Can you remember a time when someone made you feel as if you belonged? What did that feel like? What did that person do?
These and other questions were at the root of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Senate project to explore membership belonging within SWE. This project’s scope was solely based on SWE and not similar partner organizations. This project aimed to obtain as many perspectives as possible to understand what it means to belong as a SWE member and to provide recommendations regarding how SWE can, at all levels, cultivate a culture of belonging. To explore this topic, let’s first examine what belonging means.
There are numerous definitions of belonging. However, the definition used for this project is: “Belonging is defined as being accepted and valued for your authentic self within the SWE community.” This definition is derived from the SWE 2023 Survey Research Report by McKinley Advisors. Now that we have a definition, how did we gather information about belonging?
One central recurring theme in this project was that the quest to determine belonging is not just about data; it’s about feelings. Belonging is hard to measure, but individuals know it when they experience it. This also highlights that belonging can be an individual or a group experience.
The process that the Membership Belonging team used for gathering this information entailed posing four questions that could help us explore membership belonging. The team conducted over 60 interviews across affinity groups, global ambassadors, and many other SWE groups and individuals that were willing to engage and provide their perspectives by answering the following questions:
- What does the future of belonging look/feel like in SWE?
- What does belonging mean?
- How do we advance a global understanding of belonging?
- What is a safe space, and how can we ensure all in SWE feel that it is a safe space?
Our team identified various groups within SWE that we wanted to engage to obtain their perspectives on membership belonging. These groups were determined by considering the following factors: intersectionality, global members (various country cultures), LGBTQ+ members, neurodivergent members, and other dimensions of diversity.
We used a combination of resources to understand different perspectives on membership belonging within the SWE community. The team reviewed pre-existing survey content and reached out to specific groups, such as affinity groups, global ambassadors, and the Leadership Development Program Advanced Track (Collegiate Focus).
When we contacted the various groups and obtained survey data, we worked closely with SWE headquarters (HQ) to ensure the proper procedures and protocols were followed when accessing data or interacting with identified groups.
This data was used to review results from the pre-existing surveys or documented responses from the identified groups. Trends were noted, and patterns were obtained. In all instances, the team used the four questions identified above to extract pertinent information to help provide the upcoming conclusions and recommendations.
So, what did the data reveal? Were there any surprising results?
The data revealed patterns many on the team suspected but were now verified by a combination of data and testimonials. An overarching theme regarding this data was that for members to feel they belonged, they identified certain behaviors or actions that would assist. A high-level overview of these behaviors or actions is as follows.
Notable Trends:
- Response rate is low (consistent with current SWE engagement such as voting)
- Sense of belonging trends lower as members spend more time in the Society
- Have general elections for leadership with diverse representatives (be conscious of familiarity bias) and more financial availability to support activities
- Reevaluate leadership time commitment ― perceived as too strenuous
- Psychological safety needs to be ensured when SWE members are asked to provide feedback
- Improve the quality of and content in welcome messages
- Include information in as many languages as possible when sending out information from SWE HQ (welcome messages are one example)
- When filling out forms to select a racial and/or ethnic group, allow for multiple selections and consider adding regional-specific terminology
- Awareness of cultural practices that may impact participation in events
- Establish a SWE buddy program to match individuals to get a personal overview of all that is SWE, mainly focusing on how to get involved
- SWE Senate specific: Have each Senator introduce themselves to five to 10 people they did not know previously at a SWE event, and the Senators will send follow-up resources after the event to the individuals they met
Thank you to the SWE Senate Membership Belonging Co-Leads Valerie Thomas and Louvere Walker-Hannon, team members Monica Challenger, Taylor Daniels, Kelly Kloster Hon, Jola Ilori, Blanca Rosa Navarro Piedra, Linda Thomas, and Amanda Weissman, and Board collaborators Bianca McCartt and Karen Ramsey-Idem.
They explored this topic, reviewed data, identified trends, and shared this information with the SWE community at various levels. The identified trends are not an exhaustive list but can provide a starting point to continue to explore this topic in more depth. These identified trends and other resources will be shared with the Board of Directors to help inform their plans for the next fiscal year and beyond.
In addition to the Board of Directors and roles at various levels in SWE, a final question appears: Does each of us impact membership belonging? The team feels the answer is yes. Although the actions, behaviors, and activities may have a different look and feel at various levels, we can have an impact.
In summary, each member of the SWE community has a role to play regarding membership belonging, and we need to be more intentional about our actions regarding this topic.
Read More About the SWE Senate:
- SWE Senate Spotlight: Learn About the Senator Role
- SWE Senate Year-End Update
- Breaking Down Barriers: SWE Senate Subteam Identifies and Addresses Systemic Structures
- FY24 SWE Senate Strategic Planning Subteam Findings and Recommendations
