How Seattle Branch Actively Engages in DEI

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are terrific goals, but to be effective we must turn them into actions: Diversity can become appreciating differences among our experiences. Equity can be turned into striving for fairness. Inclusion can be expressed as welcoming everyone.

Here are the actions we are taking to promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. They are as simple as the day we meet and the food we offer. Some people worship from Friday into Saturday or on Saturday (like Muslims, Jews, and Seventh Day Adventists), so we include both Saturday and Sunday meetings in our program year.

There are foods some people don’t or can’t eat.  Jews and Muslims don’t eat pork, Hindus don’t eat beef, Seventh Day Adventists are vegetarians, and gluten is harmful to some peoples’ bodies.  Once we’re aware of people’s needs, we become welcoming by offering a variety so everyone can eat. For example, our Scholar Recognition celebration this April will feature kosher and halal meats.
These actions embody identifying, accommodating, and celebrating differences among us and making each person more welcome.

These are our current steps and we hope to take more steps in the future.