| Abstract
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Many largely homogenous, North American mission organizations claim they are interested in attracting a more diverse membership. Some have even taken steps toward diversity. However, few have a clear, proven, diversification strategy in mind. This article borrows heavily from the diversity literature on higher education in the United States to uncover effective principles that can inform mission organizations’ diversification efforts. The intended audience is primarily North American mission organizations seeking to diversify their membership. Nevertheless, the principles outlined are potentially transferable to mission organizations in other contexts. The article proposes the following transferable diversification strategy: 1)Revisit organization purposes. 2) Assess organizational readiness. 3) Establish a responsibility structure that sets diversity goals, develops and implements a relational strategy, and manages the resultant diversity. 4)Exercise patient persistence. Many largely homogenous, North American mission organizations claim they are interested in attracting a more diverse membership. Some have even taken steps toward diversity. However, few have a clear, proven, diversification strategy in mind. This article borrows heavily from the diversity literature on higher education in the United States to uncover effective principles that can inform mission organizations’ diversification efforts. The intended audience is primarily North American mission organizations seeking to diversify their membership. Nevertheless, the principles outlined are potentially transferable to mission organizations in other contexts. The article proposes the following transferable diversification strategy: 1)Revisit organization purposes. 2) Assess organizational readiness. 3) Establish a responsibility structure that sets diversity goals, develops and implements a relational strategy, and manages the resultant diversity. 4)Exercise patient persistence.
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