We continue to provide updates to broader membership on the progress we are making across the five areas of focus we have committed to improving this year. As a board we are taking intentional steps to:

• Improve accessibility.

• Hear from members.

• Communicate more.

• Increase accountability.

• Evaluate the organization’s structure and activities.  

This week, we’d like to focus on Increase accountability, specifically looking at hiring a DEI consultant and creating a 107IST code of conduct.

What we’ve accomplished

DEI consultant: This effort, with advisement from the BIPOC group, has been an ongoing effort to shortlist and request bids for engagement from organizations and individual consultants in the PNW region. With the events taking place last year on both a national stage and also within our organization, we are prioritizing this effort to make sure we continue to foster an inclusive, equitable organization and culture. 

• Next steps: We have held conversations with multiple individuals, articulating our needs and scope of efforts, and plan to make a decision in the coming weeks.
  
  

Code of conduct: Related to creating an inclusive organization is the establishment of a Code of Conduct. This effort was mentioned during our February monthly board meeting and a breakout session during our March 6 AGM. While we have an away travel code of conduct that outlines expectations for members attending away matches, a 107IST code of conduct would plainly state the norms and expectations in alignment with our ethos and the accountability to uphold these. We heard rich feedback and recommendations during the AGM session as well as those of you who reached out via email. 

• Next steps: We are taking the feedback received over the last few weeks and drafting an initial code of conduct to socialize with membership before broadly adopting.  

To read previous initiative updates click here.