DEI: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

DEI:Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council will not tolerate racism in any form. We are committed to providing an anti-racist environment built through meaningful and lasting work in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Girl Scouts Stands Against Racism and Pledges to Work for a Just Society for All!

What do the terms in DEI mean? What do they mean in the context of Girl Scouting?

Diversity is about difference. A group has diversity when the people present (e.g., our organization’s girl members, volunteers, staff) reflect differences across socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, physical ability, gender, sexual orientation, age, education, religion, political beliefs, and so on. Different groups reflect different forms and degrees of diversity—and the Girl Scout Constitution calls for our membership to reflect the pluralistic nature of our communities.

Equity is about seeking to give everyone access to the same opportunities while acknowledging that we don’t all start from the same place. Through equitable practices, people are given the support they need to have an experience (e.g., participate in Girl Scouts). Tackling this part of the work requires that we understand the underlying causes of disparities in, for example, health, educational, and employment outcomes among different demographics.

When inclusion is happening, people who are present feel a sense of belonging (e.g., have a voice, hold leadership positions, feel Girl Scouts is for them). In the words of inclusion strategist, social commentator, author, and Netflix’s VP of inclusion strategy Vernā Myers, “Diversity is being asked to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” While a truly inclusive group is necessarily diverse, a diverse group may or may not be inclusive.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion–Upcoming Training Sessions for Volunteers!

Mark your calendars for the first in a four-part training series for volunteers on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Equity Consultant Nicole Anderson will facilitate the sessions, sharing an introduction to this work while exploring the definitions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and how to implement them to better serve our girls and surrounding community.

All sessions will be held online from 10am-12pm via Zoom. The first session is scheduled on Saturday, September 18, 2021. The next three session dates will be announced soon so keep watch in our monthly newsletter and on the Event Calendar.

To register to attend the first session visit our Event Calendar!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Girl Listening Sessions:

Calling all High School Girl Scouts!

Want to participate in this important work? We want to hear from you!

Girl Listening Sessions are designed for our high school-aged Girl Scouts, grades 9-12, and are facilitated by our Equity Consultant Nicole Anderson with the purpose of providing a safe space to hear from our girls on their experiences and perspectives as Girl Scouts around the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dates will be announced in our monthly newsletter and Event Calendar soon!

Diversity Fun Patch Contest

The winner of our 2021 Diversity Fun Patch Contest was Shannon H.

Be on the lookout for new ways to earn this patch in the coming Girl Scout Year!