IDEA to Start the New Year
by Meredith Jespersen
As we think about the New Year, we have time to reflect and set goals to help improve ourselves and our organizations.
The questions below will help you to dive a little deeper into IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) and figure out where you stand and what more you can do.
Inclusion: Who I am? (Who are we?) The ability of our organization to attract, retain, accommodate, and involve a range of diverse people who are valued, accepted, and comfortable.
Diversity: What describes me? (us?) How do I describe/identify myself? Diversity is an inclusive concept encompassing, without limitation, race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or identity; religion, nationality, age, economic class, educational level, language, physical, mobility and ability, geography, and marital and parental status. The state of being diverse means having the broadest possible representation of individuals, experiences, and perspectives in all-encompassing terms.
Equity: How I (we) enter in (the conversation, the playing field, the workplace, socialize, etc. Creating a level playing field for individuals or groups according to their respective needs, which may include equal treatment or treatment that is different but is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities.
Access: Why it matters (How do I reorder my inner world, see through other lenses, transform myself and my sphere of influence?). The commitment to foster attitudes, behaviors, and procedures to facilitate access that promotes equity and diversity, fosters inclusion and allows people to maximize their contribution to our association and communities that our members serve.
