Review and Advancement of Anti-racism - Philadelphia, United States - Review and Advancement of Anti-Racism & Social Justice Practices for AFSC Governance
1 week ago
Description
TO:
Consultants on DEI Strategy Implementation for Not-for-profits
FROM:
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
SUBJECT:
Review and Advancement of Anti-Racism & Social Justice Practices
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:
June August 2024
CLOSING DATE & TIME: 5:00 PM Eastern US/Canada Time on Thursday, May 30, 2024
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
_Review and Advancement of Anti-Racism & Social Justice Practices for AFSC Governance_
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Background and Purpose
Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light of each person, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) works with people of all faiths and backgrounds to challenge unjust systems and promote lasting and just peace.
The governance of the AFSC involves the Corporation, the Board of Directors, and Regional Groups.
The Corporation, comprising members from the Religious Society of Friends in the United States, appoints the Board and amends bylaws, ensuring AFSC adheres to its mission, and sets the organizational culture.
The Board oversees strategic direction, budget approval, policy establishment, and provides programmatic oversight, while also appointing the General Secretary. Regional Groups, delegated by the Board, manage regional programming, bringing in local expertise.
The AFSC is currently engaged in a transformative journey towards further enhancing its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
The organization has recently acknowledged facing challenges within its leadership and governance structure and practices concerning DEIB, marking a critical juncture for AFSC.
This admission is a crucial first step and was made alongside a sincere commitment to substantial improvements that seek to foster an organizational culture that is deeply rooted in anti-racism and liberation values; values that are interwoven with the Quaker faith and testimonies.
Emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and improvement, the AFSC leadership is committed to integrating DEIB more deeply into all aspects of its operations and governance.
Central to these efforts is the implementation of targeted training and development initiatives for its Board members and leadership team.
These initiatives are designed to deepen understanding, build skills, and promote practices that reflect the organization's core values of equity and inclusivity.
In pursuit of these goals, we are in search of a DEI/equity consultant to provide a thorough anti-racism and social justice review, interactive training, and continuous education program for our governance members.
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Rationale and Objectives:
AFSC defines anti-racism as a spiritual and practical concern and commitment to actively oppose and dismantle systemic and institutional injustice in all forms.
reflects the fundamental belief in the inherent worth of every individual.
The practice of anti-racism is about actively confronting and reshaping systems of power that not only uphold physical and systemic violence but also propagate discrimination and inequality, therefore acknowledging the deep interconnections of social justice issues across various domains such as policing, education, foreign, and social policy.
Through this understanding, AFSC acknowledges the necessity of integrating these anti-racist principles into its governance fabric.This integration is not only a reflection of its commitment to Quaker values but also a recognition of the need to address and dismantle systemic racism within its own structures.
The rationale for this approach is to ensure that AFSC's internal governance practices are aligned with its advocacy for peace and justice, enhancing its credibility and effectiveness as an agent of change.
We envision a comprehensive strategy that fosters a culture where equity, accountability, and empowerment are paramount, enabling the organization to better serve and advocate for marginalized communities while staying true to its spiritual and ethical foundations.
The objective of this initiative is to develop and implement a training program centered on a racial and social equity lens.
This will include raising awareness of implicit bias to enhance cultural sensitivity and developing strategies to restore community following conflicts rooted in Quaker abolitionist practice.
This initiative can be outlined as follows:
- Governance Structure and
Culture Evaluation:
The primary aim is to assess the governance structure, composition, and culture, examining how existing procedures, policies, and the overall culture contribute to either promoting anti-racism or perpetuating racism, with a specific focus on communication, transparency, conflict transformation, and other related aspects.
- Needs Assessment and Recommendations: The project seeks to identify the specific training needs of Board members based on the evaluation's fin
