NSGC members have been actively engaged in activities related to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) for many years that predate the timeline below. The activity listing is compiled with information that NSGC is aware of and is regularly updated as we receive additional information.
1992
The first D.E.I. article was published in the first issue of the Journal of Genetic Counseling.
1993
The inaugural Audrey Heimler Special Projects Award (AHSPA), in which a cultural competence-based cross-cultural genetic counseling curriculum (based on a member and training program needs assessment), the Handbook of Cross-Cultural Genetic Counseling, was created and implemented in U.S. accredited genetic counseling training programs.
1994
The "Access to Underserved Populations Subcommittee" of the NSGC Education Committee was created.
1996
The Multicultural Genetic Counseling Special Interest Group (SIG) was created.
1998
The first Special Issue on multicultural genetic counseling for the Journal of Genetic Counseling was published.
2005
The NSGC Board of Directors, under President Kelly Ormond, funds a two-day retreat in August 2005 to address racial and ethnic disparity in the NSGC membership.
2006
A report authored by Dr. Vivian Ota Wang on the 2005 retreat to address racial and ethnic disparity in the NSGC membership was presented to NSGC Board of Directors. View report
2008
A Cultural Competency Task Force was chartered to investigate ways in which NSGC could drive cultural competency within the organization and profession.
A report of the Cultural Competency Task Force was delivered to NSGC Board of Directors. View report
2010
The Genetic Counseling Cultural Competence Toolkit, supported by the 2009 Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship, was developed by Nancy Steinberg Warren as a resource for the profession. View the Genetic Counseling Cultural Competence Toolkit
2018
The Professional Issues Panel held during NSGC's 2018 Annual Conference focused on issues of diversity within the profession via discussion with invited speaker, Erica Joy Baker and NSGC President Erica Ramos
The NSGC Board of Directors included Diversity & Inclusion as one of the four pillars in NSGC's 2019-2021 Strategic Plan. View NSGC's 2019-2021 Strategic Plan
2019
NSGC formed the Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Task Force.
NSGC participated in the benchmarking survey for the Association Forum's Welcoming Environment Research study. This research shines a spotlight on the disconnect between what are identified as necessary Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategies and where these strategies are actually being implemented in professional membership associations.
NSGC's statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was approved. View statement
The report of the D&I Task Force was prepared and delivered to the NSGC Board of Directors. View summary of report
2020
NSGC issued an RFP for a DEI consultant to assess and make recommendations for NSGC to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within the society in line with the recommendations of the 2019 D&I Task Force. View the RFP
The NSGC Board established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Group to carry forward the work of the 2019 D&I Task Force.
NSGC engaged The Exeter Group, a DEI consulting firm, to assess DEI within NSGC and make recommendations for NSGC to achieve the vision outlined in our DEI statement.
NSGC established a website to serve as a resource for activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion. View NSGC's J.E.D.I web page
NSGC issued a statement on social and racial injustice. View statement
On June 9, NSGC held a forum on Social and Racial Justice.
The Exeter Group commenced data collection efforts, including a member survey, focus groups, stakeholder and staff interviews.
On July 31, NSGC held a call with key committee leaders and organizational partners to introduce the work of The Exeter Group.
The Journal of Genetic Counseling released three special issues on minority health disparities. View Volume 29, Issue 2; View Volume 29, Issue 3; View Volume 29, Issue 4
On October 1, NSGC held a webinar to introduce The Exeter Group to the NSGC membership.
The Audrey Heimler Special Projects Award was issued to Lila Aiyar, Tala Berro, Nadine Channaoui, and Michelle Takemoto for the creation of a DEI project evaluation tool. Learn more
The Exeter Group presented preliminary data from the DEI membership survey during the Professional Issues Panel at the 39th Annual Conference.
On December 15, NSGC held a call with the Minority Genetics Professional Network (MGPN) to discuss preliminary data from the DEI membership survey.
2021
The NSGC Board established the J.E.D.I. Stewardship Committee as the next iteration of the DEI Advisory Group, converting the group into a standing committee to coordinate and evaluate the effectiveness of NSGC's DEI strategy. Learn more
NSGC announced a virtual option, in addition to the in-person event, for the NSGC 40th Annual Conference.
A report of the results and recommendations from NSGC's 2020 DEI Organizational Assessment conducted by The Exeter Group was released. View report
NSGC opened a six-week comment period for input and feedback from stakeholders on how NSGC should prioritize the recommendations by the Exeter Group. The NSGC J.E.D.I. Stewardship Committee reviewed and summarized member and stakeholder input from the comment period. View a summary in Perspectives
NSGC held calls with key stakeholders, including NSGC Committee chairs, SIG leaders and organizational partners to discuss how their work may align with recommendations provided by The Exeter Group.
The NSGC Board of Directors held a strategic planning session that incorporated the input and feedback from the open comment period.
NSGC released the organization's next strategic plan, in which J.E.D.I was included as a strategic pillar and woven throughout the other pillars of the plan. View NSGC's 2022-2024 Strategic Plan
The Audrey Heimler Special Projects Award was issued to Amanda Bergner, Annie Bao, Gayun Chan-Smutko and Janelle Villiers to support their project “Intra-Professional Antiracism Dialogue & Discourse Series (IPADDS)." View "A Guide to Facilitating Dialogue and Discourse About Antiracism Among Genetic Counselors"
NSGC President, Sara Riordan, provided an update on NSGC's J.E.D.I. action steps during the annual State of Society Address at the 40th Annual Conference in September.
In November 2021, the NSGC J.E.D.I. Action Plan Task Force was formed to develop a recommended J.E.D.I. Action Plan.
2022
NSGC's first dedicated J.E.D.I. staff member was hired.
The J.E.D.I. Action Plan was approved by the NSGC Board of Directors in June 2022, and the Action Plan Dashboard is updated bi-annually on NSGC.org/JEDI. View NSGC's J.E.D.I. Action Plan
NSGC's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Policy was approved by the Board of Directors in September 2022. View NSGC's DEIB Policy
NSGC established organization-wide definitions of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion that guide and inform NSGC's work and policies. View NSGC's J.E.D.I. definitions
NSGC continues to provide conference sessions in a hybrid format (e.g., online and in person) at the 41st Annual Conference and begins including an ask in the NSGC Call for Speakers for Session Submissions to incorporate actionable J.E.D.I. into all applicable sessions.
2023
The NSGC Board of Directors and industry partners awarded $35,000 in scholarships in 2023 to NSGC members whose institutions do not provide financial support to attend the Annual Conference or for genetic counselors who are currently unemployed.
In October 2023 the NSGC Board approved reduction in Student Member dues to $50 (from $150) and launched a new All-access Membership model allowing unlimited membership in NSGC SIGs with payment of member dues to reduce cost barriers for current and potential members.
NSGC volunteers hosted multiple outreach events for high school and college students and provided free day-passes to the 42nd Annual Conference for local college students.
In partnership with the J.E.D.I. Stewardship Committee, the Education Committee re-released a J.E.D.I.-themed, CEU-eligible lecture series available at a discounted cost. Access the lecture series
NSGC published a J.E.D.I Awareness Calendar, developed by the 2022 NSGC Membership Equity, Inclusion and Implementation (E.I.I.) Subcommittee and 2023 J.E.D.I. Stewardship Committee, for staff and volunteers to refer to when scheduling meetings or events and to build inclusivity across NSGC's membership. View the J.E.D.I. Awareness Calendar
2024
NSGC hosted the inaugural Leadership Summit for Committee Chairs and the Board of Directors in January 2024.
NSGC launched the Disciplinary Procedures Process and established the Disciplinary Procedures Committee. View NSGC's Disciplinary Procedures Policy
In March 2024 the NSGC J.E.D.I. Stewardship Committee partnered with NSGC Committees and SIGs to host a webinar sharing J.E.D.I. initiatives and resources developed for NSGC members. View the webinar recording: J.E.D.I. in NSGC: Updates, Resources and Best Practices.
Upcoming Activities
NSGC is committed to sharing regular updates regarding our diversity, equity and inclusion work. To learn more detailed updates about NSGC’s progress in achieving the recommendations in the J.E.D.I. Action Plan related to Communication & Transparency, Partnership & Outreach, Education & Training, and the Annual Conference, please visit NSGC.org/JEDI to view the J.E.D.I. Action Plan Dashboard.