IDEA Committee Meeting Thurs. Aug. 19, 2021 7:30pm
Join us at this month’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Committee meeting! Community members are welcome and encouraged to join.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee
Diversity and Inclusion Working Group / Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Committee 2021/22
Role of the IDEA Committee:
The Committee of IDEA will act to advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility values within OSCA and the community of Old Ottawa South, and beyond as needed.
How the IDEA Committee works:
The Committee is led by a Chair of the Committee who is also a member of the OSCA board, and is supported by a summer student who acts as Deputy Chair during the summer months. The Committee comprises seven core members who were previously members of the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, including Shehryar Sarwar, Saira David, Neena Kushwaha, Larry Menard, Fatuma Hussein, Deborah Gomes-Shultz and Dr. Justine Joseph.
Together, the Committee oversees and guides the overall direction of the Committee in a collaborative manner, in accordance with the Committee’s values. The Committee will also work collaboratively with the OSCA board, staff and other OSCA committees, as well as externally with other community associations, academic institutions, NGOs, schools, and youth. The Committee will promote, educate, and advocate for IDEA values and aim to effectively and sustainably integrate them into the organization and community of Old Ottawa South.
Monthly meetings:
The Committee meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month to discuss ideas and plan activities from approximately 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. The meetings are also an opportunity to gather and exchange views and experiences of current events and relevant issues. All members of the community are welcome to attend the monthly meetings and committee members are encouraged to attend.
Objectives for 2021
- To explore opportunities to host events that celebrate diverse perspectives.
- To raise awareness of IDEA values through OSCA publications including social media and the OSCAR, and by establishing a social media presence and cross-promote with current OSCA social media channels.
- To provide educational resources to increase values of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within the community and organization.
- To strengthen relationships, partnerships, and information sharing with other Ottawa community associations, academic institutions, and schools, including youth.
- To explore grant and funding opportunities and increase committee membership.
IDEA Committee Tolerance Letter
Dear members of our community,
In times of uncertainty, it is easy to separate ourselves. While the trail of division has not always been a clear-cut path, it should be the road less travelled. It is vital that we open the lines of communication and listen to one another. Now more than ever, education and compassion should be the means to reaching an understanding.
Indigenous Resource List
The recently renamed OSCA Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee offers the following list of educational resources regarding Indigenous issues in Canada.
DEIA Committee Meeting: Thurs. July 15, 2021 7:30pm
Everyone welcome to attend. Please email oscadiversityandinclusion@gmail.com for Zoom login details.
The Diversity and Inclusion Working Group
OSCA recognizes its integral role within a diverse community. The Diversity and Inclusion Working Group was initiated to enlist multiple perspectives and experiences within the community of Old Ottawa South to inform OSCA’s active commitment to fair and equitable provision, implementation, and impact of services, programs and role within the community.
The goals of the working group are:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility Crossword Puzzle
Are you looking for the answers to the crossword featured in the July-August 2021 OSCAR? Here they are:
Diversity & Inclusion Assistant Job Posting
OSCA's Diversity & Inclusion Working Group is now hiring a Diversity & Inclusion Assistant!
Check out the full job posting here and if you are interested, please submit your resume and cover letter to
diversityandinclusion@oldottawasouth.ca.
Share your feedback
Your feedback is important to the work undertaken by this Working Group. We want to hear from you and incorporate your feedback into recommendations that will shape inclusivity and diversity within OSCA and the OOS community.
Members
There are eight members of the working group.
Terms of Reference
Purpose
The Old Ottawa South Community Association (OSCA) recognizes its dynamic role within the community. The Board of Directors of the OSCA approved in July 2020, the creation of a Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. The purpose of the Working Group is to engage multiple perspectives and experiences within the community of Old Ottawa South to inform the operationalization of OSCA’s active commitment to fair and equitable provision, implementation, and impact of services, programs and policies.