Employee Resource Groups In Action

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are self-initiated, voluntary groups of employees that come together around common interests and goals. ERGs connect the Port to the wider community by engaging Port employees in community service. The Port’s ERGs have:

Raised funds for and provide scholarships
Provided food and necessary supplies for the homeless
Provided valuable information on benefits, healthcare, and education
Gathered hundreds of pounds of school supplies, food, and warm winter coats every year
Represented the Port to diverse King County communities by participating in parades, community service and recruiting events.

Employee resource groups make the Port a better place to work by contributing employee hiring, retention and engagement and providing leadership and career development opportunities. Finally, ERGs contribute to the Port’s mission and bring the organization’s values to life.

	Home for Asians & Pacific Islanders (HAPI) The mission of Home for Asians & Pacific Islanders is to educate and connect the Port of Seattle to the Asian and Pacific Islander community. We also celebrate the rich and vast diversity of the Asian & Pacific Islander community by promoting and sponsoring events. Additionally, we foster active involvement with local Asian & Pacific Islander non-profit organizations by volunteering, sponsoring donation events, and other related activities to build and support local communities.
	Administrative Services at the Port (ASAP) ASAP works together to create career development opportunities for administrative professionals, to utilize administrative staff resources efficiently and effectively, and to come together to feel fully included and valued at the Port of Seattle.
	Blacks in Government (BIG) Blacks In Government was organized in 1975 and incorporated as a non-profit organization under the District of Columbia jurisdiction in 1976. BIG has been a national response to the need for African Americans in public service to organize around issues of mutual concern and use their collective strength to confront workplace and community issues. BIG's goals are to promote EQUITY in all aspects of American life, EXCELLENCE in public service, and OPPORTUNITY for all Americans. The Port of Seattle chapter of Blacks In Government was established in 1993, and currently has a membership of more than 70 Port employees.
	Diversity Firefighters Association The Port of Seattle Diversity Firefighters Association was established in 1985 and recently became a 501c Charitable Organization. DFA is dedicated to promoting diversity and equality among Port of Seattle Firefighters through leadership , professional development, and empowerment with dedication to Honor, Brotherhood, and Discipline. We serve our surrounding Port of Seattle Puget Sound communities, volunteering time and donating , helping needy families at Christmas and Thanksgiving, Food Banks, and annual Firefighter Scholarships.
	Latinos Unidos The mission of Latinos Unidos is to educate and connect Port of Seattle to the Latino communities and enable the company’s vision of partnering with surrounding communities by becoming an important link between schools and Latino professionals. We mobilize Latino employees to serve as active role models to the Latino student population in our area and build a pipeline within the Port of Seattle through aiding in recruiting, retaining, and advancing current and future employees of Latino descent.
	Military and Veterans at the Port (MVP) The Port has been a proud supporter of veterans, reservists and National Guard members for quite some time. Formalized support of veterans started with a few passionate employees in the human resources department and a supportive executive team. The Port created the Veterans Fellowship Program to help veterans transitioning out of the military. One of the fellows, Danielle Malosh, formed the Employee Resource Group called Military and Veterans at the Port to bring veterans and advocates together for community support. MVP exists to provide a community in support of military members, veterans, their family and advocates, and directly supports the Port’s Diversity & Development Strategy.
	National Management Association (NMA) NMA is where Port employees meet to develop their leadership competencies and grow their interpersonal skills.
	Native American Committee We exist to be a resource throughout the Port and to community members interested in Native American culture and issues and demonstrate traditional, inclusive behavior of Native Americans.
	Port Association of Volunteer Employees (PAVE) PAVE is dedicated to connecting Port employees with a mutual interest in volunteering and participating in charitable activities.
	Port-wide Pride Port-Wide Pride (PWP) is the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBT+) Employee Resource Group (ERG) at the Port of Seattle and also includes employees who are supportive allies. We work to promote a positive and inclusive work environment for all LGBT+ employees, to implement diversity initiatives Port-wide, and to create a sense of community acknowledging that diversity contributes to the successful achievement of both personal and Port goals. Port-wide Pride and the Port of Seattle have participated in the Seattle Pride Parade for over fifteen years.
	VOICE Voice of Immigrants Committed to Equity (VOICE) includes Port employees who identify as immigrants, refugees, people who speak multiple languages, global citizens, multicultural employees, and allies.
	Women’s Initiative The mission of the Port of Seattle Women’s Initiative is to advance the mission of the Port by enhancing the inclusion, capability, and equity of the women who work here.