  |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 | ||||
|
|
Booz Allen Staff Give the Diversity Film Society Rave Reviews Innovative program provides an ideal opportunity to learn about issues rarely discussed openly in the workplace. “There are many creative ways to implement diversity education, and this is just one of them,” says Booz Allen Hamilton senior consultant Eric Peterson. “This” is the firm’s Diversity Film Society—an education program that encourages idea exchange about diversity issues among staff who share a love of movies. Participants rent and watch films at home, and later meet in their offices to discuss what they learned about the cultures, themes, and characters represented. Similar to the Diversity Book Club—now active in over 30 Booz Allen locations—the Diversity Film Society fosters a more inclusive climate by supporting open, honest conversations about diversity, says Peterson, who founded the Society. “Stories presented on film are more visceral and less cerebral than stories presented in other ways,” he notes. “The Film Society allows people to experience something at a ‘gut’ emotional level and reflect on it in a thoughtful way. Viewing a film about those who are unlike you is a learning experience on its own, but the discussions about the film that take place within a group of colleagues allow learning to really take root.” Launched in July 2007, the Society has had a notable impact. San Diego consultant Jerika Soule rarely watched movies until the Film Society’s debut. “I’m really looking forward to the upcoming films,” she says. “Whether or not everyone likes the movie, we all agree that we learn something new every time we meet.” McLean-based senior consultant Emily Oehler agrees: “It’s part movie critic, part education. We see new perspectives, share personal thoughts, laugh at our commonalities, and appreciate our unique perceptions.” Six films were discussed in the Film Society’s first year: Dramas “Paradise Now," “My Left Foot,” and “Flags of Our Fathers,” and comedies “Transamerica,” “Real Women Have Curves,” and “Smoke Signals.” Twelve films are selected annually, based on diversity themes and suggestions from participants. “Grab Bag” months offer films that either repeat or fall outside the 10 themes:
An Unexpectedly Effective Resource for Diversity Education For Peterson, it all started with a casual conversation. “I’m a film buff myself, as was Patrick McLaurin, the former Director of Diversity,” he explains. “After Patrick’s death in March 2007, I thought a lot about the conversations we had about diversity issues. Several related to movies we had both seen and were incredibly enlightening to me. “I realized that this could be an important learning tool to kick-start powerful conversations about race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, nationality, power, and privilege,” he continues. “That was primary. It also had the potential of being really fun, which never hurts.” Together, the Book Club and Film Society appeal to a broad range of individuals. “Just as not everyone is a movie buff, not everyone is an active reader,” Peterson explains. “Therefore, two groups were created to include fans of either media. It’s certainly less of a time commitment to watch one film than it is to read an entire novel each month, so the Film Society has appeal to busy people who rent a few movies each month anyway.” Soule co-leads her Film Society chapter in San Diego and also participates in Booz Allen’s Diversity Book Club. “Watching a movie at home is convenient,” she says. “You can even watch part of the movie as time permits and watch the rest later.” Everyone is welcome at the meetings even if they haven’t watched the movie, but Soule says it’s more rewarding to view the movie first. “We’ve also found the meetings to be great networking opportunities.” Film Society chapter leads publicize meetings, secure meeting space, and coordinate discussions in their regional offices using guidelines Peterson prepares. For example, one question about the movie “Paradise Now” was: “This film presents the Arab-Israeli conflict almost entirely from a Palestinian point of view. Do you feel that the Israeli perspective was missing from the film?” In the film, “Transamerica,” a pre-operative male-to-female transsexual was played by a female actor. One discussion question asked how participants may have reacted differently to the film if the protagonist had been played by a man. “Diversity is an ongoing process, so simply attending a discreet diversity training class cannot teach an individual everything there is to learn,” Peterson notes. “The Film Society gives staff ongoing opportunities to discuss diversity issues. As participants increase their comfort zones around sensitive topics and gain confidence in their own value sets, they can have a more positive impact on the climate of the organization.” Active chapters of the Film Society include: Alexandria, VA; central Maryland; Charleston, SC; Columbia Square, Washington, D.C.; Leavenworth, KS; McLean, VA; Dulles, VA; Parsipanny, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; San Diego, CA; Stafford, VA; Tampa, FL; and Virginia Square, VA. “Movies Prompt a Different Kind of Discussion” Oehler joined the Film Society to meet people outside of her client project. “The meetings provide thought-provoking conversations through the fun medium of movies,” she says. “At first I was hesitant to watch ‘Paradise Now,’ which is about suicide bombers. But it was the conversation that added to the diversity experience. One of our group lived in Israel and worked in Gaza. His personal experiences and understanding of the area, combined with the movie’s story, created a conversation that broadened my mind. “I’ve enjoyed the rich conversations on unique topics I would not normally talk about,” she continues. “I’m reminded that ignorance hinders understanding and acceptance, and that education is a powerful means for change.” Soule, who is involved in Board Diversity Initiative, thinks the Film Society is also good for business. “Our clients are from virtually every culture, and there are also differences between generations at Booz Allen. We’re reminded through diversity education that all generations and backgrounds have something of value to offer the client.” She believes the Film Society may help participants retain important messages about diversity. “Unlike diversity training, movies tie the message together with entertainment and prompt a different kind of discussion, one in which you feel freer to provide your personal viewpoint. And although everyone watches the same movie, we all have different interpretations.” Oehler thinks her group is more likely to watch a movie than attend a formal workshop on the same topic. “It’s a two-hour commitment that you can do on your own time and then come in for a friendly discussion over lunch,” she says. “You don’t need to be a topic expert or have personal experience—you just open your mind. It’s also easier to be open in during a discussion of a movie than during a more formal presentation. For me, it’s not so much about the movie—I look forward to the discussion. You can learn a lot from others.” “It’s my hope that when people from different offices network and build relationships across the firm, the Film Society can be a common point of interest,” Peterson says. “Even those who don’t actively participate in the Film Society benefit when they work for an organization with a commitment to diversity. Having these conversations every month allows people to expand their comfort zones and talk about issues rarely discussed in the workplace. This enriches the experience of the participants as well as those who work with them every day.” story posted September 20, 2007 Related Links...
|
|
Home | About Booz Allen | Consulting | Consulting Services | Ideas & Insights | Contracts | News & Media | Careers Copyright 2008 Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. | All Rights Reserved | Legal Notice & Privacy Policy | Site Map | Contact Us |