In May 2022 we conducted a Diversity & Inclusion survey. 124 (23%) of 540 members responded.
Introduction to the 2022 survey
In the re-opening phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, the club committee felt it would be useful to ask members what attracts them to participate in club life and how we can be a club where everyone feels welcome and included. This is what the survey covered:
- Participation in club training
- Participation in club socials
- Should the club offer anything else?
- Addressing some discomfort about midweek running sessions & speed
- Can we help you with injury?
- Is there anything that stops you from participating in club activities?
- Do you volunteer for the club?
- What were the conclusions/actions, if any?
- Have you felt harassed or disrespected?
- Does the club meet your needs if you have a disability?
- How can the club appeal to a wider section of the local population?
The survey questions are available for download below:
Diversity and Inclusion Survey Update, 18th July 2022
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to complete our diversity and inclusion survey. As a club we exist for our members, so it is important that we take the time to hear from all of you. We are working through the vast and detailed responses we received from over 120 people (out of just over 510 active members) This means we have some great insights into how we make the club a better and more inclusive place. This covers training/coaching, socialising, volunteering and racing/participating. Your responses highlighted some of the great work the coaches, volunteers and committee are already doing and the value many of you are getting by being members. Overall, you had some lovely things to say with a few builds that will make us even better, which was very reassuring.
As we continue to digest your responses, we wanted to just say a couple of things early on as some members told us that they had not always felt included and respected. Given that, it is worth remembering that our club ethos concludes with the statement, ‘…we are committed to treating people in a respectful, fair and consistent manner at all times.’
We have a club code of conduct and expect our members to adhere to this. If anyone ever sees any behaviour contrary to this, please reach out to your welfare officers ([email protected]) who are there to support you and your fellow club members. We say this, because some people raised the fact that they did not know where to go or where to report poor behaviour but also because there have been isolated instances of non-inclusive behaviour.
Exclusionary behaviour can be intended or unintended and can range from ignoring someone in a group conversation (cold shouldering), include microaggressions (confusing one person of colour with another because ‘they all look the same’, saying something like ‘you run/cycle/swim fast for a woman’ to a female athlete or ‘I don’t think you should participate in cross country because of all the uneven ground’ to a disabled athlete without knowing what they are comfortable with), to outright racist, sexist or homophobic behaviours or language (or in fact hostile behaviour to any of the protected characteristics or based on someone’s demographics). Note – that these are not specific microaggressions witnessed/experienced within the club but some examples that could occur.
Microaggressions are instances of subtle, indirect discrimination against a marginalised group. They are commonly experienced by racial minorities but can also be based on other attributes including gender, sexuality, and physical ability. Read more here.
Really, it’s just about thinking before you say or do something and questioning how you might feel if in the reverse situation. We recognise that nobody would want to consciously make anyone feel uncomfortable, but we do need to all be alert to exclusionary behaviour, especially microaggressions and their impact.
As we progress with understanding key themes in the survey results, we will engage the relevant roles in the committee to work together to implement any improvements. We will keep you updated and also continue to share what we find.
Outcome of the survey – next steps and actions taken
- Parkrun pacing – to increase our presence in the local running community
- Reminded our members about our code of conduct and behaviour expectations
- Adjusted our language and session during the week, to focus on running for time, so nobody feels excluded
- Reviewing the type of socials we have, so they aren’t only running/activity focussed or about having a drink.
- Started to communicate better across the club
- Set up some specific marathon training groups to connect people
- Reminded members about code of conduct & behaviour expectations
