Paul Nahban states that ecological diversity and cultural diversity are inextricably linked. As a restoration organization WRV must consider its own cultural diversity when looking to restore our communal environment. Over the course of the last few months, Naropa University students from the Environmental Service Learning class have participated in several WRV restoration projects. We have come up with some observations and practical suggestions for increasing diversity and inclusiveness within the organization in the future.

Critical Issues:
• On two separate occasions, Naropa students observed or were the recipients of hurtful comments by WRV volunteers. These kinds of incidents significantly lower the diversity of any WRV event, by making those who are from marginalized groups feel unsafe and unwelcome.
• Many WRV events were noted to not be accessible to people with different abilities, the result of which will be that potential volunteers with limited or different ability levels will assume that they would not be able to participate. Also, the accessibility was listed on the website only in the sense of how strenuous the project was considered, but not in terms of whether people with different abilities could be included.

Less Critical Issues:
• Naropa students also made suggestions around the positive affect that having more representatives of diverse groups in positions of power within WRV would have on diversity and inclusivity issues, particularly recruitment. It was our belief that if people see themselves reflected in the existing foundation of an organization, they may be more comfortable with volunteering and feel more inclined to volunteer for leadership roles themselves.
• We also wondered about where diversity fits into WRV’s commitment to education as a part of restoration. Including the histories and cultural perspectives of diverse groups of people in the education piece, even in the information that is shared during the actual restoration projects, could have wonderful affects for all involved.

Suggestions:
• One suggestion to deal with the first of the critical issues is to have a particular diversity statement that is presented at the beginning of each project. This statement should include basic WRV policy around inclusivity and conduct on projects.
• As for accessibility issues, WRV could do a quick assessment of the accessibility of various projects and add the findings to the online project description.
• WRV could increase volunteer recruitment in more diverse communities. This might include things such as translating recruitment materials into Spanish.
• Transportation is often a major impediment to volunteers from working class communities. In order to recruit successfully in these communities WRV might want to consider coordinating car pools or providing transportation. Another thing to keep in mind is making sure the meet up places for projects are accessible by public transportation. This includes meet up times as well as location.
• Including some information about different cultural stories and/or the significance of various projects for other communities in project information both online and on site on the project. It might also be helpful when looking at recruiting in diverse communities, whether or not WRV can intentionally people with this kind of knowledge to projects.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Questions:

1. What are some ways in which WRV can intentionally recruit a more diverse group of volunteers? What supports are needed to retain this group?
2. What are some roles that could be filled by people with different ability levels?
3. Is there space for children or younger people in WRV projects? Are all age groups being actively included? If not, what facilities could be provided for parents who want to volunteer but have young children to consider? ie. Day care.
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