Receive a $2.00 increase for YDP position in Concrete. Receive up to $1.25 increase if bi-lingual/literate.

 

 

 

 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County, in accordance with our values of Fun, Respect, Integrity, Community, and Acceptance and our mission – to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens – is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as an employer, service provider to the community, and place for volunteer engagement. These are priorities for the organization, and if any employee, volunteer, Club member, stakeholder or other member of the community has a concern that actions or initiatives do not support this policy, they should immediately notify the President & CEO, or Board Chair, accordingly. 

Recognizing the purpose of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County and its mission is to serve those most at-risk and therefore typically underrepresented, it is integral to the success and fulfillment of the mission to enact and model practices and behaviors that will reflect the justice necessary to do so, not just when interacting within the organization, but in actively and purposefully equipping all populations with the tools necessary for self-advocacy and expression.

As an organization, we provide the following as adopted definitions:

• Diversity: The inclusion of different types of people, including but not limited to considerations regarding socio-economic status, race, culture, religion, gender or gender expression, age, political affiliation, or sexual orientation in a purposeful way that takes into account participating and having an active voice, self-expression, and celebrating one’s uniqueness free from prejudice.
• Equity: Ensuring justice according to one’s needs that secures freedom from bias or favoritism, access to opportunity and providing individualized support as necessary to realize benefit from those opportunities.
• Inclusion: Providing individualized opportunities for all that include engagement, participation, and input recognizing the organization benefits when multiple perspectives are brought together for consideration and implementation in a purposeful and intentional manner, free from judgment. 

As an organization, we are committed to:

• Prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion when making decisions including policy adoption and implementation, program development and execution, strategic planning, and who we choose to partner or do business with.
• Recognizing there are systemic injustices that must be addressed and that we must also advocate for change when appropriate, and equip our various stakeholder groups with the tools required to support this.
• Understanding that efforts that relate to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are not binary and require ongoing reflection and revision.
• Hiring staff, whenever possible, that reflect the population of Club members being served and their known demographics, but also in such a way that embraces diversity and inclusion and provides our Club members relationships with individuals that they may not otherwise have an opportunity to engage with.
• Adopting program strategies and curriculum that integrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or modifying activities in a purposeful, intentional way that results in such integration.
• Providing staff, volunteers, and Club members with regular, ongoing training and where appropriate, professional development, that supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, during regular in-service dates scheduled including Veterans Day and Presidents Day, and integrating such discussion throughout regularly scheduled meetings including local Club staff meetings and all-staff quarterly meetings.
• Ensuring a safe space for our members, volunteers, staff, and community, free from mental, emotional, or physical abuse in any form, including bullying for any reason, and to allow for appropriate expression of oneself without prejudice.

As an organization engaging multiple stakeholder groups, we are currently prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with respect to each:

• Board Leadership: Continuing to actively work to increase diversity amongst Board membership, and with equity considerations, build an Advisory Council that reflects our membership and community to inform the work of the Board.
• Staff: Continuing and expanding current efforts to provide regular, ongoing feedback and reflections from all staff members, including through open participation in the Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Committee comprised of staff, board, and other stakeholders; Securing the training necessary for staff to fully understand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and how each intersects with our mission and organizational strategies and goals.
• Club members and their families: Maintaining a culture of inclusion and educating members as to the purpose and importance of self-expression and self-advocacy; Ensuring equity in access, eliminating barriers to participation whenever possible, and monitoring membership demographics so they at least mirror those found in the community, making program changes in curriculum and location if necessary to support this.

The commitment of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is unequivocal. It is recognized that despite a significant effort to make organizational culture and practice changes, it will require continued growth and evolution. Staff, volunteers, and members should feel empowered to make their needs known to ensure the greatest success for all.