Our Commitment to Equity

group of people watching a presentation at an Ally Squared event

At Ally Squared, equity is:

A space where all volunteers, and participants feel valued and respected. We are committed to a non-discriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for all members to grow and learn from each other. We respect and value diverse life experiences and strive to create a safe space for all. Given this, we acknowledge that building a safe space requires dynamic reflection on part of the Board of Directors and participants. Therefore, our Equity policy is fundamentally based on an approach to starting a dialogue about what equity means for those who exist with many different lived experiences.

Ally Squared recognizes that we are working and residing on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin, Anishinabek territory. We also acknowledge that recognizing this is only the beginning to our decolonizing journey.

Dismantle

any inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services. We pledge to regularly update and report our organization's progress on this front.

Practice

and encourage transparent communication within our organization and externally, in our network.

Holly speaking with someone at an Ally Squared event

Challenge

assumptions about what it takes to be a strong leader at our organization and who is well-positioned to provide this leadership.

Abarna giving a presentation at an Ally Squared event

Explore

potential underlying, unquestioned assumptions that interfere with an inclusivity-centered approach to our work.

Lead

by example, with respect and understanding

Advocate

for and prioritize discussions of how systematic inequities affect our organization's work and look at how to combat systemic marginalization.

Acknowledge

that diversity, justice, anti-oppression, and equity are all connected to our mission and critical to ensuring the well-being of our community.