THIS POST UPDATES OUR RECENT BLOG ON GLOBAL FORCE'S COMMITMENT TO
DIVERSIFYING OUR BOARD WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO THE FIELD OF MATERNAL/ NEWBORN HEALTH AND ACCESS TO QUALITY PERINATAL CARE FOR ALL
In an effort to better align with our guiding principles and values around Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA), Global Force for Healing has committed to a transparent process of diversifying our board with full recognition that: “systems of oppression are individual, institutional, and societal and their effects on people have a long history deeply rooted in” colonial history and culture (see source below). They have dispossessed BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) of their lands and bodies while often denying their rights to self-determination. This has contributed to underrepresentation on nonprofit boards - even when the work impacts these very communities.
We commit to changing this, starting with our own Board. Our immediate goals include, but are not limited to, the following:
● To “walk our talk” in how we do our work, show up in our relationships (internal and external), and model guiding principles; and
● To become an organization worthy of consideration by excellent future board candidates representing IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access)
Where we are currently:
*We do this work as part of a learning community. Our board committee has reached out to individuals and organizations for collaboration and support on how to engage in the process of diversifying our board.
*We have hired an accountability partner (https://www.globalforceforhealing.org/leadership; scroll down to read) to help us assess where we are and design a process to fulfill our board diversification intentions in an authentic, respectful manner. An accountability partner is a supportive person to think with and alongside organizations. They serve more as a guide and facilitator and less of an expert to help move organizations toward an overall vision of equity and justice. They engage willing organizations like Global Force for Healing in a collaborative process to align vision, mission, goals, and action. They bring another perspective into the room that can be integrated into our organizational decision making and program design processes.
Our commitment to diversity, equity, access and inclusion is sincere. Our 2019 collaborative publication, “Funding Equity ” (bit.ly/fundequity) produced with Visionary Allies, LLC provides some insight. We acknowledge the lifelong learning involved in uncovering inconsistencies between our commitments and our behaviors. We aim to be transparent in our processes and align with our guiding principles in word and in action.
*The forthcoming publication, "From Silos to Synergy" collaboratively produced with Global Health Visions and the National Birth Equity Collaborative, is also an expression of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access, in support of domestic allies and global partners. Our report on the funding landscape for maternal and infant health will be published March 10.
*We are planning board trainings this year around being a better accomplice to Indigenous Network partners and affiliated organizations; and, to the Movement for Black Lives.
To read our full intention statement and guiding principles: https://www.globalforceforhealing.org/aboutus (scroll down web page for the statement).
Sincerely,
Global Force for Healing Board Committee on IDEA
This blog and our Intention Statement were drafted on the unceded lands of the Shasta, Takelma, and many other recognized and unrecognized tribes who have lived in the Southern Oregon region where Global Force for Healing is headquartered.
Source of above citation: Social Identities and Systems of Oppression | National Museum of African American History and Culture https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/social-identities-and-systems-oppression
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