By GALA Expert
April 1, 2023
This article provides the meanings of the following terms: cultural competence, diversity, inclusion, and equity.
GALA choruses have a unique opportunity to explore issues of equity, access and belonging because our choruses offer more than just a place to sing: they are also communities of belonging. GALA chorus board play an important role in leading our choruses in these conversations.
GALA Choruses has designed a new workbook (A New Harmony: Equity, Access and Belonging) and web-based resources to help explore these conversations.
The complex issues of race, class, gender and sexuality require intentional thought as we seek to serve our communities and honor the inherent worth of all people. The links below provide excellent background information on cultural competency and inclusion.
Definitions
Cultural Competence
The ability to understand, accept, respect, lead, work, and volunteer with people from other cultures and backgrounds. Cultural competence can be measured by the extent to which individuals and organizations can create and maintain an environment that is welcoming, equitable, and supportive of difference in the pursuit of common goals. Developing cultural competence is an ongoing process that starts with recognition of the need and value of incorporating diversity, progresses to implementation of policies and practices, and continues with further refinement and understanding of the benefits of inclusive practices.
Diversity
The individual leaders who compose nonprofit boards are a reflection of an organization’s values and beliefs about who should be empowered and entrusted with its most important decisions. We believe that all social sector organizations can better achieve their missions by drawing on the skills, talents, and perspectives of a broader and more diverse range of leaders, and that the diversity of viewpoints that comes from different life experiences and cultural backgrounds strengthens board deliberations and decision-making.
Inclusion
The most effective boards work to build a culture of trust, candor, and respect — none of which is possible without a culture of inclusion. Boards that cultivate an inclusive culture ensure that all board members are encouraged to bring their perspectives, identity, and life experience to their board service. An inclusive board culture welcomes and celebrates differences and ensures that all board members are equally engaged and invested, sharing power and responsibility for the organization’s mission and the board’s work.
Equity
Boards play a critical role in helping organizations understand the context in which they work and how best to prioritize resources and strategies based on that reality. An awareness of how systemic inequities have affected our society and those an organization serves enables boards to avoid blind spots that can lead to flawed strategies, and creates powerful opportunities to deepen the organization’s impact, relevance, and advancement of the public good.