In this guide, we will explore some simple yet effective ERG ideas and activities that you can use and make your next employee resource group event inclusive, unique, and engaging.
1) Hold a Networking Session
In order to develop a strong sense of community and boost interaction among ERG employees, host a networking session. This session will give employees an opportunity to interact and engage with seniors.
Plus, they will be able to network with peers where they can talk openly about shared goals and interests. ERGs typically include people from different departments, backgrounds, and positions. So, networking sessions are a great way to allow everyone to build deeper relationships and broaden their professional network.
2) Conduct Health and Wellness Program
Conduct a health and wellness program to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of your ERG members. And motivates them to adopt healthy habits for living a healthier life.
A U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report found that 80% of US businesses with more than 50 employees offered corporate wellness programs.
You can plan fitness challenges, such as step tracking or weight loss challenges. Plus, organize a yoga, meditation, and mindfulness session to promote well-being and reduce workplace stress. You can even invite nutritionists and encourage attendees to incorporate healthy snacks and meals into their daily lives.
Through the health and wellness program, you can encourage a healthy lifestyle and allow them to connect beyond work tasks, where they can discuss health-related concerns and set wellness goals for it.
3) Hold a Team-building Session
Team-building exercises will directly support ERG’s goal as well as foster connection and strengthen the members’ bond. Since team-bonding activities are often highly entertaining, they can create an engaging environment where ERG participants have a great time.
You can include various games such as Escape room, a Scavenger hunt, Two truths and a lie, Team trivia, Human knot, and more, and foster teamwork and create a sense of belonging among them.
4) Invite Guest Speakers
Invite a guest speaker to bring a unique voice and fresh perspective to your employee resource group events. An external speaker can generate buzz and boost the engagement of your event. Their real-life stories, achievements, inspirational speeches, and engaging talks can inspire members and strengthen the purpose of the ERG. You can invite a keynote speaker, a motivational speaker, or a famous author, and fill the event atmosphere with a positive vibe and a lot of energy.
5) Set up a Photo Booth
If you want to allow your ERG members to create shared memories that last even after the event ends, set up a photo booth. It not only boosts participation but also encourages attendees to mingle, click photos, capture candid moments, and enjoy fun experiences. Include props, backdrop, and neon lights to make the photo attractive and captivating.
You can customize the booth with your ERG’s logo, color, and theme to reinforce your brand’s core message during the event. An appealing photo booth will not only create lasting memories for your employees but also strengthen your sense of community.
6) Organize a Cultural Awareness Session
Organize cultural awareness sessions to help employees become aware of cultural festivals and celebrations. This will educate employees about different cultures and their traditions, fostering love, appreciation, and respect for them. And they will want to celebrate them further.
You can educate employees about many cultural festivals such as Lunar New Year, Black History Month, Easter, Halloween, Diwali, Christmas, and more, and get them excited to celebrate together in the office.
7) Conduct an Award Ceremony
If you wish to boost morale among your employees, conduct an award ceremony. It is the perfect way to acknowledge, honor, and reward members for their contributions and hard work. When ERG members see their work being celebrated, it can inspire them and others as well to continue contributing and engaging with the group’s initiatives.
You can offer various awards like “best performing member”, “best leader of the year”, “advocacy campaign award”, and more. By recognizing members’ efforts and offering attractive prizes, you not only boost their morale but also build a culture in a company that appreciates hard work and dedication.
8) Host an Interactive Professional Development Workshop
Since ERG events bring together people with similar characteristics, interests, and backgrounds, holding an interactive professional development workshop can provide members with tailored learning opportunities to grow and advance in their careers. You can develop their communication, leadership, public speaking, and project management skills.
Plus, you can guide them on how to balance work and personal life by giving examples of inspiring people from within your company. Through professional development workshops, you can drive employee growth, engagement, and truly create an inclusive workplace culture.
9) Host a Cocktail Party
A cocktail party is an amazing opportunity for members to mingle, enjoy cocktails, and get to know one another on a personal level. Employees from different departments in a company don’t get to interact very often. Social events like cocktail parties will boost communication among employees.
You can also include some non-alcoholic mocktails to make it more inclusive. This cocktail party will create a vibrant environment and make your employee resource group event memorable for everyone.
10) Incorporate Breakout Sessions
A breakout session is an excellent way to create a more comfortable environment in which attendees can enjoy a coffee, speak out freely, and engage in conversations organically, as well as give a break from passive listening.
Sometimes employees hesitate to speak up in front of everyone. In this case, breakout rooms allow you to divide your members into smaller groups where everyone gets an opportunity to speak, share ideas, ask questions, and build relationships with other members.
Indeed, using a breakout room, you can engage your employees in deep discussions with peers in your ERG events.
11) ERG Volunteering Activities
We often find the greatest satisfaction when we contribute to a cause that benefits the larger community. To fully engage your ERG members, work with charities or other non-profits and organize programs like mentoring underprivileged youth, donating blood, planting trees, a mentorship program for minorities, providing food to the poor & shelter to the homeless, and more. By organizing such an event, you can contribute to reducing social and environmental problems.
12) Organize a Book Discussion Session
For the busy, modern mind, book-reading can come as a much-needed respite. The right book can spark interest, curiosity, and conversation among your members. You can choose various books to discuss, such as ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen R. Covey, ‘The Power of Employee Resource Groups’ by Farzana Nayani, and more.
When members discuss the same book, it creates a common ground and shared experience among members. Once a month, you can have such a gathering to help employees gain new knowledge and come up with fresh approaches to get the ERG’s tasks done.
13) Organize a Panel Discussion
A panel discussion is a session where there are two or more speakers addressing the audience. It not only brings together speakers with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skills, but also creates an environment for richer, more nuanced discussions and goes deeper into complex topics, giving people a broader understanding of the topics.
Panelists often share fresh information that members can apply to their daily work. You can host different types of panel discussions according to your ERG goals, such as Q&A style, fireside chat, mainstage Style (where speakers will discuss specific topics), and debate style.
14) Mentorship Program
Mentoring is a type of guidance where senior or more experienced individuals guide individuals toward achieving their goals. Every employee needs mentorship support in the workplace, especially those with less experience or those just starting out on their professional journey. You can appoint a top leader in your organization as a mentor, or simply employ an external mentor who provides guidance and direction by knowing individuals’ challenges, concerns, and aspirations.
In order to make your mentorship session more tailored, you can ask employees about challenges or topics they wish to discuss. Let’s say everyone is struggling with a problem like “time management”, then the mentor will choose this topic and explain how they can effectively manage their time throughout the day to get the most from it.
15) Organize a Sponsored Trip
Organize a sponsored one-day trip for your members to get a little break from the daily grind and stress. You can take employees on a trek to experience a sense of adventure, to a nearby hill station to feel crisp air, or to a popular beach to relax and have a good time together outdoors.
Such an initiative can give employees an opportunity to interact, engage, network, and have fun together in a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.
16) Organize a Casual Outdoor Talk Session
Last but not least, host an outdoor discussion session to give your employees a chance to relax, chat, and have some fun together. It will help them get a break from their usual duties, responsibilities, or stresses.
People generally don’t mingle as much at corporate events, but they do mingle easily at casual sessions. So, plan these sessions at the rooftop terrace, park, lakeside area, or mall, and plan for some delicious meals so they all can have a fun and engaging debate.
Final Thoughts
ERG activities are all about bringing members together, engaging them, and building a stronger bond among them, which can lead to a more inclusive workplace for everyone. Not only that, ERGs also create a sense of belonging among members by organizing various events, supporting employee growth, and creating a more inclusive environment for all, which contributes to a positive company culture.
A thoughtful ERG activity will not only engage employees but also make them feel attached to the initiative. From networking sessions, health & wellness programs, and team-building activities to photo booths, guest speaker sessions, and mentorship, each idea and activity will engage the members and make your ERG event more inclusive.
FAQ
ERG activities are strategic initiatives that are designed to enhance communication, interaction, and engagement among ERG members. These activities also aim to foster a sense of belonging, support employees’ personal and professional development, and promote diversity and inclusion, which leads to a positive workplace culture. Networking sessions, professional development workshops, mentorship programs, cultural celebrations, community service, and volunteering are the common ERG activities that engage the employees and support their professional growth.
ERG activities benefit members in various ways, including
- Employees are able to expand their professional network
- Members acquire new knowledge, skills, and expertise
- Gets career development support from mentors
- Aware of diverse cultural festivals and celebrations
- Improves mental and emotional well-being
