Before we get into the DISI program, we must first acknowledge the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Diversity Task Force, organized in 2007. This taskforce was appointed to analyze and make recommendations on how to attract and welcome a diverse membership to 乐竞体育赛事直播 through career advancement, education, and certification. The Task Force recognized that, as an international institute and leader in real estate management, 乐竞体育赛事直播 needed to prioritize opportunities to make diverse groups part of the 乐竞体育赛事直播 community.
One of the primary projects for the Task Force was to learn more about diversity initiatives among 乐竞体育赛事直播 chapters. They surveyed chapters focusing on mentorship, scholarship opportunities, committees, and outreach - all of which have remained priorities in today鈥檚 DISI program. Learning that many chapters did not have diversity or minority initiatives in place, the Task Force recommended the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Foundation鈥檚 Minority Outreach Scholarship as a way to support the property management education of professionals from diverse groups. Through the efforts of the Diversity Task Force, the Diversity Advisory Board was created in 2008.
The Diversity Advisory Board鈥檚 purpose was to monitor 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 efforts to attract and welcome a diverse membership to 乐竞体育赛事直播 鈥� with a focus on racial and ethnic diversity 鈥� through career advancement, education, and certification, and make recommendations to enhance 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 diversity programs. One of these recommendations was to sponsor individuals from under-represented groups and provide complimentary registration for them to attend the annual 乐竞体育赛事直播 Global Summit. These efforts became the roots of what is now the DISI program.
In 2008, five individuals were invited to attend the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Global Summit by the Diversity Advisory Board. They were also formally recognized at the event in the hope that the experience would inspire them to continue their engagement with local 乐竞体育赛事直播 chapters and events, along with strengthening ties with 乐竞体育赛事直播 at a national level. In turn, this would inspire others to follow and spread the message of diversity and inclusiveness. In 2016 this recognition was formalized as the Diversity Scholars Program.
At the time, the Diversity Scholars program recognized eight 乐竞体育赛事直播 members from underrepresented groups in the real estate management profession who demonstrated leadership skills at the chapter level; an interest in advancing their leadership skills at the national level; and a desire to advance their property management careers. They received complimentary registrations and a $1,000 travel subsidy to attend the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Global Summit. In 2019, the Diversity Scholars program was renamed DISI and increased its benefits and number of recipients to ten. Some of these additional benefits are professional mentorship, education courses, networking opportunities and greater visibility within 乐竞体育赛事直播 and the real estate management community.
Through continued reevaluation and fostering more intention on how to serve our members better, the DISI program plans to make 2023 its best year yet. In its new iteration, the program will be open to any current 乐竞体育赛事直播 member, and employees of AMO firms, with a focus on professionals of marginalized identities who have not already earned CPM certification. CPM certification is one of the most important designations a rising real estate professional can earn, and a cornerstone of 乐竞体育赛事直播鈥檚 mission to advance the real estate management profession.
DISI program benefits now include an 乐竞体育赛事直播 Foundation Scholarship for 75% of the costs of three CPM certification courses, one year of professional mentorship with an 乐竞体育赛事直播 CPM, free registration to the 乐竞体育赛事直播 Global Summit with a $1000 travel stipend, and recognition at the event. Finally, DISI Leaders also receive recognition in 乐竞体育赛事直播 publications and social media.
Things get better with time, and the DISI program has done just that. With its foundation being built over a decade ago, it has grown and evolved. So far, the program has recognized over 100 乐竞体育赛事直播 members as DISI recipients, and we鈥檙e excited to continue building this flourishing program. We take great responsibility to equip rising professionals in the best way possible. Visit our webpage to learn more.