We wanted to provide an update on the work we are doing as board members and committee members toward fostering a more diverse, inclusive and equitable organization and culture.
- In July 2021, we formalized a contract with Dr. Roberta Hunte and Sally Eck of Heartwork Educational Consulting to work with the 107IST board, TASC and RSC.
- In October and November 2021, Roberta facilitated listening sessions. Interested BIPOC community members were invited to participate in these listening sessions — without the board or steering committees present — to engage in a safe, facilitated space and to offer experiences and feedback on how to improve the culture of belonging in our community.
- In November 2021, the board met with Roberta and Sally to hear a summary of the listening sessions’ feedback and recommendations.
- In February 2022, the board conducted strategic planning. We identified the continuing Diversity initiative as one of the top three priorities for the organization to carry out this year.
Over the next few months, we have a series of four workshops with Roberta and Sally scheduled, which include board members, the BIPOC group, and committee leads and co-leads. In broad terms, the workshops focus on:
- Recognizing oppression: what oppression is and isn't
- Strengthening our ability to hear each other and work together
- Recognizing what we each bring (as individuals) to community interactions as members (volunteers at large, as well as board and steering committee members)
- Building skills for community members to have the conversations that can interrupt oppression
The workshops are organized as follows:
- Introduction, understanding and unlearning oppression
- Intersectional frameworks for a better organization
- Who we are and why it matters
- Interrupting oppression
We held our first of four workshops this past Sunday, June 26, which focused on understanding and unlearning oppression.
Members! We are also offering in-person workshops in August and September for up to 30 107IST members! Read more and sign up here.
We know this is a work in progress. As Roberta and Sally reminded us: Accept and expect nonclosure. We look forward to continuing to learn and grow together.
