life Rewards card gives an automatic upgrade to Pearl status and the benefits that accompany that M life Rewards tier.
MGM Resorts also prides itself on being an employer of choice for veterans.
For Native American Heritage Month, we are sharing stories of native student scholarship recipients internally.
MGM Resorts has partnered with the American Indian College Fund to support their Scholarship Program for the past three years.
Most of the scholarship recipients in this program attend tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), which are unique in that they have culturally rooted curriculum and community-driven programming.
New York Life
To honor Veterans and Military Families Month, New York Life’s Veterans ERG (NYL-Vets) is hosting the following events virtually:
- Veterans Day Ceremony: NYL-Vets will host a special ceremony honoring all those who have served our country in the United States Armed Forces.
- Keynote Speaker Dwayne Wagner: Motivational speaker, philanthropist, and military veteran Dwayne Wagner will join New York Life to discuss his personal experience as a military veteran and will share his insights on leadership, the veteran community, and social justice.
- Lessons we can learn from veterans TedTalk Discussion: The NYL-Vets ERG will host a conversation in our Dallas office, that will raise awareness of the veterans’ experience. The group will discuss how U.S. veterans serve at the frontlines of service to communities around the world.
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Below is a listing of our events celebrating National Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day:
Veterans Day
- November 10th at 12:00pm EST – Enterprise Virtual Event, 10 veteran speakers from across the company share their military experiences.
- Throughout the month – locations will be showcasing veteran walls and sharing refreshments
Native American Heritage Month
- November 11th – Participate in Virtual National Native American Veterans Memorial Event
- November 12th from 12:00-12:30 MST – Virtual Veteran’s Day and Navajo Code Talker Event
Northern Trust
The Northern Trust Military Appreciation and Assistance Resource Council (MAARC) is hosting a panel discussion on the topic of Returning to Civilian Life.
MAARC scheduled this event close to Veterans Day as a means to remind the attendees about observing Veterans Day. Mention of the holiday and what it means will be brought up at the end of the discussion.
There will be eight panelists who will speak on various topics, such as the immediate and long term challenges of returning home to their families and the workforce, changes in benefits, physical aspects of transitioning, etc.
Six of the panelists are Northern Trust employees, four of whom are Veterans, one is a military spouse and one is a former humanitarian and relief worker. The other two panelists are also Veterans and representing Rush University Medical Center’s Road Home Program which provides treatment to Veterans and service members who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
On November 10, an informative email will be circulated to MAARC members to explain the meaning of the holiday and encourage partners to “thank a Vet” on November 11th.
Additionally, beginning last spring, MAARC encouraged our employees to hand-knit or crochet hats and lap afghans in support of military veterans healing from cancer or other illnesses.
Our generous employees and their family members made over 25 Skull Caps and 5 Lap Afghans! These items will be distributed to VA hospitals and treatment centers throughout the country in time for Veteran’s Day.
Prudential
Prudential recognizes Veterans Day with the following activities:
Prudential Veterans Initiatives and VETNET Roundtable – Week of November 9
In honor of Veterans Day, Prudential’s Veterans business resource group, VETNET, is partnering with the company’s Office of Veterans Initiatives to host a roundtable discussion on November 9 with 10 partner veteran and military service organizations. Yanela Frias, Senior Vice President of Prudential Retirement and VETNET Executive Sponsor and Jim Beamesderfer, Vice President and Head of Veterans Initiatives will host the event.
Prudential-Rutgers University Meeting Series – November 11
This year, as part of the Pru-RU 10 for 10 Meeting Series, Prudential provided employees the opportunity to honor service members. The event will observe Veterans Day and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Pru-RU Connection. Participants include Rutgers football hero Jeremy Ito, various Veterans and Rutgers Alumni, a keynote speech from Lia Coryell a Paralympian Archer and breakout sessions for networking.
Count Me In! – November 20 deadline
To reinforce the company’s inclusive culture and help observe Veterans Day, Prudential launched Count Me In!, a four-week Self ID Campaign to encourage employees who are Veterans to disclose their military status, as well as other dimensions of diversity.
To help showcase employees with military experience, the campaign includes a dedicated internal website, storytelling through employee testimonials and thought leadership that reinforces Prudential’s inclusive culture.
Prudential’s Chairman and CEO Charlie Lowrey also thanked employees for their military service through a video message shared on the company’s all employee website.
Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program – November 12
Prudential is hosting six transitioning service members in the 12 week Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program.
The Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program (CFP) is an innovative program that provides transitioning service members with professional training and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce.
The professional development offered through the program prepares candidates for a smooth transition into meaningful civilian careers. Participating corporations benefit by gaining access to the best and brightest transitioning service members, while also developing a more comprehensive understanding of the veteran job market.
2020 TWC VET Initiative Virtual Summit
For the past several years Prudential has partnered with The Washington Center to provide a unique student veteran internship experience in DC and a one day “summit” in Newark, NJ visiting with Prudential employees.
This year the entire experience went virtual and we delayed the summit with Prudential in hopes of possibly doing “in person” in Newark. Since in person is not feasible in the near future, we have decided to move forward with a virtual version.
The VET Initiative is a semester-long internship program that provides student veterans with the opportunity to develop professional skills that will assist their transition into the civilian workforce.
Sodexo
Sodexo’s Native American and Aboriginal Council (NAAC) Employee Business Resource Group is convening throughout November to recognize the contributions American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian have made to the United States.
Activities and resources for this Federal Heritage Month align with NAAC’s theme “History, Heritage, and Tradition.” NAAC is hosting a webinar on “Expanding Awareness of Tribal Cultures” where employees will learn about the beauty and traditions of Native American and Indigenous cultures.
Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss current issues, trends, and assets impacting this community. Additionally, managers will leverage a Native American toolkit so that this month can be widely celebrated by employees, clients and customers.
Unum
In honor of National Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day, Unum is offering educational events and sharing resources to employees across our company. Throughout November, we’re highlighting:
- The partnership between Unum’s Office of Inclusion & Diversity, the Race & Ethnicity Employee Resource Group (R&E ERG) and the Veterans Networking Group (VNG).
The R&E ERG represents all current and future employees of varied races and ethnicities, empowering them to promote thoughtful discussions that advocate for all diverse people and lead us to an inclusive and positive work environment.
The VNG seeks to continue to serve others by making Unum the veteran employer of choice — focusing on the recruitment, development and retention of veteran talent across the entire enterprise.
- Nov. 11, 2020 Veterans Day virtual event: This enterprise-wide Veterans Day event recognizes the sacrifice of those who served in our armed forces during war and peacetime. This event will feature several veterans who work at Unum, community members and keynote speaker Danielle Conway, Professor of Law and retired lieutenant colonel of the U.S. Army.
- Several awareness articles including: Going From Military to Corporate Life: Unum’s Mentoring Program; National American Heritage Employee Profile; Deeper Dive into Native American Heritage Month and Indigenous Peoples Day; a guide to correctly pronouncing Native American words, names and locations specific to our Portland, Maine home office; Veteran Leader Profile: Warren Wells, assistant vice president, Government Affairs at Unum.
UScellular
At UScellular, we are celebrating Veterans Day with a festive banner graphic featured in a prominent location on our company intranet site for all associates to see in addition the following virtual events:
Our Veteran Associates Leading Organizational Results (VALOR) and Network of Black Associates (NBA) Associate Resource Groups are collaborating on a Veterans’ Day Panel Discussion. Panelists will provide UScellular associates insights into their military experiences and how the experience helped them in their career at the company.
Our Chicago VALOR chapter will also be hosting a virtual presentation of supplies to Freedom Farm for Vets, an organization the chapter has worked with for years that provides a safe place for veterans to take a break from the daily stresses of life by experiencing the rewards of another kind of service.
Verizon
Verizon celebrated Native American Heritage Month this November with the theme “Protect the Sacred,” paying tribute to the ancestry of our Native Americans and considering how we can all help serve our Tribal nations.
Verizon’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) NAV of Verizon – Native Americans of Verizon hosted a number of programs and volunteer opportunities, including a virtual walk to raise awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women epidemic. NAV also hosted a series of weekly Wellness Wednesdays, inviting members to join in and discuss mindfulness and other health and wellness topics.
Additionally, NAV partnered with the Verizon State Government Affairs team to host a panel event called “Protecting the Sacred: Balancing & Embracing Technology in Indian Country,” moderated by Rima Qureshi, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, featuring panelists Fawn R. Sharp, President – National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and President – Quinault Indian Nation, and Kimball Sekaquaptewa, Chief Technology Officer – Santa Fe Indian School. This panel focused on digital equity, the impact of Covid-19, and how non-tribal organizations can engage with tribal communities focused on a common purpose.
