INC DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (“DEI”) POLICY STATEMENT 

The purpose and mission of Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (“INC”) is to advocate for residents of the City and County of Denver (the “City” or “Denver”) by bringing together, informing and empowering registered neighborhood organizations (“RNOs”) to actively engage in addressing issues impacting neighborhoods within the City by (i) bringing together RNOs within the City in a coalition to represent the interests of neighborhoods and to collectively address issues of common interest, especially those which may have City-wide impact; (ii) encouraging and increasing autonomy, diversity, and power of neighborhoods; (iii) providing information and education to RNOs such as organizing, registering with the City, and interacting effectively with City agencies; (iv) enabling RNOs, whether independently and/or collectively with INC, to be proactive in presenting their positions, including before decisions affecting their neighborhoods are made by City agencies and departments; (v) improving the flow of information between RNOs and City agencies and departments; (vi) taking an active role in working with representatives of City government and other community-serving organizations and others in shaping Denver’s future; (vii) supporting other community-serving nonprofit organizations in their efforts to improve the health, education and welfare for Denver residents and their neighborhoods; and (viii) taking such other and additional actions from time to time to facilitate and implement INC’s mission and the foregoing purposes.  INC’s Bylaws mandate that INC shall execute its purpose without regard to race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, or political party affiliation, except to serve a historically or other disadvantaged group.  INC’s commitment to incorporate the core values of diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) in its governance and operations are further set forth in this DEI Policy Statement.

INC is cognizant of the history of systemic discrimination throughout the United States and its cities, including Denver.  The history of redlining and exclusionary zoning practices impacted Denver.  INC thus recognizes that the efforts of the City to hear the voices of all citizens equally through the RNO process may also reflect inequities of those historical unjust practices and may have left out or not elevated the voices of those most impacted, including underrepresented communities.  Accordingly, INC commits itself to implement its mission and purpose with an equity lens and to operate as a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization.  As such, in the implementation of its mission and purpose, INC shall strive to, among other things:

• See diversity, inclusion, and equity as fundamentally connected to the INC mission and purpose.
• Reach underinvested and underrepresented communities to assist in empowering such communities through the RNO processes available to them.
• Look for opportunities to pool resources and expand offerings for underrepresented and underinvested communities by connecting with other organizations committed to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
• Utilize an equity lens in bringing educational opportunities to INC and RNOs, including presentations on City policies, legislative matters and committee subject matter presentations.

In order for the common understanding of the terms used in this DEI Policy Statement, INC relies on the following definitions glossary of terms deemed by it to be important in the discussion of and implementation of this DEI Policy Statement.  

The INC DEI Policy Statement Glossary (adopted from the San Diego Foundation): 

Discrimination: The unfair or prejudicial treatment of people and groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or sexual orientation.1

Diversity: The psychological, physical, and social differences that occur among any and all individuals, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, and/or learning styles.2

Equity: The guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. The principle of equity acknowledges that there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations, and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is needed to assist equality in the provision of effective opportunities to all groups.2

Ethnicity: The designation of groups, such as Irish, Fijian, or Sioux, etc., that share a common identity-based ancestry, language, or culture. It is often based on religion, beliefs, and customs as well as memories of migration or colonization.3 (See “Race” for comparison)

Inclusion: The act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate and bring their full, authentic selves to work. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences and offers respect in the words/actions/thoughts of all people.2

Just: The freedom from favor toward either or any side; implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.4

Race: The socially constructed system of categorizing humans largely based on observable physical features (phenotypes), such as skin color, and or ancestry. There is no scientific basis for or discernible distinction between racial categories.5 (see “Ethnicity” for comparison)

Racial Justice: The systematic fair treatment of people of all races that results in equitable opportunities and outcomes for everyone. All people are able to achieve their full potential in life, regardless of race, ethnicity, or the community in which they live.5

Resilience: The process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress – such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors.6

Social Justice: The concept of fair and just relations between the individual and society. This is measured by the explicit and tacit terms for the distribution of power, wealth, education, healthcare, and other opportunities for personal activity and social privileges.2

Systemic Discrimination: The patterns of behavior, policies or practices that are part of the structures of an organization and which create or perpetuate disadvantage for racialized persons.7 

Sources

1. American Psychological Association. (2019, October 31). Discrimination: What it is, and how to cope. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/racism-bias-discrimination/types-stress
2. (2020). Awake To Woke To Work: Building a Race Equity Culture. Equity in the Center. https://equityinthecenter.org/aww/
3. Cornell, S., & Hartmann, D. (2007). Ethnicity and Race: Making Identities in a Changing World. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press. Retrieved from https://genderedinnovations.stanford.edu/terms/race.html
4. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Just. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/just
5. The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2020, August 24). Equity vs. Equality and Other Racial Justice Definitions. Retrieved from https://www.aecf.org/blog/racial-justice-definitions
6. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Building your resilience. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience
7. Ontario Human Rights Coalition. (n.d.). Racism and racial discrimination: Systemic discrimination (fact sheet). Retrieved from http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/racism-and-racial-discrimination-systemic-discrimination-fact-sheet

This policy was voted on by the Delegation March 24 2024

The results were:
34 member RNOs  responded
35 Delegates Yes/Approve
5   Delegates No/Disapprove
3   Delegates Abstain