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Morning all. @ncvo colleagues and I are talking today about the work we've started doing on equity, diversity & inclusion at @ncvo.
We’re not doing this because we’ve got this right, or because we're a good model. We’re sharing because we hope others might learn from us. Thread.
We’re not doing this because we’ve got this right, or because we're a good model. We’re sharing because we hope others might learn from us. Thread.
What we’re sharing today is a small contribution to a wider conversation in the sector. Thanks to @charitysowhite, @acevo, @v4cengland, @ioftweets & others for leading this. We're behind. We’re confronting issues of power and privilege that we wouldn’t have done 6 months ago. /2
Our work on equity, diversity and inclusion has been incredibly hard, and emotional, for everyone.
It's been especially/most difficult for my colleagues who have been sharing their experience of injustice.
*Their* leadership is what you should admire and celebrate.
/3
It's been especially/most difficult for my colleagues who have been sharing their experience of injustice.
*Their* leadership is what you should admire and celebrate.
/3
You can read about their leadership and their work on EDI at @ncvo here: https://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2020/08/05/our-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-work-proceeding-at-the-pace-of-trust/
This is the group that has led our work. It's what I would most like people to read. /4
This is the group that has led our work. It's what I would most like people to read. /4
@ncvo also has a thriving network for colleagues from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic groups. Their experiences are here: https://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2020/08/05/bame-network-reflections-on-our-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-work/ /5
Our wider colleagues' experience and voices are also important today as we discuss equity, diversity and inclusion. They're here: https://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2020/08/05/some-staff-reflections-on-our-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-journey-so-far/
Improvement in the future will be designed by all of our colleagues. /6
Improvement in the future will be designed by all of our colleagues. /6
Because of their leadership, we’re going to address some deep-seated cultural issues. Something we’ve probably all got to do in our organisations, as the @ACEVO @V4CE V4CE Home Truths report showed.
If you haven't read that, please do - it's important: https://www.acevo.org.uk/reports/home-truths/ /7
If you haven't read that, please do - it's important: https://www.acevo.org.uk/reports/home-truths/ /7
And let’s be honest, the need to reflect includes me looking at my leadership style and behaviours. Looking at where I’ve got things wrong.
That’s been hard for me. I’ve had to unlearn a lot of what I’ve learnt about leadership. I’m getting some coaching to help me on this. /8
That’s been hard for me. I’ve had to unlearn a lot of what I’ve learnt about leadership. I’m getting some coaching to help me on this. /8
And as brilliant as my colleagues have been on leading this work, they’re clear it’s just not feasible to carry on and do their existing work at the same time.
We’ve listened to their request for protected time to work on EDI. We’re budgeting for more external support too. /9
We’ve listened to their request for protected time to work on EDI. We’re budgeting for more external support too. /9
So, @NCVO will change. And that’s a good thing. We’re making some progress and we’re hopeful about creating a much more inclusive organisation.
But it’s going to take time – culture change doesn’t happen overnight as you all know. But I am sure we can change. /10
But it’s going to take time – culture change doesn’t happen overnight as you all know. But I am sure we can change. /10
There’s more from me here on our learning so far: https://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2020/08/05/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-at-ncvo-what-we-need-to-do-next/
Just as importantly, @NCVO’s board of trustees is absolutely committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. So, they’ve also reflected on their own ways of working. /11
Just as importantly, @NCVO’s board of trustees is absolutely committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. So, they’ve also reflected on their own ways of working. /11
The board have created an EDI committee to hard-wire equity, diversity & inclusion into our governance. This will sit alongside our HR and Audit & Risk committees. It will hear directly from staff, hold leadership to account. I think this is really good governance on their part.
We’ll soon openly advertise for an independent chair for the new @ncvo Board EDI committee – so please keep an eye out for this. We’re looking for people who can help us to learn and improve. And of course hold us to account. /13
I think that will make @NCVO among the first charities with a board committee dedicated to EDI. More about this from Anne Heal, our Chair, here: https://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2020/08/05/hardwiring-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-into-our-governance-at-ncvo/
If you know of others, we’re interested in hearing about how they have worked. /14
If you know of others, we’re interested in hearing about how they have worked. /14
But back to my @ncvo colleagues. They’ve led this work and brought their whole selves to it. So although we’re talking today about how we’re trying to fix things, I want you to hear their voices:
https://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2020/08/05/our-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-work-proceeding-at-the-pace-of-trust/ /15
https://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2020/08/05/our-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-work-proceeding-at-the-pace-of-trust/ /15
Finally, these are incredibly difficult times for charities and vol orgs as we grapple with the severe impact of Covid-19. @ncvo has also been hit hard by Covid-19. But we can't (and won't) use that as an excuse to park equity, diversity and inclusion. /16
We are determined to not only support the sector through Covid-19, but to help to build back a more equitable and inclusive sector.
To do that we need to start with ourselves.
We’re at the beginning of building a different @ncvo.
/ends (apologies for such a long thread)
To do that we need to start with ourselves.
We’re at the beginning of building a different @ncvo.
/ends (apologies for such a long thread)
