IUSSI-NAS DEIJ Committee update and feedback request

In the past two years, we, IUSSI-NAS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice committee, have discussed ways to support outreach events by current members and activities to engage a broader audience, especially from underrepresented groups. This was guided by the results of the last membership poll and discussions with several members and current/past IUSSI-NAS officers. The outcome of our discussions was the need for an umbrella program to support DEIJ activities, past and present. We shared our proposal at the past breakout meeting (see here) to obtain some initial feedback, and the response was positive.

We are happy to introduce the “IUSSI-NAS DEIJ Outreach Program” to serve as an umbrella program for DEIJ-related initiatives and outreach, not only across IUSSI-NAS, but to reach non-members as well.

For the initial phase of the program, we have identified three primary branches that we would like to work on: (1) a Turner-Collins Recognition Program that does not require funding to start, (2) a Professional Development Workshop Series that also does not require funding to start, and finally (3) fundraising to create a DEIJ Outreach Fund that can provide monetary support for current/ future DEIJ initiatives of IUSSI-NAS members. 

To achieve the above goals, we need your input– see two Google forms below!  We request your responses by November 25, 2024.

1. As stipulated by IUSSI-NAS Bylaws, any new programs and initiatives need a 6-week period for feedback prior to being voted upon for approval.  Please provide feedback on the Turner-Collins Recognition Program (see program overview document here) at the Google form below,  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQGLq3Nc1mkcBI2YACHrvaWJd2vF4HtPhw_2OCQHTUsftG2Q/viewform

2. We are gauging interest in being part of an advisory board that will help oversee the functioning of the IUSSI-NAS DEIJ Outreach program. Please note, indicating interest does not mean you have to join the Advisory Board, or that you have to work on all three branches of the program. Members are encouraged to indicate if they are interested in working on a specific branch of the DEIJ Program. The Advisory Board currently has four volunteers (all three current DEIJ committee members, and Mary Jane West-Eberhard). 

Advisory board interest form: https://forms.gle/vqFJyv8eACmP8AkCA

Please direct questions to:  iussi.nas.deij@gmail.com