AASP Newsletter - January 2019

We are excited to announce the approval of AASP's Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Council. Under the direction of the D&I Division Head, the Council will serve as an advisory board to the organization and consist of select AASP members and external members to advocate for organizationally inclusive and socially-just practices. The Council will assist in developing a D&I strategy for AASP and help the D&I Division Head make strategic partnerships with sport organizations and programs that can enhance and diversify our current work.

We are asking for members' input concerning professionals, athletes, and experts in sport who may be ideal for the Council. If you'd like to nominate a person to be considered for the Council, please email their name, contact information, and a brief bio to Leeja Carter by February 1, 2019 at Leeja.carter@liu.edu. 

Criteria for Council Membership

A thought leader on issues of diversity, inclusion, or social justice in sport, exercise, and health settings with 10 or more years experience working with diverse populations addressing organizational inequity through talks, trainings, and formal discussions. Additional qualifications include: 
•    Experience working with national and international sport and entertainment organizations and professionals;
•    Prior experience in sports entertainment and/or sport for development and peace initiatives;
•    A recognized thought-leader on issues of diversity, inclusion, and engagement;
•    Strong business acumen;
•    Established relationships with national and international community leaders preferred;
•    Established relationships with professional and community sporting nonprofits;

Knowledge of:
•    Advanced theories and principles related to social justice, organizational management, international relations;
•    Strategy development and management principles and practices;
•    Diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices;
•    Sport politics and justice;
•    Program management and development principles;
•    1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1991 Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other applicable laws (like equivalent legislature in other countries around the world);
•    Higher education principles and practices;
•    Training methods and best practices;
•    Conflict resolution and mediation methods;
•    Current trends in training sport helping professionals. 

Related skills:
•    Providing strategic leadership;
•    Cultural competency;
•    Working with diverse academic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff;
•    Collaboration and consensus building;
•    Managing change and sensitive topics;
•    Offering viable solutions for problem solving;
•    Communicating effectively through oral and written mediums;

Able to:
•    Understand, be sensitive to, and respect the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disabilities and sexual orientation of diverse student and professional membership;
•    Effectively communicate both in writing and verbally;
•    Maintain a professional demeanor during emotionally charged, difficult, or high-pressure situations;
•    Commitment to meet for council meetings.