In my day job (a pleasant, if time-consuming distraction from my Rotary duties), I work in design and technology. For the past several years, this largely white and male industry has been asking itself, “Where are the Black designers?” From Maurice Cherry’s influential 2015 SXSW talk of the same name, to the proliferation of online directories of Black designers, and now a new non-profit organization working to “support, amplify, and make space for” Black designers, it’s an uphill battle. According to one industry report, just 3% of designers identify as Black.

Many American Rotary clubs have a similar challenge. In large part, that’s because most people come to Rotary through a personal invitation from a current Rotarian — and most of us simply don’t have very diverse personal or professional networks. So even as we strive to grow Rotary, our clubs end up looking like the people who are already there.

That’s a long-term problem for Rotary. We’ve all seen the statistics that prove the importance of diversity, but how much have we focused on diversifying our own professional networks?

You’ll never meet new people — especially those who don’t look like you — if you don’t put in the time and effort. To increase the diversity of your network, start spending time in spaces — and consuming content from people — that don’t match your current network. Be deliberate and intentionally step away from your usual preferences. Set a goal of meeting new people every month (and inviting them to Rotary!). In time it will become part of your routine — and will help ensure a Rotary that looks like the communities we serve.

Diverse Voices is a regular column written by rotating contributors from the Rotary District 5950 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Team. For more information about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in our district, please see our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement.