Core Concepts of the Vision and Mission and Meaning of Diversity Council

I was privileged to participate in the April 30, 2011 DC Board Strategic Planning Meeting.  We did a "team-building" exercise in the form of facilitated conversations (thoughtstorm) surrounding the core meaning of Diversity Council's vision and mission.

Vision: The Diversity Council's vision is an inclusive and welcoming community in which every individual is respected.

Mission: We educate people to embrace diversity as a foundation for a healthy, prosperous and inclusive community.

Here is a summary (core concept) from the conversation as summarized by Donna:

How does an inclusive and welcoming community feel?

It feels like family, loving, supportive, healing, contentious, where each member is heard and their true self is valued and accepted.  It’s a place where open and honest conversations can happen, when each person’s reality is accepted and not dismissed or resisted.

How does embracing diversity create a foundation for a healthy, prosperous, inclusive community?

Embracing diversity is the ability to tolerate tensions that naturally come with many voices in a conversation.  A community that can deal with conflict management and is willing to value and listen to all voices is more adaptable to changes leading to growth.

Who benefits from an inclusive and welcoming community?

The community as a whole benefits from including those who are now marginalized.   There will be no longer a need to shout or struggle by those whose voices have been taken, and those who feel they must speak for the unheard and invisible.

An inclusive and welcoming community is where everyone takes ownership and the personal responsibility to be curious to be proactive to find out someone else's  story--person to person.

What one thing can the Diversity Council do for maximum leverage in creating an inclusive and welcoming community?

It begins with each board member and staff person making the commitment to listen, to understand, to be leaders in creating an environment for growth.  It means committing to stay in the conversation.

All in all the conversations and the core-concept revealed a depth and a growth that is common in all of us. My own task is to see if I can be true to the commitment to listen, to understand, and to show up (to serve, to lead).  Can I be true to becoming the change I want to see in the world?