2018 Issue

65 Recommendations We have three primary recommendations for positive change: First, both Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox have stated that Utah needs more women to apply for board and commission openings. If qualified women are not found within the applicant pools, it is difficult for Utah leaders to appoint them to such roles. Hence, one critical solution is to encourage more women to apply for board and commission positions for which they are qualified. Utah residents can apply online at https:// boards.utah.gov/ . Second, state agencies and divisions must evaluate the cur- rent statutory requirements for the various state boards and commissions in terms of gender diversity. And, in addition to discovering innovative recruiting solutions so that more qualified women become aware of these opportunities, we can find ways to improve record keeping that accurately and consistently tracks gender diversity alongside political party diversity. Advocacy groups and legislators may also consider legislation that prioritizes gender diversity. Ac- cording to one source, states with legislation encouraging female appointments have a 10% higher rate of women on boards than those without such legislation. 7 Third, the state government and its agencies/divisions can curb the negative effects of conscious and unconscious bias by collecting, analyzing, and publishing data on board diversity, including obstacles interfering with the ability of some female appointees to remain on board for the full term. Exploring ways for appointing officials to keep diver- sity at a strategic and conscious level when deciding who to appoint can also be helpful. Utilizing the best practices of states and agencies nationwide that have made progress in this area can always provide innovative ideas and insights for proactive, strategic, and inclusive Utah leaders. To continue increasing women representation in positions of influence, it is vital to understand the current status of women in various contexts. Developments in the last few years are genuinely encouraging, but the tipping point will not arrive here in Utah until we begin to move from uncon- scious bias to unconscious inclusiveness. And we still have much more work to do. Note: See https://www.uvu.edu/uwlp/docs/uwlpbrief- 2016no8.pdf for a detailed appendix with a listing of all state board members (with gender data). 1 Bernardo, R. (2015). 2015’s best and worst states for women’s equality. Retrieved from https://wallethub.com/edu/best- and-worst-states-for-women-equality/5835/ ; Chu, A., & Posner, C. (2013). The state of women in America: A 50-state analysis of how women are faring across the nation. Retrieved from https://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/up- loads/2013/09/StateOfWomen-4.pdf 2 Madsen, S. R. (2015, January). Why do we need more women leaders in Utah? Retrieved from http://www.uvu.edu/uwlp/ docs/uwlpbrief2015no5.pdf 3 Ibid. 4 Lerner, D., & Skizas, C. O. (2015, July 31). Where women are on board: Perspectives from gender diverse boardrooms. Re- trieved from https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2015/07/31/ 5 Utah Boards & Commissions Website: https://boards.utah.gov/ Board 6 Grande, A. S., Klling, C., & Bauges, B. (2016, March/April). Wom- en on state boards and commissions: Is Idaho where it wants to be? The Advocate, 29–34; Marks, M. (2016, May). Proposal mandating women make up half of all city boards and commis- sions to be considered. Retrieved from http://www.sacurrent. com/the-daily/archives/2016/05/17/proposal-mandating-wom- en-make-up-half-of-all-city-boards-and-commissions-to-be- considered 7 Grande, A. S., Klling, C., & Bauges, B. (2016, March/April). Dr. Susan R. Madsen is the Orin R. Wood- bury Professor of Leadership and Ethics in the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University. Susan has been heavily involved for over a decade studying wom- en and leadership. In the past few years, Dr. Madsen released ten briefs through the Utah Women Leadership Project, which she founded, on Utah women and leadership in all sectors and settings. SALT LAKE CITY | LOGAN | PHOENIX | ST. GEORGE www.vbfa.com Providing a full RANGE of MEP services and a team dedicated to excellence. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K UEC Ad 2017_VBFA.pdf 1 2/3/2017 2:52:28 PM