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While associations within different trades and professions are designed to pursue the best interests of those industries, they also have another priority right now: increased diversity among their ranks. According to a new study conducted by executive search firm Vetted Solutions and co-authored by David Rehr, the Senior Associate Dean at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, 81% of association leaders count diversity among the core values of their groups.

The findings were published in a recent report titled “Diversity and Inclusion: Core Values Among Associations,” and written by Rehr and Vetted Solutions President James Zaniello. The report recounted both the origins and findings of the study, which surveyed more than 225 individuals working in the association sector.

David Rehr and James Zaniello conceived the concept for the research collaboratively, based on their respective work histories. Rehr is an expert in associations, having played leadership roles for groups such as the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Beer Wholesalers Association. He has previously been named by the popular political newspaper The Hill as one of the country’s “Top Association Lobbyists.” Zaniello, meanwhile, has worked closely with associations to recruit executives and other top talent. Together, the two theorized that associations often play “a leadership role in moving the country forward,” and authored a survey to measure the importance of diversity and inclusion play in directing association efforts.

Associations are defined as collectives of people or organizations that band together in pursuit of a common goal. In other words, these groups are “associated” because of the ideas, values, or goals they share. However, in a society where diversity of thought, opinion, background, and perspective is increasingly valued, it stands to reason that diversity within associations would also be an important consideration—especially if associations do, as Rehr and Zaniello suggested, help move the country forward.

The Vetted Solutions survey revealed two primary, overarching revelations.

The first of these revelations was that associations do indeed view diversity and inclusion as vital priorities for their organizations. Of the 227 association sector executives who submitted responses to the survey, 81% said that they count diversity and inclusion among the “core values” of their associations. 73%, meanwhile, stated that they have comprehensive policies in place in their organizations to ensure diversity and inclusion. There is also evidence that even organizations that can’t claim diversity as a core value or a comprehensive policy could be moving in that direction. 84% of respondents said they believe focusing on diversity and inclusion is “the right thing to do.”