Why do you think it matters?

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WOW - this is exciting!!  Check out this article in Bloomberg from 4th April 2024 about the move to Chair in the US...

“A young woman who has options might choose a company that said chair instead of chairman as an indication of their attitude toward women rising in the ranks,” Nancy Pelosi, who as House speaker in 2021 drove Congress to adopt gender-neutral language, said in an interview. “It’s a signal, as well as a title.”

Link to Bloomberg article  

"I am a woman and would apply to be a Chairman, I think I’m conditioned to hearing Chairman so it wouldn’t actually put me off. 

Is that weird? 

Having said that I definitely think ‘Chair’ is a more inclusive option."

"I currently am a 'Chairman' of the Parish Council and the issue of the title didn't really occur to me until we spoke, amazing what we are conditioned to accept.

I queried if this could be changed and have been told that on our Agenda and Minutes I can be referred to as "Chair" but that the role itself is a legal term set out in law so that law would need to change before I am allowed to be "Chair" for everything. I'm not sure what the actual steps are to get this to change but I will be finding out and taking them one by one!

Extract from minutes “A colleague of the Chair had been campaigning to change the term “chairman” to remove the gender assumption. The Clerk advised (after receiving confirmation from CALC) that “chairman” was a legal term which must be used in legal documentation and the AGAR, but the term “chair” could be used in agendas and minutes. It was therefore agreed to use the term “chair” on CPC agendas and minutes.”

Next step will be to find out who can do anything about changing that legal term, which I have also asked the Clerk to try and find out, so we know who to lobby. I doubt it will be swift, if at all, but no harm in trying!"

"I am a woman and would apply to be a Chairman, I think there’s more chance of positive change if you can educate from within a role!"

"I am a woman and would apply to be a Chairman, but on the condition that if successful, the post/role is renamed to “chair”, then I’d start to effect change from within and be the disrupter. Disrupting is the only way we’ll get the change we need!"

"I am a woman and would apply to be a Chairman, I’d see it as an opportunity to educate. I chaired a local fundraising committee and had a hot debate with a member who kept referring to me as 'chairman' in our press stories! He insisted that 'chair' was PC nonsense, but conceded eventually when I kept asserting the obvious - that I'm not a man!!"

"The energy sector is constantly changing. In the UK we urgently need more skilled professionals, and although it is improving, we know it is currently a male dominated industry.  We need to address the balance to ensure we have the best talent pool available coming into these roles.

From the work I've done as a leader in the sector and as a former Chair of the National Skills Academy, we know that apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships play a key part in helping us develop the skills needed.  Over the years, I’ve done a lot of work understanding how we can change the industry to be appealing for all genders and I'm clear this needs to be role modelled throughout the whole sector. One company alone cannot achieve the necessary shift.

It’s also not just about a ‘word’ in a job title. It’s about the message we are sending out to the talent we need to make our businesses inclusive and successful. We need to continue to work hard to remove any barriers in place and role model that jobs are open and available to everyone, regardless of gender or gender identity."

"In our experience, balanced leadership teams who reflect the diversity of the customers the organisation serves and the people it employees are the most effective. We work with clients to ensure that diversity and inclusion is a key consideration in how they develop their customer and employee experience to achieve this balance."

https://www.journey4.co.uk/

"Representation is about more than what we see.  The language we speak, write and read matters.  This campaign will help end preconceptions of 'could I, should I do this job?' for women.  And ultimately, more women in chairperson roles bringing broader view points and different strengths is good for us all.  A small change, that might help the change the world.  Words matter.  Get involved!" 

"An important move for inclusivity would be to eliminate gendered job titles.

By breaking free from these labels, we open doors to talent based on skills and experience rather than continuing to encourage these stereotypes from an early age.

Let's encourage everyone to feel able to pursue the career of their dreams without these limitations."