Responding to a member comment, our District Governor Elect recently observed that from his view, our club "doesn't look very diverse". This Wednesday, October 1, the DEI Fellowship will continue a discussion started in April regarding how our Rotary experience might be enhanced through a more diverse membership. All perspectives and ideas are welcome. Please bring your ideas and join us at ~ 1:10 PM following the regular noon Rotary meeting.
Below are notes from that fellowship discussion. Please note item 2. "Lynne (Baker) asked each fellowship participant to bring 2 ideas to the (October) meeting as to how we can pursue a more diverse club." President-Elect Natalie Sundermeier and Membership Co-Chair Jeanie Benson will be joining us.
April DEI Fellowship Feedback/Discussion Notes:
1. DEI as relating to business is a program. DEI as relating to Rotary is a philosophy guided by our 4-way test. DEI as a philosophy has caused positive change.
2. Don't pat ourselves too hard on the back just yet. As a club we are missing out by not being more diverse. Need to purposely recruit. Could we partner with the Membership Committee? Lynne asked each fellowship participant to bring 2 ideas to August meeting as to how we can pursue a more diverse club.
3. DEI looks different depending upon life experiences such as where we've lived, education, employment etc.
4. Concept of merit especially as it refers to business/corporate/academic environment. Merit should have some weight as we strive for a goal of equity.
5. Equity seems to be the biggest stumbling block. How do we define equity?Individually? As a group? Our fellowship? RI?
6. Rotary is absolutely an outstanding example of DEI. Rotary is positivity! RI’s commitment to DEI is a policy statement. No mandate. Reinforcement of philosophy vs. program.
7. We should continue bringing challenging/informative programs to continue educating ourselves.
8. Why should we change the name? It is what it is. Our club is what it is. Do we chase change for the sake of change?
9. Definitely apply 4-way test to what we do.
10. Help younger people become members if cost is prohibitive. Membership Committee has several programs to do this. Another partnership opportunity?
1. DEI as relating to business is a program. DEI as relating to Rotary is a philosophy guided by our 4-way test. DEI as a philosophy has caused positive change.
2. Don't pat ourselves too hard on the back just yet. As a club we are missing out by not being more diverse. Need to purposely recruit. Could we partner with the Membership Committee? Lynne asked each fellowship participant to bring 2 ideas to August meeting as to how we can pursue a more diverse club.
3. DEI looks different depending upon life experiences such as where we've lived, education, employment etc.
4. Concept of merit especially as it refers to business/corporate/academic environment. Merit should have some weight as we strive for a goal of equity.
5. Equity seems to be the biggest stumbling block. How do we define equity?Individually? As a group? Our fellowship? RI?
6. Rotary is absolutely an outstanding example of DEI. Rotary is positivity! RI’s commitment to DEI is a policy statement. No mandate. Reinforcement of philosophy vs. program.
7. We should continue bringing challenging/informative programs to continue educating ourselves.
8. Why should we change the name? It is what it is. Our club is what it is. Do we chase change for the sake of change?
9. Definitely apply 4-way test to what we do.
10. Help younger people become members if cost is prohibitive. Membership Committee has several programs to do this. Another partnership opportunity?