Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Policy

Approved by the Board of Directors, June 13, 2018

Friends of Gold Butte (FoGB) is committed to becoming a model organization that provides equal opportunity and a work and volunteer environment free from discrimination. FoGB welcomes and strives to unite people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic situations, classes, religions, abilities, and ages, and empowers them as individuals and as a team. FoGB values and promotes equity, inclusion, and diversity in our board, staff, partners, supporters, volunteers, and the communities we serve.

We believe that:

  • there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations in our country and in our community, and we need to actively identify and eliminate barriers to ensure their full participation in enjoying Gold Butte National Monument (advocacy, access, stewardship, recreation, and management).
  • everyone connects and engages with nature in a way that reflects their culture, experiences, and personal preferences.
  • everyone should have access to Gold Butte National Monument and inclusive experiences within.
  • the future of conservation is tethered to connecting the diverse youth of today to the outdoors — they are the next generation of environmental advocates, public lands users, and innovators.
  • exposure and connection to the outdoors resulting from access to public lands has important physical and mental health benefits for individuals and communities.
  • a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization improves the bottom line, attracts talent, increases retention, and fosters innovation.
  • diversity yields more creative, collaborative, synergistic, and effective results.
  • engaging in drive for equity, inclusion, and diversity is essential for FoGB to continue as a leader of the public lands movement.
  • talented employees and volunteers are more likely to stay engaged in an inclusive culture.
  • equity, inclusion, and diversity are essential in achieving our mission to advance stewardship of Gold Butte National Monument through education, advocacy, and partnerships.

Our vision is for the FoGB community to reflect the diversity of our nation. As we approach this representative diversity, we envision the Monument community becoming more comprehensive and effective in our work to the benefit of all. To accomplish this vision, FoGB will engage in a set of conscious practices to incorporate equity, inclusion, and diversity into conservation priorities, program strategies, volunteer recruitment and management, workforce, structure, budget, business practices, communications, and workplace culture.

Definitions:

DIVERSITY is any dimension that can be used to differentiate people and groups of people from one another and which may be used to treat us differently in society.

Dimensions of diversity include but are not limited to differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, class, veteran status, and any other aspect of identity that makes us unique. Respect for and celebration of the diverse perspectives, work experiences, lifestyles, and cultures we each bring to the table drives innovation and allows our organization to thrive.

INCLUSION is celebrating, welcoming, and elevating diversity to a state of being valued, respected, and supported.

Inclusion is about making a conscious effort to focus on the needs of individuals and ensuring that the conditions are in place for persons to achieve his or her full potential. Inclusion should be reflected in the organizational culture, practices, decisions, and relationships that are in place to support a diverse workforce.

EQUITY is an approach that ensures all people have equal access to opportunities, whether that is access to experiences in Gold Butte National Monument, the benefits of a healthy environment including clean water and air, and volunteer, job, and partnership opportunities within FoGB and partner organizations.

CULTURAL COMPETENCE is the ability to interact effectively across various dimensions of diversity. Cultural competence involves a set of behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in systems, agencies, and among people that enable them to work effectively in cross-cultural situations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]