By the IOA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee
In July 2020, in alignment with Goal 4 of IOA's Strategic Plan, "IOA has a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and engagement," the IOA Board of Directors established a DEIB Task Force. In July 2021, the Task Force broadened its focus and became IOA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee.
The DEIB Committee has worked diligently since its inception and we are now pleased to announce a framework designed to guide the IOA toward a more inclusive organization. The framework was voted on and approved by the IOA Board of Directors on 1 June 2022.
The DEIB Framework Is Centered on the Three Guiding Priorities of the DEIB Committee:
1. Build transparency and equity
2. Strengthen diversity
3. Enhance feelings of belonging
The framework will infuse these priorities throughout IOA by supporting and engaging with IOA Committees in goal setting and assessment. Support will be provided to each IOA Committee by liaisons from the DEIB Committee to align our work and set actionable goals with measurable outcomes. An annual assessment will be completed each year and will include revisiting and evaluating outcomes to refine the goals for the upcoming year. The DEIB Committee will utilize reports from the individual IOA Committees to inform IOA leadership and IOA members of its overall progress towards diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Board-approved framework is adaptable for all committee priorities. The framework supports each committee’s established goals and outcomes. Many of the DEIB Committee members have worked on issues of inclusion and belonging in their own institutions. DEIB liaisons will be resource partners with each committee as they establish their goals.
Becoming an anti-racist organization that demonstrates diversity, equity, and inclusion across all its functions ensures the fulfillment of collective belonging. As a long-term proposition, in the words of Dena Simmons, author, and scholar, “It has to be a commitment that you make.”1 Implementing an organizational DEIB framework is an important foundation of this essential work.
The finalized framework documents will be shared in the coming weeks. Additional updates on the implementation of this framework will be shared here on the Independent Voice, IOA's blog, and in our bi-monthly newsletter Hey IOA.
_________
1 As quoted in North, A. (2020, June 3). What it means to be anti-racist. Vox.
https://www.vox.com/2020/6/3/21278245/antiracist-racism-race-books-resources-antiracism
#GoodDayIOA Video Interview
Watch this Good Day IOA video to hear more about The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee's new framework. It features Ellen M. Miller, IOA Executive Director, and DEIB leaders Jai Calloway; Brett Hathawayy Harris; and Heidi Stensby, Ph.D., CO-OP®.