Workers with empty bins

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Statement of Intent

The Alexander Valley Winegrowers supports our membership in their efforts to bring awareness and address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the wine industry.  We recognize and embrace the contributions of members of the Alexander Valley community based on their diverse backgrounds, culture and ethnicities, identities and individual experiences.  We will support the individual and collective goals of our membership to improve access to opportunities and career development for those underrepresented based on their backgrounds.

Alexander Valley Winegrowers Policies

As part of our commitment to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we have established policies within AVW to guide our organization. We hope these can provide inspiration for creating healthy work environments throughout our community. Our policies are linked below.

Resources to Educate & Inspire

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion defined: 

Diversity in the workplace means that a company’s workforce includes people of varying gender, age, race, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation, religion, languages, education, abilities, etc.

Equity seeks to ensure fair treatment, equality of opportunity and fairness in access to information and resources for all.

Inclusion builds a culture of belonging by actively inviting the contribution and participation of all. “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”

Benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace: The benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace have become increasingly clear. Research has shown that companies that have greater workplace diversity outperform their competitors and achieve higher profits. A diversity of perspectives, skills and experiences leads to increased creativity and innovation, faster problem solving and better decision-making. And when a workplace is more inclusive, employees feel accepted and valued, which leads to more employee engagement and higher retention.

(Source: McKinsey & Company, “Delivering through Diversity”, https;//www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/delivering-through-diversity#.)

(Source: Ford Foundation, https://www.fordfoundation.org/about/people/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/)

Resources to Inspire:

AHIVOY: https://ahivoyoregon.org
AHIVOY is a nonprofit organization creating opportunities and empowering Latinx and Hispanic vineyard workers of the Willamette Valley to overcome socioeconomic challenges. We provide education and professional development, paving the way for our hardest-working community members to support their families and establish careers in the wine industry.

Be the Change: An equal opportunity initiative committed to changing the status quo through action & policy. https://www.bethechangejobfair.com
They offer Virtual Job Fairs for Wine, Beer & Spirits Industry job seekers with employers committed to diversity, equity & inclusion.

Diversity in Wine & Spirits: Advocates for equality and equity in the hospitality industry.
https://www.difb.org

Latino Partnership Program
https://oregoncf.org/community-impact/impact-areas/community-engagement/latino-partnership-program/

Napa Valley Winegrowers:
Creating and Equitable Farming Community: https://napagrowers.org/creating-equitable-farming-community
Educational videos (including Spanish): https://napagrowers.org/vineyard/viticultural-best-practices-video-series

Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation:  https://napagrowers.org/vineyard/napa-valley-farmworker-foundation
They support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workers through education and professional development

The Roots Fund: Empowers underrepresented minorities in the Wine Industry
https://www.therootsfund.org
Resources & Financial support through educational scholarships, wine education, mentorship and job placement.

Willamette Valley Winery Association: DEI Taskforce Toolkit – Resources, Articles, Video’s and More!
https://www.willamettewines.com/trade-resources/diversity-toolkit/

Resources to Educate:

U.C. Davis
DEI Program: https://diversity.ucdavis.edu/organizations

11 SUGGESTED ACTIONS TOWARD ANTI-RACISM IN THE OFFICE AND ON YOUR OWN: https://diversity.ucdavis.edu/being-ally-requires-being-anti-racist 

Sonoma State University
Links to resources: http://diversity.sonoma.edu/anti-racism-resources
Particularly helpful: https://guidetoallyship.com
Center for Community Engagement: https://cce.sonoma.edu