DEI Statement

 

Every Norwich HC member/student-athlete deserves a respectful learning environment in which their cultural, racial and ethnic diversity is valued and contributes to successful academic and athletic outcomes.  Norwich HC is committed to identifying and establishing practices and policies that reduce the accessibility gap and institutional racism in all forms in order to provide all of its student-athletes with the opportunity to be successful.  Learning, team and work environments are enriched and improved by the contributions, perspectives and very presence of diverse participants.  Norwich HC is committed to the success of every student-athlete in each of our programs and to our mission and vision statements.

 

The Board of Directors (Board) believes that the responsibility for student-athlete success is broadly shared by staff, families, our community and our student-athlete's own efforts. 

 

Adult behaviors must not create barriers to success. 

 

Adult behaviors must be concentrated on creating access through the elimination of gaps, particularly those that are predicated on a student-athlete's race, ethnicity, home language, personal characteristics or culture and on assurance of equity between students. 

 

The diversity of our club membership, our student body, our community and our staff is a strength of this program that should be fostered. Educational equity benefits all students and our entire community.

 

The purpose of this policy is to establish a framework for the elimination of bias, particularly racism and cultural bias, as factors affecting student-athlete achievement and learning experiences, and to promote team, learning and work environments that welcome, respect and value diversity.  The purpose of our DEI Statement is to establish particular actions that the Norwich HC shall take to address disparities in athletic and educational opportunity and achievement. 

 

 

For the purposes of this policy the following terms shall have these meanings:

 

A. "Diversity" includes characteristics of persons including, but not limited to race, culture, color, creed or religion, national origin, gender, mental and physical ability, age, marital status, family structure, citizenship status, sexual orientation, sexual expression or identity, economic status, veteran's status, and any other protected class in conformance with federal, state and local laws.

 

B.  "Staff" includes all employees, coaches, volunteers, consultants and contractors of the Norwich HC.

 

C.  "Institutional racism" means the collective failure of a public or private organization to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their race, color, culture or ethnic origin which can be seen or detected in practices, processes, systems, attitudes and behavior. It looks beyond individual acts of prejudice to the systemic biases that may be built into institutions.  These systemic biases discriminate against and disadvantage people of color through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness or racial stereotyping.

 

 

A.  Norwich HC welcomes, respects and values the diversity of its members, parents, staff and the broader community.

 

B.  The following are established as club values:

 

1.  All student-athletes deserve optimal treatment, opportunities and education.

2.  All student-athletes and their families have dignity and worth.

3.  All student-athletes are equitably, while differently, gifted.

4.  Academic and participation outcomes, not intentions, shall be the measure of whether we are successful.

5.  Inclusion of all student-athletes and families supports club goals to increase student engagement, academic, and athletic performance.

6.  Embracing our diversity through inclusion creates an environment that leverages that diversity and creates clubs where student-athletes, families, community members, and employees feel welcomed, valued, supported, and where student-athletes and staff can perform to their personal bests.

 

C.  The club is committed to advancing optimum participation in, contribution to, benefit from and enjoyment of ice hockey, learning and work experiences by diverse student-athletes, parents, staff and community.

 

D.  The club is committed to promoting and providing equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, facilities and support, even when this means differentiating resource allocations on the basis of student-athlete needs.

 

E.  The club shall employ staffing processes that support and engender racial, gender, and language diversity in its staff through recruitment, employment, training and retention of employees.  It is important that children of all races, cultures, and backgrounds are provided with familiar role models in schools and clubs.  The recruitment of diverse coaches, teachers and staff provides all students with a better chance of seeing themselves as part of the education system.  The club is committed to increasing the recruitment and retention of highly qualified diverse staff.  The Board is committed to hiring the best employees of all racial and ethnic backgrounds who will bring their unique talents and skills into the club.

 

F.  The club shall offer opportunities for all staff to improve its cultural competencies in serving a diverse membership and community.  The Board shall work together to increase their individual and collective capacity to effectively coach and teach a culturally, racially and ethnically diverse student-athlete population and serve culturally, racially and ethnically diverse families and communities.  The Club shall offer opportunities for all staff to improve culturally responsive practices to serve our diverse membership to increase individual and collective capacity to effectively coach and teach our diverse student-athletes and serve diverse families.  Practices, procedures and programs that result in over- or under- representation of any group of student-athletes compared to peers shall be subject to close review to assure that such results are due to meeting student legitimate educational, social or emotional needs.  Practices that do not meet this close review shall be eliminated. 

 

G.  The club shall promote the diversification of its vendor and supplier corps in accordance with law, club and school policy.

 

H.  The club shall provide professional development to coaching staff specifically designed to strengthen employee's knowledge and skills for eliminating opportunity and achievement gaps between groups of student-athletes.

 

I.  The club shall seek partnerships with outside agencies, organizations and persons who have demonstrated culturally specific expertise to assist the club in meeting its equitable education and business goals, including, but not limited to: (1) government agencies, (2) non-profit organizations, (3) businesses, and (4) other community groups that support educational equity and cultural competencies.

 

 

A.  The Board shall consider the values stated in this policy in conducting its business and in exercising its responsibilities to the people of this community.

 

B.  The Board  shall establish in accordance with this policy such plans and procedures as may be necessary and appropriate to accomplish its purpose and intent.  Plans and procedures established shall include clear accountability for actions and oversight.

 

C.  The Board may promulgate regulations for the implementation of this policy as deemed necessary.

 

D.  The Board and Head of School may establish specific goals to implement this policy as permitted by law and deemed necessary.

 

E.  Club staff shall within the parameters of their various duties and responsibilities comply with and execute such plans as are designed to address the values and directions included in this policy.  Club staff are responsible to make such suggestions to the appropriate authority to improve the ability of the club to reduce the achievement and opportunity gaps that exist.

 

F.  Families are partners with the club in its effort to address achievement and opportunity gaps.

 

G.  The Board, Head of School and employees will work with student-athletes and families to identify barriers to achievement and opportunities for academic and athletic success.