About the Survey
What is a demographic survey?
A demographic survey is typically used to obtain specific details about the individuals who work within, or are members of, an organization. This type of survey is compliant with provincial and federal human rights legislation. The questions asked focus on characteristics that make up the core identity of an individual - who he, she or they are - including, but not limited to, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability status.
Why is The Advocates’ Society conducting a demographic survey of members?
The survey is a proactive initiative to gather information and raise awareness regarding the composition of the Society's membership. It will help the Society paint a picture of our community; identify strengths and barriers to equity and inclusion; and develop and implement plans as well as supports in order to identify unconscious biases in organizational policies, processes and procedures, and to promote fairness in decision-making. The survey will provide the Society with insights into how it can develop and implement activities and initiatives to ensure an inclusive organization and a membership that reflects the broadest spectrum of the legal profession in Canada.
The responses collected from the survey will provide detailed information on generalized member identity groups while also protecting each individual’s right to anonymity. The survey will enable the Society to gather more information about the composition of its membership, in a confidential and anonymous manner.
Is the survey anonymous?
Yes. The survey is completely anonymous and is intended to identify general trends. The questions do not ask for identifying information, such as your name, and cannot be tracked back to any individual member.
In fact, anonymity is one of the requirements of collecting self-identification data in accordance with the guidelines provided by provincial and federal human rights and privacy legislation.
Why should I participate in the survey?
The more the Society knows about its members, the better the Society can connect with, and improve relationships among, its members. Without your participation, the picture will be incomplete. Understanding the composition of the Society's community will allow the Society to make improvements to become a more inclusive, respectful and representative association.
When will the survey be conducted?
The survey will be conducted between May and June 2018. Specific start and end dates will be shared soon.
Who developed the survey?
The survey was developed using the Law Society of Ontario's demographic survey as a base. This allows for comparative analysis. Anima Leadership and the Society's Diversity Task Force developed the survey together.
Why has the Society decided to conduct a demographic survey now?
The Society hopes to build on the work of the Law Society of Ontario, and particularly the Law Society’s recent report entitled "Working Together for Change: Strategies to Address Issues of Systemic Racism in the Legal Professions". Now is an appropriate time for the survey because, in determining the diversity of its membership, the Society has an opportunity to renew and enhance its commitment to member engagement, satisfaction and inclusion. The survey will help to identify practical and tangible initiatives to meet these commitments.
Why is the Society spending money on a diversity survey?
This survey is an investment which the Society believes will yield a more inclusive, thoughtful and representative association.
Who is Anima Leadership?
Anima Leadership is an award-winning company of consultants, trainers and coaches offering consulting and training services for individuals, teams and organizations in support of transformative change. The Anima Team has extensive experience leading organizations through their diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The Anima team will be led by Shakil Choudhury. To learn more about Anima Leadership or Shakil Choudhury, please visit their website at
AnimaLeadership.com.
Is the survey mandatory?
No. The survey is voluntary.
That said, The Advocates’ Society's Board of Directors requests that all members participate in the survey, as this will improve the reliability of the results and ensure that the initiatives developed from the survey meet the needs of all members. The results will help the Society set realistic equity, diversity and inclusion goals, and measure progress against those goals. Further, the information from the survey will facilitate the development of activities and initiatives to ensure an inclusive organization and a membership that reflects the broadest spectrum of the legal profession in Canada.
How will members be able to complete the survey?
Members will access the survey online, through Surveymonkey. The survey should take a few minutes to complete.
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