ARLINGTON, Va. - With tighter budgetary challenges causing senior leaders to find more innovative ways to communicate to the masses, the National Guard Bureau is tapping into the online realm by hosting its first ever Virtual Diversity Conference on Jan. 18, 2012.
To achieve this, NGB will broadcast the entire conference on the Warrior Network and Defense Connect Online. This will allow Soldiers, Airmen and civilians - who would otherwise not have the time or resources to travel to a set location - to participate in a very important topic in today's military.
"The real benefit of the Virtual Diversity Conference is that all our National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and civilians can participate," said Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Denise Jelinski-Hall, senior enlisted leader of the National Guard Bureau. "Many times only selected personnel are allowed to attend conferences.
"Utilizing technology, we can bring our National Guard family from all 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia together for minimal cost; with the goal of achieving maximum impact."
The National Guard Joint Diversity Council is hosting the conference, which will cover best practices and updates, diversity and inclusion training and roles and responsibilities.
Jelinski-Hall said she and other senior leaders are excited to see the level of participation this conference will achieve and what it will do for future training initiatives.
"An important part of diversity is the inclusion of all," she said. "Hosting a virtual conference allows us to include everyone."
Adding, it will also provide an opportunity for the chief of the National Guard Bureau and other senior leaders to send one message to the entire National Guard.
"This first Virtual Diversity Conference is vitally important as it will set the 'diversity' course for future generations within the National Guard."
The virtual conference is scheduled to take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST.