open forum: acda diversity initiatives national standing committee

Many ACDA members, myself included, are thrilled about the recent formation of the ACDA Diversity Initiatives National Standing Committee.  I felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the open forum with the committee leaders this morning.  Approximately 100 people attended this session, and for one hour, we sat in circles on the floor and talked with each other.  The auditorium became a space to share thoughts, feelings, concerns, questions, and innovative ideas.

To facilitate meaningful conversations, the committee leaders had us split up into five smaller groups, one for each of the five major goals of the committee.  I was in group #1, which corresponded with the first goal: "To develop a network of personnel and resources that can be called upon to provide education around issues of race, poverty, urban/rural/suburban, LGBTQ, and gender and related issues within the context of choral music."  This small group discussion was led by Eugene Rogers, who recorded everyone's contributions to the conversation.  Some people came forward with ideas and suggestions, and others came forward with problems they've experienced.  During the session, everyone's voice was heard and valued.  Many different perspectives were expressed, and new ideas had been formulated by the end of the session.
 
When it was time to stop, we all felt that we could have gone on talking for another hour.  The conversation must not end here!  We were all encouraged to sign up to assist the ACDA Diversity Initiatives Committee by following this link:

https://goo.gl/forms/l56ob4FhUMEQZct43
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Every one of us can help to improve diversity and inclusion within ACDA, and in doing so, we can set an example for other organizations.
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-Juliana Joy Child, IC ACDA President-Elect