Hello NARI Minnesota.
I’m Donella Olson, your 2020 Chapter President.
 
This statement is long overdue.  Over the past two weeks, I have struggled to put the perfect words together to address you all, with respect to the protests and rioting borne from social injustices that have far too long plagued the black, indigenous, and all minority communities of our great Twin Cities, this outstanding state of Minnesota, cities and states across our country, and those facing daily injustices throughout the world. 
 
Our hearts mourn the senseless loss of George Floyd’s life, with sympathy for his grieving family. 
Our condolences are extended to all NARI members and non-members whose lives, communities, clients, and businesses have been impacted by the destruction we have seen these past days.
To all people of color:  We see you.  We hear you.  We stand with you in peaceful protest.
 
It is difficult to comprehend the loss of property.  It is difficult to convey the solemnity and mass of the peaceful protests.  It is difficult to compose the words to express our deep concern about the systemic oppression and racial injustices that have led to George Floyd’s death as a catalyst to these events.
 
Now I say this:  Difficulty mustering the perfect words cannot cause us to remain silent.
 
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry upholds a set of essential values.
Professional: Ethical and honest; committed to high standards
Open: Diverse and respectful; inclusive of many views and dedicated to free expression
Progressive: Informed and knowledgeable; resourceful and flexible
Member Focused: Focused on the importance of success, return on investment and profit lives
We are a group dedicated to learning with and from each other, for the betterment of ourselves, our industry, and each other.
 
From education and certification, to industry connections, NARI Minnesota has served as a resource for me throughout my career.  I have found genuine connections with colleagues whom I now consider to be my friends.  Our community is well-populated with seasoned mentors, helpful volunteers, and a generally well-rounded sense of humor.  NARI Minnesota is made up of good people.  Caring people. Progressive people.  We are a proud and hardworking group.  Every one of us has worked tirelessly for our position in this world.  Some of us identify as representatives of the Noble Profession.  And yet, it is a reasonable assumption that, for a clear majority of our chapter members, our skin color has never and will never been an obstacle to our success.  Our skin color is a non-issue.  We, as a membership roster, are overwhelmingly fair skinned.  We have an amazing word-of-mouth network for growing our membership, and we thank you.  The problem lies in that network containing mostly people with a similar cultural familiarity to us.  We must expand our exposure, thereby expanding our perspectives.
 
In a conversation yesterday amongst a few of our chapter’s Executive Leaders, we expressed a shared inner turmoil.  This turmoil stems from the light that has been shone upon our privilege and complacency – our complicities.  The truth that in our personal lives, with family, friends, and strangers: comments, slurs, and acts of racism and other ‘isms are quickly and deliberately corrected.  However, far too often, in our professional lives we let it slide.  Whether we are concerned about political disparity, conflict, time, effort, or – let’s face it – making the sale… we let it slide.  We remain silent.
 
We, as a professional organization, a trusted and trustworthy community, challenge each other every day about a multitude of business, technical, and personal practices.  Why do we choose to stay silent in opportunities like these – even those of us who would not think twice to challenge racism in our personal lives?  I am not here to answer that question for each of us.  I am here to share this as one seemingly small, yet exceedingly significant daily example of white privilege. 
 
There is white privilege in a system that supports the belief that slurs and acts of racism are acceptable. 
There is white privilege in displaying these behaviors and not being corrected. 
There’s white privilege in remaining silent.
 
Our Executive Director, Beatrice Owen, has very directly brought to my and others’ attention many times, the lack of diversity in our group and the necessity for outreach.  I agree unequivocally and wholeheartedly.  When the topic of diversity outreach arises, it is understandably met with questions:  How do we do this?  Who will lead the initiative?  Do we have the resources– the time?  I will admit that I and many others before me are guilty of concluding that we do not know the answers to these questions and temporarily placing this important work on the back burner.  Not because we do not care.  Not because our leadership and members do not care.  We do care deeply.  It is because we have the luxury of believing that diversity is a “nice to have” not a “need to have.”  We have the privilege of believing that diversity can be ranked on a scale of priority and resource.  We are afforded this privilege because diversity being ranked lower on the list does not exclude us as white people.  I would like to publicly apologize and take full accountability for my part in passively deprioritizing diversity in our chapter.  I apologize that it has taken a tragedy and uprising – a disillusionment – to spark action.
 
Today I proclaim that diversity is not only front of mind – it is also high on the list.  We are forming a diversity outreach and community rebuilding task force.  We are compiling resources for those impacted by damage to property, damage to mental wellbeing, and those who seek to explore the implicit biases within themselves.  This temporary task force will be followed up by a permanent Diversity Outreach Subcommittee within our Membership Committee.  Our Programs and Education Committee will work with local Black and minority organizations to provide useful and relevant diversity training.  We will participate in rebuilding our communities.  We will partner with minority associations in the Twin Cities to help each other expand our networks, provide opportunity, and continue the personal and professional growth NARI is known for.  We are using the positions and connections that privilege has afforded us, to contribute in our own small way to the systematic undoing of centuries-long engrained biases and separations.  I take full accountability for the forward motion of diversity outreach within NARI Minnesota during my term and I charge all Presidents who follow me to take this accountability upon themselves.
 
We will no longer leave space for silence when confronted with racial or other biases.  The demand for antiracism and antiprejudice of all kinds is long overdue.  We know that NARI members are known for their enthusiasm toward consideration of differing viewpoints about business and construction related matters.  Let us also focus that enthusiasm toward our own and each other’s implicit and explicit biases.  We know that NARI members are caring and supportive.  Let us also focus our compassion toward holding space for our own and other’s vulnerability, honesty, reconciliation, and personal growth.   NARI members are known for taking organized and thoughtful action regarding issues of business, legislation, and association volunteerism.   Let us also focus that action toward much-needed change within our organization and beyond.  
 
While we are compelled to act fast in this moment, true change will take time and determination.  This is a call to action.  This is a call for change.  Please contact the NARI MN office to get involved (info@narimn.org).
 
We are compiling resources, which you can access on our blog.  This is an ongoing effort.  Check back as we add to the list.

• How to help our communities in need
• Resource for businesses impacted by fire
• Collection of Black- and minority-owned construction companies
• Racial sensitivity for yourself and your business
• Examples of racism and white privilege
• Examples of antiracism
• Infrastructure segregation in the Twin Cities
• History of Black and minority labor that built the United States
• History and explanation of systemic racism

 
NARI members are: Professional, ethical, honest; Open, diverse, respectful, inclusive; Progressive, informed, knowledgeable; Focused on the importance of success.  We strive to be the NARI that you know us to be.  Will you join us?
 
Donella Olson, CKBR
2020 NARI-MN President
Edgework Design Build 

Thank you for taking the time to read this statement.  I would like to thank all those who have reached out to engage with us on this topic.  Your supportive emails are much appreciated, as are your questions and differing perspectives.  As always, we encourage dialog among our members as an opportunity to learn from each other.  Below is a quick FAQ in response to some of these questions.
 
Diversity Statement FAQ
 
How do I get involved with this initiative?
Contact the NARI MN office at info@narimn.org to sign up or to share your resources or connections.
 
Are you saying that NARI MN members are racist?
Absolutely not.  On the contrary, we know NARI MN members to be open, welcoming, and progressive.  We know that racial diversity – and diversity of all kinds – is a fundamental value of the National Association of the Remodeling industry, to which all our members should abide.
 
Are you implying that my personal or professional network is not diverse?
We applaud your diverse network of contacts and we hope those connections serve you well.  Unfortunately, our membership numbers show that diversity within our organization has not expanded organically through those networks.  This statement announces that we will remedy this by implementing direct methods of diversity outreach and partnerships to create and expand opportunities for education, networking, and business development. 
 
Are you condoning violence and destruction to property?
We do not condone violence of any kind.  We do actively uphold the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful protest.  For further reading about the connection between protesting and civil unrest throughout United States history, please visit:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_incidents_of_civil_unrest_in_the_United_States
 
What about law enforcement?
We are grateful to all first responders and peace officers for their protection and for maintaining order where possible, as difficult and dangerous as that has been.  The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has opened an investigation regarding the Minneapolis Police Department.  This will, no doubt, be an opportunity for learning on all sides.  We look forward to this opportunity for our community leaders and residents to learn from one another, make meaningful change to policies, and move forward in a positive direction.
 
I don’t believe I am to blame for any of this.  What does any of this have to do with me?
The breadth of opinion on this topic is vast.  We have compiled a brief list of resources to help bring to light the myriad of ways that all of society has been unknowingly complicit in the disparity of social groups, and to explain the role we can all play to foster equal respect and opportunity for all.  Please visit:  https://business.narimn.org/blog/nari-mn-blog-3584/post/resources-supporting-our-community-24676  This just scratches the surface of the resources available on this topic.  If you have other resources to share, please contact the NARI MN office ( info@narimn.org ).
 
Has NARI MN ever turned away people of color who expressed interest in joining?
Not to our knowledge.  Any company wishing to join NARI MN must be vetted, through an application process and thorough background check.  We are an equal opportunity organization.  Any attempts by members to dissuade or deter any person or company based on race, religion, gender, or any other identity whatsoever, will be met with investigation and removal of the dissuading party.

This sounds like one person’s opinion.  It does not represent my views; how can I share my concerns?
There may be some instances of I/we within the statement that could be corrected – as stated at the beginning, this is not the time to pause for a perfect message.  While the statement is written from the perspective and experience of one person, the sentiment remains the same.  Diversity within NARI Minnesota is a benefit to all.  We can encourage diversity by actively reaching outside our usual networks to expand the reach of our association.  We can all play at least some part in fostering an open and welcoming environment to all new and existing members.  Our members are the lifeblood of the organization, and your feedback matters.  If you disagree with the sentiment of diversity outreach within NARI MN, please contact the office at info@narimn.org.  The Board of Directors is considering how might be the best method for your voice to be heard.
 
Is this intended to be a political statement?
It is not.  Expanding our networks and the growth of NARI MN are not political issues, regardless of race or any other identity.  Fostering inclusivity is a positive human attribute, regardless of its focus.  Personal growth can only be beneficial, regardless of its nature or origin.
 
Is this message supported by NARI Minnesota members?
This statement has the full support of the NARI Minnesota Board of Directors.  The diversity outreach initiatives described in the statement have been unanimously voted into action.  We are also grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support and encouragement from fellow members.  We would also like to thank all those who have already inquired about getting involved, and those who have yet to begin.  Our organization cannot thrive without our members, and we are so grateful for your endorsement and volunteerism.