Resolution Open for Voting: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement for the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior
The Advisory Committee on Public Policy approved this resolution to proceed through the SNEB resolution process on July 18. This resolution was open for online comments from August 2 to August 12.
Procedures for voting on proposed resolutions:
The resolutions electronic ballot will be open for 25 days following close of the final comment period. A resolution will be approved if at least 15% of the members cast ballots and a majority of those voting approve the resolution. Voting begins 11/4 and ends 11/28.
Vote: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SNEBDEIResolution
Title: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement for the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Resolution: The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior embodies the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) in our membership, educational endeavors, research, and leadership. Our membership comprises a broad range of food-, food system-, food sector-, and nutrition-related practitioners, academics, researchers, policymakers, government officials, and advocates. SNEB Membership is also diverse in culture, race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, food access, ability and lived experience, and the people they engage are just as varied. SNEB will actively work towards ensuring that the next generation of practitioners is diverse and equipped to support the JEDI principles in their (professional and personal) practices.
SNEB supports communities as experts in understanding their needs and collaborators in problem-solving. We believe all populations should have access to community conditions and opportunities needed to reach their full potential and experience optimal well-being, including systems and environments free from oppression and culturally sustaining nutrition education. Addressing inequities in the places where people are born, grow, play, pray, live, work, learn and age is critical. We also recognize that the collection of equity, diversity, and inclusion data is, crucial to identifying gaps and areas of future work, and support the need for expanded research in these areas.
To guide the incorporation of JEDI principles in all we do, the SNEB DEI Committee proposes that program and activity developers use the following questions to assess their activities through a JEDI lens:
- How can we make racial equity more explicit in this project/activity/committee?
- How can we include education regarding marginalized groups and biases to provide training, appropriate language usage and research to align with the SNEB strategic plan?
- What partners and/or groups will this project/decision impact and how will we engage those impacted in the development of this work?
- What percentage of our resources are being directed toward activities that support areas of highest need, with an emphasis on communities of color?
- How is this project supporting knowledge, attitudes and behavior that expand authentic commitment to enhancing racial equity and food justice?
- Is there other justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations that are important to address in light of SNEB’s guiding principles, values, and commitment to becoming an anti-racist, multicultural organization?
Members endorsing the resolution: SNEB DEI Committee Members
- Chair – Susan Stephenson Martin
- Board Representative – Stephany Parker
- Student representation – Ayron Walker
- Professional representation- Marie Fialkowski
- Past President representation- Martha Archuleta
- Organizational representation – Karen Basinger
- Membership representation – Elizabeth Alden
- SNEB Foundation/Research – Pascasie Adedze
- Collaborator– Marie Allsopp
Relevance of the Resolution: In 2019, SNEB updated their mission and goals to highlight the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The statement described in this resolution is a step to institutionalize that mission. In particular, this statement advances the SNEB goal to “Build a dynamic Society of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers worldwide engaged in nutrition education and behavior activities.” It also acts on the guiding principles and values of SNEB and SNEB foundation, particularly those related to Equity, Inclusion, Openness, and Respect.
Anticipated use of the Resolution: The DEI Statement can be released as a Press Release and should be included in the “About” page on the SNEB website for public reference. It can also be published in a “From SNEB” editorial in JNEB. JEDI principle five questions incorporated into agendas for committees, divisions, and task forces.
Estimated Cost of Carrying out Resolution: The proposed resolution should be at no cost to SNEB other than a small amount of time to read and possibly share the Statement. There is also a small-time commitment for SNEB members on the DEI committee.