When you hear the word “Diversity” what do you think of? Do you automatically think of ethnicity or race? While those are important pieces of the puzzle, they are just that, pieces. There are many pieces of the diversity puzzle and PTA should make every effort to bring those pieces together for the common goal. Every child. One voice.
Your Arkansas PTA State Board of Managers recently held their Winter Board meeting and one of the items on the agenda was the adoption of the Arkansas PTA Diversity and Inclusion Policy. What we cannot do is forget about the inclusion part of the puzzle. As we work to be inclusive and make others feel welcome in our PTAs, the natural progression is for our PTAs to become more diverse and grow. Think back to the first PTA meeting you went to or when you were new to the school and how you felt. Did you feel welcome? Did you feel like you were a vital part of the meeting? If not, what could have been different to change that first impression?
If everyone feels welcome and that their experience and voice matters, they will become more involved. Wouldn’t it be great if by making an effort to be inclusive that your PTA and school’s parent involvement doubled? Think about the wonderful benefits that would bring to each of your students.We live in a very diverse world and need to understand that there are many cultures, backgrounds and experiences that each person brings to the table. I encourage you to strive to do your part to make your PTAs be “inclusive”…with that, we will become a stronger, more diversified voice.
For the children,
Frances Brown
Arkansas PTA President
