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ERG Role Descriptions
From executive sponsors to non-members, every employee plays a role in your ERG ecosystem.
The updated ERG Role Descriptions guide breaks down the individual responsibilities of each role and clearly explains why the role matters, what success looks like — and candidly states why someone should even consider taking it on.
Roles covered in this guide
For each role
Why the role exists and what the organization gains when it's done well
Responsibilities
Specific, clear expectations — not vague descriptions that leave people guessing
Why take it on
An honest case for why this role is worth a volunteer's time and energy
Role 01
Executive Sponsor
The senior leader who advocates for the ERG at the organizational level — what the role actually demands and why it matters beyond the title.
Role 02
ERG Leader / Co-Chair
The volunteer at the center of everything — responsibilities, expectations, and what a supported leader looks like versus an overburdened one.
Role 03
Committee Chair
How sub-group leadership works, what ownership looks like at the committee level, and how this role connects to the broader ERG structure.
Role 04
General Member
What active membership means and why engaged members — not just leaders — are the foundation of a healthy ERG.
Role 05
Ally / Supporter
The non-member who shows up anyway — how to define this role meaningfully and why it matters for inclusion beyond the ERG itself.
Role 06
Non-Member Employee
Every employee plays a role in the ERG ecosystem — even those who never join. This section explains why that framing matters organizationally.
Get the Guide
Used by ERG leaders and oversight managers in organizations worldwide.
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