How will this initiative expand diverse participation in the Diversity and Equity Initiative?
The Diversity and Equity Initiative is currently composed of 18 people – 8 club members and 10 committee members who were invited from the waitlist to participate. As members of the committee cycle off in the late spring, club members and people on the waitlist will again be invited to apply for membership on the committee. To achieve diverse perspectives, no more than 50% of the total Diversity and Equity Initiative membership will self-identify as the same race (using US Census race and ethnicity categories). All project participants will work together on two Social Justice Subcommittees (Membership and Culture and Education).
What is the application process from the waitlist?
All individuals on the waitlist will receive a description of the purpose and scope of this initiative as well as an invitation to apply to this voluntary project. Those who have been on the waitlist the longest, and who meet the diversity criteria, will be given priority to join the Diversity and Equity Initiative. 8 people from the waitlist will complete a one-year term by actively participating in at least 75% of the committee meetings and will then become full members regardless of their original position on the waitlist. This may displace those at the top of the waitlist and result in a brief delay in advancement to membership.
History
On Dec 15, 2021, the Irvington Club Board of Trustees approved a proposal from the Diversity and Equity Initiative. The following are key points:
- Current Diversity and Equity Initiative participants will remain on the committee.
- Expand the Diversity and Equity Initiative by adding 8-12 new committee members. Club members and individuals on the waitlist will fill those positions.
- No more than half of the new Diversity and Equity Initiative members may be of the same race.
- At the end of a one-year term, committee members from the waitlist will be offered full membership.
What is the purpose of this initiative?
Enrich the club by actively recruiting people with a range of lived experiences. These diverse perspectives will be instrumental in achieving the goals of the club as stated in the Club’s Mission Statement and the 8th Core Value which is Diversity.
Irvington Club Mission Statement: To share among our members and all communities a love of tennis that is distinguished by friendliness, diversity, equity, inclusiveness, and accessibility.
What are the goals of this initiative?
- Make the Irvington Club a welcoming place for our communities of color.
- Deepen awareness of social justice and privilege at the Irvington Club and engage more members in community and equity initiatives.
- Increase representation of individuals from diverse backgrounds, this year, and beyond.
- Identify and reduce barriers to tennis at the Club (review policies, procedures, and programs) and more broadly in our community.
What are some of the ongoing and planned activities?
- Community outreach to increase club diversity
- Sister Organization partnerships (American Tennis Association, Kids N Tennis, Portland Tennis and Education, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School)
- Continuing Education (Book Club, lending library, events, workshops, and trainings)
- Youth engagement and activities
How will this initiative expand diverse participation in the Diversity and Equity Initiative?
The Diversity and Equity Initiative is currently composed of 8 IC members and one community participant. Club members and individuals on the waitlist, subject to the diversity requirements, will be considered for the remaining positions. To achieve diverse perspectives, no more than 50% of the new participants will self-identify as the same race (using US Census race and ethnicity categories). All project participants will work together on the three existing Diversity and Equity Initiative Subcommittees (Membership, Culture and Education, Policies and Procedures).
What are the benefits for individuals on the waitlist to participate?
All diversity project members selected from the waitlist will have the privileges of a committee membership while working on the project. They will be assessed a $112 monthly fee, and will have the following membership benefits:
- 8 reservations per month
- Participation on USTA teams and club tournaments
- Unlimited participation in men’s and women’s open play
- Access to adult clinics and private lessons at member costs
- Unlimited use of the weight room and spa
- 10 pool visits per summer season
Has the initiative been vetted?
Yes. Two attorneys and two professional diversity consultants were hired to advise the Diversity and Equity Initiative and Board of Trustees regarding this initiative, keeping in mind the club must follow the criteria to be eligible for its 501c7 tax status. None of the advisors are members of the Irvington Club.
Will this process for recruitment from the waitlist be repeated in future years?
We anticipate that this process will continue in successive years and its progress will be evaluated to determine the next steps forward.