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Recommendations from the GSA Diversity Task Force
The Geological Society of America (GSA) embraces and values • Creation of an ad hoc committee charged with developing a
diversity and actively works toward creating an inclusive and safe Code of Conduct for Meetings and set of procedures
environment for all participants engaged in events, meetings, and applicable to all GSA-sponsored events and meetings with
throughout the organization. Last year GSA leadership authorized the aim of ensuring a safe and respectful environment
a Diversity Task Force to review the organization’s internal non- for all participants;
discrimination and diversity directives.
• Adoption of protocols to assist leadership in assessing and
Over the course of six months, the Diversity in the Geosciences responding to situations which may be regarded as inconsis-
Committee, four Councilors, and the Executive Director tent with GSA’s policies on diversity and inclusiveness; and
reviewed policies and practices regarding diversity and equity to
ensure that they were consistent and effective across the organi- • Commissioning the Executive Committee to conduct a
zation. The recommendations from the Diversity Task Force, review of the responsive protocols to help further improve
which were subsequently approved by Council at its spring 2016 the process after such time as an incident may occur.
meeting, include:
Through these actions, GSA aims to demonstrate its commit-
• Revisions to the GSA Position Statement on diversity (http:// ment to the values of diversity and inclusivity more effectively,
www.geosociety.org/positions/pos15_Diversity.pdf) that fostering an environment in which all participants can thrive.
expand upon the list of protected classes; These recommendations are intended to encourage and
promote insightful and respectful professional conduct in the
• Acknowledgment of GSA’s Position Statement on diversity geoscience community.
in future contracts with vendors and contractors with whom
GSA conducts business;
GSA TODAY | AUGUST 2016
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