Equal Opportunities Policy
Declaration of Intent
SHERWOOD ART WEEK (SAW) acknowledges that the United Kingdom is a society diverse in race, culture, creed and interests, and that no person or group should suffer discrimination on the basis of race, gender, visible or invisible disability, age or sexual preference, religion, marital status or supporting dependents.
SHERWOOD ART WEEK (SAW) therefore declares its intention to work for the furtherance of equal treatment in involvement, committee representation and project delivery.”
We will implement the above by:
1. Clearly publishing our statement of intent.
2.Ensuring that no member of the general public, committee member or volunteer is treated less favourably than others.
3.Ensuring that it is a condition of SAW membership that all organisers and volunteers understand and are willing to implement this policy.
4.Ensuring that everyone concerned with the organisation of SAW understands the issues surrounding discrimination.
5.Attempting to increase participation in SAW from traditionally disadvantaged groups.
6.Working towards ensuring that the Organising Committee and all decision making structures contain people from all sections of the community.
7.Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited on merit regardless of background and traditionally discriminatory factors.
8.Making sure that all volunteer opportunities are advertised in such a way that they do not discriminate against an applicant.
9.Ensuring that all is done to make SAW welcoming to all sections of the community.
10.Ensuring that activities are provided that reflect the needs of all sections of the community.
11.Considering special projects to combat discrimination in the community.
12.Monitoring our programmes, events, publicity and activities to ensure that they actively encourage all sections of the community.
We will not allow the following behaviour:
a)Verbal or physical attacks on any of the above grounds.
b)Discriminatory name-calling, insulting remarks, discriminatory jokes and threats.
c)Writing such remarks on walls or other places.
d)Encouraging other people to harass or discriminate against other individuals or groups.
e)Provocative behaviour such as wearing racist badges or fascist insignia.
f)Bringing to any event or activity materials such as leaflets, magazines, which in any way support such discrimination.
In the event of any incidents involving discrimination to an individual or group, the organising committee or its representatives will:
i)Discuss the incident with the individual or group concerned, restating our position.
ii)Consider the possibility of exclusion from future activities or events of the individual(s) for a set period of time.
iii)In the cases of physical attack or serious threatening behaviour exclusion will be immediate.
iv)Aid and support the abused party.
v)Make a report of the incident.
Procedure for dealing with discrimination or harassment
1.The matter must be reported to a member of the Organising Committee, preferably an officer of the Committee, at the first possible opportunity.
2. The officer will treat the matter with the greatest seriousness, aid and support the person bringing the complaint, and write down the details of the complaint.
3.In the cases of physical attack or serious threatening behaviour the person committing the offence will be excluded immediately.
4.An urgent meeting will be called of officers to discuss the complaint and to look at the matter and the possible options open to the Organising Committee. The officers will delegate two members to meet the person(s) being complained about.
5.At this meeting the Organising Committee members will discuss the incident with the individual (s) concerned, restating SAW’s position. If the matter cannot be resolved by way of an acceptable apology and an undertaking that the offence will not be repeated, the following action will be taken:
-The person(s) will be disqualified from membership and participation in SAW
6.The officers will report back in full to the Organising Committee at the earliest opportunity informing the Committee of the action taken. The person bringing the complaint will be informed of the action taken by the Committee.
SHERWOOD ART WEEK (SAW) therefore declares its intention to work for the furtherance of equal treatment in involvement, committee representation and project delivery.”
We will implement the above by:
1. Clearly publishing our statement of intent.
2.Ensuring that no member of the general public, committee member or volunteer is treated less favourably than others.
3.Ensuring that it is a condition of SAW membership that all organisers and volunteers understand and are willing to implement this policy.
4.Ensuring that everyone concerned with the organisation of SAW understands the issues surrounding discrimination.
5.Attempting to increase participation in SAW from traditionally disadvantaged groups.
6.Working towards ensuring that the Organising Committee and all decision making structures contain people from all sections of the community.
7.Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited on merit regardless of background and traditionally discriminatory factors.
8.Making sure that all volunteer opportunities are advertised in such a way that they do not discriminate against an applicant.
9.Ensuring that all is done to make SAW welcoming to all sections of the community.
10.Ensuring that activities are provided that reflect the needs of all sections of the community.
11.Considering special projects to combat discrimination in the community.
12.Monitoring our programmes, events, publicity and activities to ensure that they actively encourage all sections of the community.
We will not allow the following behaviour:
a)Verbal or physical attacks on any of the above grounds.
b)Discriminatory name-calling, insulting remarks, discriminatory jokes and threats.
c)Writing such remarks on walls or other places.
d)Encouraging other people to harass or discriminate against other individuals or groups.
e)Provocative behaviour such as wearing racist badges or fascist insignia.
f)Bringing to any event or activity materials such as leaflets, magazines, which in any way support such discrimination.
In the event of any incidents involving discrimination to an individual or group, the organising committee or its representatives will:
i)Discuss the incident with the individual or group concerned, restating our position.
ii)Consider the possibility of exclusion from future activities or events of the individual(s) for a set period of time.
iii)In the cases of physical attack or serious threatening behaviour exclusion will be immediate.
iv)Aid and support the abused party.
v)Make a report of the incident.
Procedure for dealing with discrimination or harassment
1.The matter must be reported to a member of the Organising Committee, preferably an officer of the Committee, at the first possible opportunity.
2. The officer will treat the matter with the greatest seriousness, aid and support the person bringing the complaint, and write down the details of the complaint.
3.In the cases of physical attack or serious threatening behaviour the person committing the offence will be excluded immediately.
4.An urgent meeting will be called of officers to discuss the complaint and to look at the matter and the possible options open to the Organising Committee. The officers will delegate two members to meet the person(s) being complained about.
5.At this meeting the Organising Committee members will discuss the incident with the individual (s) concerned, restating SAW’s position. If the matter cannot be resolved by way of an acceptable apology and an undertaking that the offence will not be repeated, the following action will be taken:
-The person(s) will be disqualified from membership and participation in SAW
6.The officers will report back in full to the Organising Committee at the earliest opportunity informing the Committee of the action taken. The person bringing the complaint will be informed of the action taken by the Committee.
