In this column, we introduce what the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Committee (https://jalt.org/diversity-equity-inclusion-committee-dei/) is, what we do, and why it is important for an effective and sustainable JALT.
The DEI Committee began as the Diversity and Equity Practices Committee in 2019 with the help of then President Richmond Stroupe, Thomas Amundrud, Wendy Gough, Michael Hollenback, Tanya McCandie, Joe Tomei, and others. It grew out of the need to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive JALT and broader English-language-teaching environment, including the important issues of childcare at conferences and the persistence of all-male, “native speaker” panels. Expanding beyond the scope of formal complaints submitted to the Code of Conduct Committee, JALT’s DEI Committee collaborates with the Board of Directors (BoD) to promote, celebrate, and welcome diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organization, including (but not limited to) race, gender, language, national origin, sexual orientation, physical ability, class, age, teaching context, and other social locations. It strives to ensure that JALT and its members are welcomed and celebrated in all their diversities. It also aims to ensure the organization leads through a lens of equity, ensuring that all voices are heard, especially those that have been marginalized by any form of systemic oppression.
To ensure JALT is a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization, the DEI Committee works with the BoD through education, communication, outreach, and advocacy within and beyond JALT. To facilitate this, we have a committee of dedicated volunteer members from across Japan and beyond working on various projects. Our current team includes Yaya Yao and Shawna Carroll (Co-Chairs), May Kyaw Oo, Thomas Amundrud, Gretchen Clark, Gregory Glasgow, Risa Ikeda, Margaret Kim, Sachiko Nakagome, Jen-nie Roloff Rothman, and Terry Tuttle. Our team members embody diverse backgrounds and experiences and are members of various chapters and SIGs across JALT. As a team, we bring workshops and themed panels to the JALT International and PanSIG conferences. At those two events, we also hosted a table to share information about our DEI initiatives and highlighted DEI-related presentations at each conference.
Last year, we also launched our DEI Presenter Database Survey, where we encouraged JALT members to identify their expertise and diverse positionalities, creating a database of diverse presenters for program chairs to access in making their chapters and SIGs more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We have also created DEI presenter guidelines (see the attachment below). Our team was also involved in ongoing initiatives, such as ensuring childcare is available at all JALT-branded conferences, as equitable access to professional development opportunities is essential for the continued development of our organization and our field. The DEI Committee also advises the BoD on DEI-related issues on a case-by-case basis.
Diversity is the foundation of JALT, making us stronger and more sustainable as an organization. JALT continues to be dedicated to encouraging DEI throughout the entire body. Our committee is proud to be part of this movement to ensure that all voices are a part of JALT, improving language education in Japan and beyond. If you are interested in joining us to keep making JALT a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization, please email Yaya and Shawna (the Co-Chairs) at dei@jalt.org.
DEI Presenter Guidelines
February 2024
JALT is committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization. As such, these guidelines ensure that all members have equal access to all of the professional development opportunities JALT has to offer.
These guidelines stipulate all SIGs, chapters, and other groups within JALT make an active effort to adhere to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and strive for a balanced representation of presenters for events.
When choosing presenters for events, JALT supports and encourages the organizers to consider a balance of presenters incorporating members from underrepresented groups, including members:
- of different genders, gender identities or presentations, and sexual orientations;
- with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds;
- from a variety of countries with diverse L1 representation;
- with L1s other than English;
- with diverse mental and physical abilities;
- and of different ages and at different career stages.
The list above is not meant to be exclusive or exhaustive, nor should speaker qualifications be made less of a priority when selecting presenters. However, the framework should be used by all groups within JALT to diversify the presenter roster for their events. If groups need support or advice in implementing this, they can contact the Director of Program. The Director of Program and the DEI Committee will support, in a non-judgmental and collaborative fashion, all JALT groups, no matter their size or limitations in terms of technology or geographic distance, to overcome any difficulties in meeting these guidelines. Presenter recommendations from everyone in JALT are welcomed.
