Ooo, we’re halfway there...

Hello Trailblazers & Changemakers,

Think back to the end of 2024, or maybe the very beginning of this year. You were likely filled with energy and optimism, determined to make 2025 your ERG’s most impactful year yet. Maybe you laid out plans for powerful programming. Maybe you set goals around stronger partnerships, increased engagement, or deeper alignment with business objectives. Maybe you simply wanted your group to feel more connected and supported.

Now step back into the present.

We’re officially halfway through 2025. And while that may be hard to believe, it also presents the perfect moment to pause and reflect:

Are we truly on track — or are we just busy?

A Refresher on Goal Setting

Most ERG leaders are familiar with the SMART goal framework — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timebound. At Chezie, we believe in SMART goals, but we also encourage leaders to go a step further: to create goals that are rooted in real member needs and tied to organizational priorities.

This approach creates a clear throughline between your day-to-day activities and the broader business impact you’re trying to make. Here’s a quick reminder of how to build goals that actually move the needle:

• Start with a challenge. What is your community navigating right now? What pain points have come up in surveys, conversations, or leadership feedback? And what broader company goals could your ERG meaningfully influence?

• Define a solution. Your ERG brings a unique lens to the business. Use it. Whether the issue is recruiting more diverse candidates, creating leadership pipelines, or improving cultural belonging, your ERG can play a part in shaping solutions.

• Build a plan. Great ideas need structure. Define key milestones, assign roles, map out your timeline, and be realistic about the capacity you have. If resources are a challenge, advocate early and often.

• Execute — and measure. This is where many groups get stuck. It’s easy to default to event counts and RSVP numbers, but real impact looks deeper: Are you increasing member participation? Are leaders engaging more with your group? Have you influenced policy or culture in a meaningful way?

If you started the year with formal goals, now’s the time to lean into that fourth step. Because activity does not equal impact.

Ask yourself:

• Are we actually making progress, or just filling our calendars?

• Are we measuring outcomes — or simply tracking output?

• Are we telling the story of our impact, or assuming people are paying attention?

And if you didn’t set formal goals earlier this year — don’t stress. It’s not too late. This is a natural moment to pause, reset, and clarify where you want to go from here. Start simple. Ask: What did we hope to achieve this year? What’s actually happened? And what needs to shift to help us finish strong?

What’s Working — and What’s Not?

Before diving into what’s next, take an honest look at what’s happened so far. The midpoint of the year offers a unique chance to evaluate your activity, not with judgment, but with curiosity. Try looking at your ERG through a few different lenses:

• Programming: Which events actually resonated? Which ones drove meaningful dialogue, built community, or helped advance your mission? On the flip side, where did turnout or impact fall short?

• Participation: Are your members showing up consistently and contributing actively? Or have you seen engagement taper off, and if so, do you know why?

• Partnerships: Have you formed strategic relationships with other ERGs, departments, or external partners? Which collaborations drove value, and which ones felt more performative than impactful?

• Visibility: How visible is your group’s work to leadership? Have your wins — large or small — been shared across the company, or are they confined to a single Slack channel or email thread?

This isn’t just a box-checking exercise. It’s a moment to get clear about where you’re excelling, where you’re coasting, and where you need to reimagine your approach.

And remember—your goals are not set in stone. If priorities have changed, capacity has shifted, or new opportunities have emerged, revisiting your strategy is not just okay—it’s necessary.

Consider carving out space this month for a quick mid-year planning session. Even a 30-minute regroup with your core team can help surface insights, re-align priorities, and boost momentum. You might also consider sending out a brief pulse-check survey to your broader community to see what they’ve valued so far and what they want more of moving forward.

Make the Second Half Count

Here’s the truth: the second half of the year offers just as much opportunity as the first — maybe even more. The energy that comes from renewed focus, sharper goals, and a clear plan can create powerful momentum heading into Q4 and beyond.

So whether your group is right on track, a little behind, or just finding its footing, now is the time to take control of the narrative.

Let’s stop glorifying being busy for the sake of being busy. Let’s lead with purpose, reflect with honesty, and pivot with intention.

The year’s not over. Far from it.
There’s still time to deliver impact, deepen engagement, and strengthen your ERG’s role in shaping culture and community across your company.

Let’s finish strong — together.

Onward and upward,

Dumebi

If you're interested in exploring how Chezie can enhance your Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), I invite you to schedule a demo. We also offer a wealth of resources to support your ERG initiatives:

• ERG Toolkit: Comprehensive guides and templates to help you establish and manage effective ERGs.

• Blue Pages: A collection of articles and thought pieces on best practices for ERGs.

• ERG Leaders Community: Join discussions with ERG and DEI leaders to share experiences and strategies.

Lastly, connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights and updates.