Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Policy (August 22, 2023)

The Bread Bakers Guild of America recognizes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are not just words, but fundamental principles that guide our work and our relationships. We operate in a diverse industry–the majority of our workforce are women and people of color. If we are to be a just, innovative and resilient organization, our membership and programming must fully ref lect the rich diversity of the craf t and industry we support. We are committed to promoting and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and have equal access to opportunities and resources. We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential to our mission and values, and are key to achieving our goals and objectives. Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging extends beyond the team and board of the Guild to the entire membership, and to the industry at large. This policy is a living document, and we are committed to reviewing and amending it regularly to ref lect the state of the Guild and our progress against the principles and actions outlined below.

Policy Statement

The Bread Bakers Guild of America is committed to the following principles and actions to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging:

1. We will foster a culture of openness, curiosity, and learning, where individuals are encouraged to listen, learn from, and engage with each other's diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas. 
2. For staff , the Board of Directors, and membership we will actively seek to recruit, retain, and promote individuals from Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ backgrounds, and other marginalized and underrepresented populations; and will provide equitable opportunities for all individuals to participate in and benefit from our programs, services, and activities. 
3. We will provide training, resources, and support to our staff , volunteers, and stakeholders to increase their understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and to develop the skills and behaviors necessary to create an inclusive and welcoming environment. 
4. We will regularly assess and evaluate our policies, practices, and outcomes to identify and address any barriers or inequities that may exist, and to continuously improve our efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 
5. We will hold ourselves and each other accountable for creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and belonging environment, and will take action to address any instances of discrimination, harassment, or exclusion that may occur.

Definition of Terms

Diversity: The collective differences and similarities that exist among individuals, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, and other characteristics. Diversity encompasses both the representation and inclusion of individuals from various backgrounds. This involves expanding our membership base and focusing on marginalized and underrepresented individuals, as well as actively seeking out and hiring individuals with diverse perspectives and experiences.

Equity: The fair and just distribution of resources, opportunities, and outcomes, taking into account historical and current systemic barriers, power imbalances, and biases, to ensure that everyone has what they need to thrive. Ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to grow and progress within the organization includes actively identifying and addressing any policies or procedures that create or perpetuate inequities.

Inclusion: The active and intentional effort to create a culture and environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported, and where they can fully participate, contribute, and succeed, to celebrate the differences within a workforce, creating an environment where all individuals feel welcomed and included. This involves fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and open communication, where diverse perspectives are encouraged and appreciated.

Belonging: The feeling of being accepted, valued, and respected as a full and equal member of a community or organization, and having the freedom to express oneself authentically without fear of judgment or reprisal. For employees to feel comfortable to be one's authentic self within the organization or workplace involves creating an environment where all employees have the ability to bring one's full self to the organization/role, and are encouraged to use their voice to drive growth and progress. This can be achieved by providing opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and leadership roles, as well as actively soliciting feedback and input from all employees.