Statement of JEDI

Today’s world feels more complex and challenging than ever before. The need for compassion and truly seeing and hearing each other now is not just a “good thing to do” – it is essential. For more than 50 years, SCCSS has strived to make a difference in the community and ensure that people’s voices are heard, and that support is available when and where it is needed most.

At its simplest, our commitment to social justice, equity and inclusion is about eliminating barriers that anyone faces in being the best they can be. That starts with being able to express themselves – their whole and true selves – freely and safely. It can feel daunting to engage authentically in the myriad of lessons learned in recent years. Reconciliation, LGBTQ2S+ and BIPOC might seem like new terms, but the truth of people’s experiences has been around for decades and longer.

The Board of SCCSS is deeply committed to nurturing a truly inclusive environment in all aspects of its work. Whether at its own meetings, working with our talented staff or engaging with community members, the Board knows that every individual brings a unique and important lived experience. As a Board we know that we need to continue to work to bring even more diverse voices to the Board team and to SCCSS as a whole. We know that the journey is neither short nor easy, and we know that the path is continuous, and we are unlikely to ever truly complete it.

What we do know is that every interaction and each small step can have a lasting impact. As the Board of the largest social services organization on the Sunshine Coast, we have a responsibility to demonstrate our commitment to inclusion for all, in what we do and how we do it. Earlier this year, the Board renewed its commitment to this work by developing a set of actions to integrate equity into the way the board operates, governs, and learns together as a team. Additionally, we are committed to evaluating this work on a regular basis (it is a living plan that will respond to shifting community and organizational needs), striving to show leadership in this area to the organization and our peers in the sector, and approaching the work with humility.

Working together with our community members from all areas of life, I know we will make strides in creating a more just, equitable and inclusive Sunshine Coast.

On behalf of all Board members,

Jason Winkler
Board Chair