How to Start an Employee Resource Group with ClickUp

Launching an employee resource group is easier and more sustainable when you structure it in ClickUp, from defining your mission to tracking impact and engagement across your company.

Based on proven ERG best practices, this guide walks through each step so you can build a strong, inclusive community that supports your people and your business goals.

What Is an Employee Resource Group?

An employee resource group (ERG) is a voluntary, employee-led group formed around a shared identity, experience, or interest.

Common examples include groups focused on:

• Race and ethnicity
• Gender identity and expression
• LGBTQIA+ communities
• Parents and caregivers
• Veterans
• Accessibility and disability advocacy
• Early-career professionals or emerging leaders

These groups create space for support, networking, development, and advocacy, while also helping organizations build more inclusive policies and programs.

Why Start ERGs in Your Organization

Employee resource groups are more than social clubs. When set up thoughtfully, they can:

• Improve retention by giving underrepresented employees a sense of belonging
• Surface issues and opportunities leaders might miss
• Support recruiting efforts and employer branding
• Provide leadership development and visibility for ERG organizers
• Help shape inclusive policies, products, and customer experiences

Using a structured workspace such as ClickUp helps turn these benefits into trackable outcomes, not just good intentions.

Step 1: Clarify the Purpose of Your ERG

Before using ClickUp or any other tool, you need a clear reason for creating the group.

Define the Core Mission

Start by answering a few questions:

• What community or need will this group support?
• What challenges are members facing today?
• How will the group benefit both members and the organization?

Turn these answers into a concise mission statement and 3–5 core goals, such as community-building, professional development, or policy advocacy.

Align With Company Values

Connect your ERG’s mission to your organization’s values and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy. This makes it easier to secure leadership sponsorship and resources later on.

Step 2: Design the ERG Structure in ClickUp

Once you know the purpose, you can organize your ERG in ClickUp so everyone understands how the group functions.

Create a Dedicated ClickUp Space

Set up a workspace area for the ERG using a Space or Folder. Inside that structure, create lists for:

• Leadership & Operations
• Events & Programming
• Communications & Marketing
• Member Feedback & Insights
• Metrics & Reporting

This keeps logistics, planning, and reporting centralized and transparent.

Define Roles and Responsibilities

Use ClickUp tasks to define and assign roles, such as:

• ERG Lead or Co-Leads
• Events Coordinator
• Communications Lead
• Finance or Budget Lead
• Executive Sponsor

Add descriptions and checklists to clarify expectations and term lengths. This supports smooth leadership transitions and avoids burnout.

Step 3: Build Your ERG Charter in ClickUp

An ERG charter documents how the group operates and what it aims to achieve.

Draft the Charter Document

Create a ClickUp Doc titled “ERG Charter” and include sections for:

• Mission and vision
• Scope and membership
• Leadership roles and selection process
• Decision-making and voting guidelines
• Events and programming expectations
• Budget and funding process
• Reporting and metrics

Share the Doc with members and stakeholders, and gather comments directly in ClickUp to finalize the charter collaboratively.

Turn Charter Items Into Tasks

Convert key parts of the charter into trackable tasks. For example:

• “Elect first ERG leadership team”
• “Define annual programming calendar”
• “Create member feedback survey”

Assign owners, due dates, and priorities so the charter quickly moves from ideas to action.

Step 4: Recruit Members and Leaders

With your foundation in place, you can invite employees to join and shape the group.

Plan Outreach in ClickUp

Use a ClickUp list for recruitment campaigns and create tasks for:

• Announcing the ERG in all-hands or town halls
• Posting in internal communication channels
• Partnering with HR or DEI teams
• Sharing personal stories from founding members

Track status, owners, and channels to ensure broad awareness across your organization.

Open Leadership Opportunities

Create an application or nomination form, and link to it from a ClickUp task so all submissions and decisions remain documented. Clarify time commitments and expectations so volunteers know what they are signing up for.

Step 5: Plan ERG Events and Programs in ClickUp

Events and recurring programs give your group momentum and visibility.

Use ClickUp to Map an Annual Roadmap

Create a roadmap list and add milestones such as:

• Monthly community meetups
• Quarterly learning or speaker sessions
• Mentorship or buddy programs
• Signature events tied to heritage or awareness months

Visualize the schedule in Calendar or Gantt views to avoid conflicts with company-wide events.

Standardize Event Planning Tasks

For each event, use a task template in ClickUp that includes:

• Objective and target audience
• Agenda and speakers
• Logistics (location, tools, accessibility needs)
• Promotion plan and deadlines
• Post-event survey and recap

This repeatable structure makes planning easier as the ERG grows.

Step 6: Measure ERG Impact with ClickUp

To secure ongoing support, you need to show how your ERG is making a difference.

Set Clear Metrics

Track both quantitative and qualitative measures, such as:

• Membership and event attendance
• Number and variety of programs
• Feedback from member surveys
• Policy or process improvements driven by the ERG
• Collaboration with other teams, such as recruiting or learning and development

Store these metrics in a dedicated list or dashboard in ClickUp, and update them regularly.

Share Regular Updates

Use ClickUp Docs to prepare quarterly or annual impact reports. Include highlights, member stories, key metrics, and recommendations for the organization.

Share these reports with executive sponsors, HR, and the broader company to reinforce the value of your ERG.

Step 7: Keep Your ERG Sustainable

Long-term sustainability matters as much as a strong launch.

Rotate Leadership and Avoid Burnout

Document processes and recurring tasks in ClickUp so new leaders can step in easily. Use task templates and checklists for:

• Onboarding new leaders
• Running regular meetings
• Planning and closing out events
• Reporting and communication rhythms

This reduces dependence on any one person and strengthens continuity.

Gather Ongoing Feedback

Schedule recurring tasks in ClickUp to review member feedback, update goals, and adjust programming. As your organization changes, your ERG’s focus and activities should evolve too.

Helpful Resources for ERG Leaders

You can learn more detailed guidance on building and running ERGs from the original article on the ClickUp blog: how to start an employee resource group.

For additional help with optimizing your ERG operations and documentation processes, you can also consult specialists at Consultevo, who focus on workflows, automation, and scalable systems.

Start Your ERG Journey with ClickUp

By clarifying your mission, designing a clear structure, and using ClickUp to centralize planning, documentation, and reporting, you can launch employee resource groups that genuinely support your people and contribute to organizational success.

Begin with a simple charter, recruit a small core team, and use your ClickUp workspace as the single source of truth for everything related to your ERG’s goals, programs, and impact.