IN PRINCIPLE AND IN PRACTICE:

Lip service; to say that you agree with something but do nothing to support it is harmful to our chapter. Without accountability, DEIB statements ring hollow and perpetuate continued inequities.

To make room for accountability and correction, we must make room for difficult conversations. Equity will result from appropriate policies,  practices and leadership modeling that will eliminate barriers to diversity. The driving forces behind achieving equity are valuing and supporting those who present differently, allowing differences or diversity to help achieve success in a way that hasn’t previously been done. 

 

VALUES AND SEEKS A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP:

Diverse chapters build a stronger sense of identity and have better outcomes when their diverse strengths, abilities, interests, and perspectives are understood and supported. Inclusion represents feeling respected, supported, and valued. Ensuring a welcoming environment that embraces differences and offers respect for everybody in terms of words and actions. By doing so we allow members to bring their entire, authentic selves to the chapter. To continue to have safe conversations, respect must be mutually exchanged. There is no safe space where discrimination or disrespect is tolerated.

 

FULL PARTICIPATION OF THE ORGANIZATION:

Our chapter's approach is to create a people-first DEIB strategy. This requires the ongoing support of the entire chapter. By design, our DEIB Committee is heavily focused on liaisons scattered in all corners of membership. The foundation of our DEIB efforts has been created by National, but the priorities, initiatives, and implementation belongs to our chapter members.

 

SUPPORT OUR MISSION TO EMPOWER WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS, REGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGION, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR DISABILITY:

Women’s full economic participation is critical for local prosperity and vital for community economic growth. Economic advancement empowers women in our community. Empowered women create strong foundations on which women can build their financial futures. No one should be denied the ability to create financial equity based on diversity.

 

EFFECTIVELY REPRESENT THE FULL DIVERSITY OF THE WOMEN BUSINESS OWNER COMMUNITY:

Diverse representation in our chapter allows people to feel accepted. It can shape not only how the chapter views women with different diversity but also how individuals in those unique diversities view themselves. 

 

EQUITABLY EXPAND ACCESS TO LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FULL SPECTRUM OF OUR MEMBERSHIP:

Equity-centered membership is essential because, through a sharp equity lens, we can diagnose and assess equity within the culture, policies, programs, practices, and processes within our chapter. It is critical that leaders model and set direction; as they shape an environment where equity and excellence are the standards for everyone. The leadership opportunity belongs to all of us. Some are due to titles within the chapter, and for some, it is our character and how we show up for fellow members.