PRIDE
About PRIDE
Employee Networking Groups are a program within Dell's overall Global Diversity strategy. Networking Groups represent a community of employees who have common interests relating to such things as ethnicity, gender, nationality, lifestyle or sexual orientation. Networking Groups must have approved charters from Dell Global Diversity and the Executive Leadership Team.
Partnering for Respect of Individuality in the Dell Environment (PRIDE) is the chartered Networking Group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) employees.
Mission and Background
PRIDE's mission is to effectively attract, retain and develop Dell's talented GLBT employees. PRIDE was founded in 2002 by and for GLBT employees and their allies. The group currently is composed of over 300 members and friends of PRIDE.
PRIDE strives to be one of the most active employee networking groups at Dell. It is focused on retention, talent acquisition and community involvement. PRIDE also partners with Global Diversity to co-host a guest speaker every June for Dell's Gay Pride Month observance.
Participating Executives
Each Networking Group has one or more Executive Sponsors, who are responsible for providing executive leadership to the group and interfacing with the Dell Global Diversity Council. Executive Sponsors must be members of the Dell Executive Leadership Team. PRIDE currently has one Executive Sponsors: Stephen F. Schuckenbrock, president, Large Enterprise.
Initiatives
PRIDE’s initiatives for this year include the following programs:
- Participation and support in community events such as Out Youth Prom, Austin Pride Parade and Festival, Out & Equal’s 2008 Workplace Summit held in Austin, Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival, Austin AIDS Walk, PRIDE Holiday Party and Holiday Swing Party.
- Support in Dell’s efforts to recruit highly qualified GLBT job candidates by evangelizing externally the value that Dell places on diversity and equality for GLBT employee, customers and suppliers. This includes participating in selected events such as Out & Equal and Reaching Out MBA.
- Support in Dell’s efforts to retain highly qualified GLBT employees by developing and conducting educational forums for employees on GLBT employee-related issues, and by coordinating networking opportunities for PRIDE members.
PRIDE addresses these initiatives through the efforts of members that volunteer to serve as a Core Team Member (up to five Core Team Members per initiative), with lots of support from the general members of PRIDE.
Support to Dell
PRIDE members provide support to Dell through a number of program and initiatives, including:
- Participation in Dell’s New Hire Buddy Program, which helps newly-hired employees learn about and navigate within Dell. Buddies also serve as a person with whom new hires can network, or start to learn more about PRIDE.
- PRIDE also organizes and promotes a variety of internal events open to all Dell employees. These include networking and social events and observances for Gay Pride Month and National Coming Out Day.
These efforts contributed to an improved workplace for GLBT employees, which has led to Dell being recognized by The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest advocacy group for GLBT Americans. The HRC Foundation has awarded a 100% score to Dell on the Corporate Equality Index and Best Places to Work Survey for five years in a row.
Cultural Awareness
PRIDE leads the planning and execution of Dell’s annual observance of Gay Pride Month each June. These observances recognize the contributions of GLBT each year. Dell’s most recent observance for Gay Pride Month featured a presentation by Lisa Sherman, executive vice president and general manager for Logo TV. Ms. Sherman talked about her path to the head of a TV station targeting the LGBT community. PRIDE also supports the observance of National Coming Out Day each year.
Community Involvement
In addition to planning and supporting internal events, PRIDE members are also active in events in the communities where Dell employees live and work. Examples of this include:
- Hill Country Ride for AIDS — Dell is a sponsor of this annual fundraising ride which benefits 10 organizations that provide HIV and AIDS services in Central Texas.
- Out Youth Alternative Prom — Out Youth hosts an alternative prom for GLBT youth each year to which the youth can bring the date of their choice. Supporting this event is an annual favorite of PRIDE volunteers.
- Austin Pride Parade — Dell is a regular participant in Austin’s Pride Parade and marched in the 2007 parade with a spectacular float and team of walkers. Dell has had award-winning floats in the parade in 2004, 2005, and 2006.
- Texas Swing — this event benefits Project Transitions, which provides services to people living with HIV in Central Texas. The fun-filled event is held during the Friday of Pride weekend in Austin, and PRIDE assembles a team of volunteers to help Project Transitions with set-up for the event.
- Viva Las Vegas — Viva Las Vegas is an annual casino-themed event that benefits AIDS Services of Austin (ASA). PRIDE provides a team of volunteers to ASA to help with the event.
- Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival (AGLIFF) — this annual festival brings the best of GLBT independent film to Austin. PRIDE supports the festival with event check-in and set-up.
- AIDS Walk Austin — this annual event raises money for HIV services in Central Texas and primarily benefits AIDS Services of Austin. PRIDE organizes a volunteer walk team and has volunteer representatives at the walk.
- Holiday Swing — one of the most popular events in the Austin community, Holiday Swing is held every December and benefits Project Transitions. Dell PRIDE supports this event with volunteers to help with event set-up.