A: STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
The City of Dallas is made up of people from diverse communities and equity-seeking groups defined as ALAANA and LGBTQIA+. Turtle Creek Chorale, Inc. (Turtle Creek Chorale) recognizes that the changing nature of the population has implications in terms of delivering and/or providing access to its services (e.g. programming, activities, etc.).
We recognize that barriers to services exist for members of diverse communities, particularly for equity-seeking groups, and we are committed to acting as a positive force in eliminating these barriers.
To achieve this, the Turtle Creek Chorale, will:
- ensure that diverse communities have equitable access to its services, resources and decision-making.
- be non-discriminatory and promote the goals of anti-racism, access and equity; and
- take reasonable steps to ensure its services, programs and decision-making reflect the community it serves.
The Turtle Creek Chorale prohibits discrimination or harassment and protects the right to be free from hate activity based on age, ancestry, citizenship, creed (religion), color, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender identity, level of literacy, marital status, place of origin, membership in a union or staff association, political affiliation, race, receipt of public assistance, sex, sexual orientation or any other personal characteristic by or within the organization.
1 For the purposes of this policy, equity-seeking groups include ALAANA, Aboriginal/First Nations people, women, people with disabilities, racial minorities, the socio-economically disadvantaged, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons (LGBTQIA+).
Definitions
Anti-racism: a set of practices and systems designed to eliminate racism. Racism includes racist ideologies, prejudiced attitudes, discriminatory behaviors, structural arrangements and institutionalized practices resulting in racial inequality as well as the fallacious notion that discriminatory relations between groups are morally and scientifically justifiable.
Access: the ability of or extents to which communities or residents can attain needed services and achieve full participation in the planning, development, administration and delivery of those services. Access includes client access and organizational access.
Equity: practices designed to remove systemic barriers to equality of outcome by identifying and eliminating discriminatory policies and practices.
Discrimination: the act of treating a person unequally by imposing unequal burdens or denying benefits, rather than treating a person fairly on the basis of individual merit. Discrimination is usually based upon personal prejudices and stereotypical assumptions related to at least one of the grounds set out in this Policy. It is not necessary to have an intent to discriminate under the Code. Workplace rules, policies, procedures, requirements, qualifications or factors may not be directly or intentionally discriminatory but may nonetheless have an adverse effect. This may create barriers to achievement and opportunity.
Harassment: a course of conduct of comments or actions that are unwelcome or should be known to be unwelcome. A person has the right to be free of humiliating or annoying behavior that is based on one or more grounds in the Code.
ALAANA means African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American. This also includes Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (category as defined by the US Census Bureau).
LGBTQIA+ means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other associated communities.
B: POLICY AND ACTIONS ON ANTI-RACISM, ACCESS & EQUITY
Governance
The Turtle Creek Chorale is committed to achieving representation of the diversity of the Dallas community on its Board of Directors by ensuring that it has an equitable and transparent nominations process, that this process is communicated to all members, and that members are committed to outreach beyond the current membership if necessary to achieve this goal.
Employment
The Turtle Creek Chorale is committed to achieving representation of equity seeking groups on its staff by ensuring that members of equity seeking communities have equitable access to employment. This includes recruitment, selection, staff development, performance evaluation, retention, promotion, termination.
The Turtle Creek Chorale is committed to maintaining an environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect and are free from all forms of discriminatory treatment, behavior or practice. Discrimination, harassment, violence, and any other form of discriminatory practices will not be tolerated by the Turtle Creek Chorale. Discrimination does not have to be intentional. It can result from practices or policies that appear to be neutral but have a negative effect on groups or individuals based on race, religion, gender, etc.
Services
Turtle Creek Chorale is committed to ensuring that its services and programs are accessible to diverse communities. This involves review of current outreach, communications, program planning and evaluation, to ensure goal is being met.
In addition, the Turtle Creek Chorale will take into consideration provision of services to disadvantaged individuals, low-income persons, families in poverty, and equity‑seeking communities.
Training and Education
The Turtle Creek Chorale is committed to ensuring that those involved in the delivery of services and programs have the knowledge, understanding and skills to work with and provide services to members of diverse communities, particularly equity-seeking communities.
Information and Communications
The Turtle Creek Chorale is committed to ensuring that all of its communications, including information on its services and programs, are accessible to diverse communities.