- Form an Inclusion Committee with a mandate to guide the town in its effort to become more diverse and inclusive. It should report to the Select Board at least annually. A principle duty of the committee will be to review the town’s official policies, programs, ordinances and procedures to be sure they are free of implicit or institutional bias.
- Consider allocating a modest annual budget ($1,000 for instance) for the Inclusion Committee to cover the costs of materials and events.
- Review economic development, recruitment and employment policies to ensure they are welcoming, supportive and reaffirming of commitment to inclusion. Arrange for “implicit bias” training for city or town staff.
- Brainstorm with other adopting towns for creative ways to reach out to marginalized groups or individuals and new arrivals to give them a sense of belonging and value within the community.
- Assess current work environment for town employees; do they feel safe, welcome and appreciated? Update policies to clarify how workers can have grievances heard and reviewed in a timely, fair and comfortable manner.
- Urge local schools, non-profits, corporations, etc., to adopt a statement of inclusion and to offer bias training.
In-Depth Implementation
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