DEI Statement
UNITED WAY SOUTH SARASOTA COUNTY
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY
For Biennial Board Review: January 1, 2022 – January 2024
ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY STATEMENT:
United Way of South Sarasota County has a long history of commitment and proudly values serving every person in our community. As an anti-racism organization, we vow to purposefully identify, discuss, and challenge all factors of inequity and the impact(s) they have on our organization, its systems, its people, and our community. We recognize that diversity and inclusion gains will not be sustained unless our community promotes and encourages new ways of problem-solving and diversity of thought. We advocate for diverse, equitable, and inclusive practices that unite, rather than divide, our community providing all the freedom to rise because United We Rise, United We Win.
DEFINITIONS:
Equity: The intentional inclusion of everyone in society. Equity is achieved when systemic, institutional, and historical barriers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities are dismantled and no longer predict socioeconomic, education and health outcomes.
Diversity: Each individual is unique, and groups of individuals reflect multiple dimensions of difference including race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, veteran-status, familial status, residency status, socioeconomic status, mental health status, or geographical representation.
Inclusion: The value and practice of creating cultures of support and belonging in which everyone’s input is valued by the whole (group, organization, society, etc.), particularly regarding decisions that affect their lives, and in which people do their best work and are respected and honored for who they are.
Racism: Prejudice which is supported by social, institutional, and economic power. Racism manifests itself on several levels, including internally through bigotry and implicit bias, institutionally through outcome disparities, and culturally through historically racist policies and practices.
COMMUNITY COMMITMENTS:
United Way South Sarasota County stands against all forms of discrimination, racism, and injustice. We work to ensure that every person in our community has equitable opportunities to reach their full potential.
We affirm explicitly and with united solidarity our identity as an anti-racism organization.
United Way of South Sarasota County believes that every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.
United Way of South Sarasota County commits to community change by rallying non-profits, corporations, and government to work together to address, explore, and examine implicit bias and systemic advantage/oppression such to remove barriers.
United Way of South Sarasota County will continue to research, develop, and implement strategies and best practices that dismantle racism and ethnic oppression within all aspects of our community and society including the removal of barriers to quality education and financial stability to all.
United Way of South Sarasota County values work derived from and delivered within our communities- establishing resource centers, programs, and opportunities in diverse neighborhoods to provide access to job opportunities, legal assistance, and resources to assist families in building a greater future for themselves and future generations.
United Way of South Sarasota County is devoted to learning, a willingness to evolve, and expand these commitments as we lead the journey for equitable community change.
TEAM AND BOARD MEMBER COMMITMENTS:
All team and board members are expected to exhibit conduct that reflects inclusion.
All team and board members are strongly encouraged and expected to have cultural competency training to enhance their knowledge of diverse perspectives and community.
Any team or board member found to have exhibited any inappropriate conduct or behavior against others may be subject to disciplinary action or removed from United Way South Sarasota programming.