Welcome to your new role as an ERG Leader!

You play a vital role in helping your group grow, connect, and thrive through the LEAF Framework. As a leader, you are part of the foundation that strengthens your organization’s culture and creates opportunities for collaboration, learning, and belonging.

This guide provides the tools and structure you need to run effective meetings, keep members engaged, and celebrate success along the way. It will walk you through your first steps as a leader, clarify your responsibilities, and set you up for long-term success.

Step 1: Meet with HR or Your Executive Sponsor

Before launching your ERG, schedule a brief kickoff meeting (15-30 minutes) with HR or your assigned executive sponsor. Use this time to:

🌿 Review your ERG’s purpose and which LEAF pillar it aligns with.

🌿 Clarify your responsibilities and communication expectations.

🌿 Identify any available resources such as budgets, tools, or meeting space.

🌿 Discuss reporting requirements and cadence.

🌿 Identify how your ERG connects to your organization’s goals

As you build your group these will develop more, but it is good practice to start with a baseline idea with your HR or Executive Sponsor.

Step 2: Get to Know the LEAF Framework

Familiarize yourself with the four pillars of LEAF (Lead, Empower, Advocate, and Foster) and identify where your ERG fits. Print the following worksheet and complete with the help of your HR representative and/or sponsor.

LEAF Pillar Alignment Worksheet

Step 3: Understand Your Role

As an ERG Leader, you are a facilitator, not a manager. Your role is to guide discussion, encourage participation, and make sure the group’s efforts align with its purpose.

Your Key Responsibilities:
✔️ Schedule and run regular meetings.
✔️ Create a safe, inclusive, and engaging space.
✔️ Encourage new members to participate and take ownership.
✔️ Communicate with HR and/or your sponsor regularly.
✔️ Submit quarterly reports on your group’s progress and goals.

Navigating Challenges

Disagreement and diversity of thought are part of what make ERGs valuable. They spark growth, innovation, and understanding, but they need to be managed respectfully. Since ERGs are volunteer-based, you may also encounter moments of hesitation, low engagement, or differing opinions. Here are a few common challenges and how to handle them:

- Reach out personally to check in and re-invite.
- Ask members which topics or meeting times would engage them more.
- Offer flexibility and encouragement instead of pressure.
- Gently redirect the conversation by saying, “Let’s hear from a few others before we move on.”
- Remind the group that everyone’s input matters.
- Acknowledge the value in both perspectives.
- Find shared goals or areas of agreement to build from.
- Take a short pause or lighten the tone.
- Revisit the group’s purpose, past wins, and the positive impact you have already made.

Remember: Your role is to guide the group toward understanding, not to “fix” everything immediately.

Step 4: Connect with Your Co-Leader and Team

If your ERG has co-leads or a small planning team, meet early to align on vision and structure.

Agenda for your first leader meeting:

Share personal “why” for joining the ERG.
Define what success looks like for your group.
Assign light responsibilities (communications, events, reporting).
Create your first 90-day action plan.

Step 5: Review Key Documents & Resources

Here’s what to review before your ERG officially launches:

ERG Leader Guide: How to run meetings, track engagement, and report progress.
Kickoff Checklist: Step-by-step for your first meeting.
Sample Meeting Agenda: Use for your recurring sessions.
Reporting Template: To track goals and highlights each quarter.
Communication Templates: For announcements and follow-ups.

Step 6: Introduce Yourself to Your Members

When your ERG is ready to launch, introduce yourself with warmth and excitement.

Example Message:

Hi everyone!
I’m excited to serve as the leader for our new [ERG Name] group under the [LEAF Pillar] pillar. Our goal is to create a space where we can [insert purpose: learn, mentor, serve, or grow].

We’ll be hosting our kickoff meeting soon, and I can’t wait to hear your ideas and build something meaningful together!

Step 7: Track Your Journey

Keep a simple digital journal or shared document to capture:

🌿Wins and milestones

🌿Challenges or barriers

🌿Feedback or new ideas

🌿Member growth and engagement

This reflection helps when reporting progress and celebrating impact.

ERG Leader Material