Committee Members:
Co-Chairs: Omar Ellis & Guido Kelly
Members: Gwen Waeijen, Omar Ellis, Ann Massel, Guido Kelly, Marichu Marra, Al Almon, Jim Paddon

Mandate: Reporting to the Board of Directors, ONRC MCDC is responsible for the education of SSVP members on systemic racism and the need for diversity and inclusion in the Society. The committee is to provide educational resources and information for Vincentians on how systemic racism affects BIPOC persons (Black, Indigenous & People of Colour), especially those living in poverty. The committee will further the dialogue and collaboration with other active BIPOC groups who share the Society’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Make recommendations to the Board regarding best practices in encouraging multicultural diversity, inclusion, and equity with a view to assisting and educating the Board, its members, Committees, Councils and Conferences and all Vincentian members on how systemic racism affects BIPOC persons (Black, Indigenous & People of Colour) especially those living in poverty.
• Draft and/or make recommendations to the Board regarding the conduct of Board and Committees on its mandate to educate and inform Vincentians about systemic racism and its impact in our society.
• To identify and research the causes of systemic racism, poverty and social injustice that are significant to the work of the Society.
• To develop briefing papers, informational (educational) materials such as position papers, newsletters, pamphlets on identified MCDC issues.
• To uphold Inclusion as a core value to encourage collective responsibility while collaborating with other like-minded BIPOC organizations to further the goal of a more just and equal society.
• To work with the Board in the development of strategic plans which commit to the principles of Diversity and Inclusion in all communications and community engagements, including all forms of hiring practices.

Activity during 2024:
The (name of) committee met regularly (# times) by electronic means and completed the following activities for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2024.
The ONRC MCDC has been meeting monthly by electronic means and completed the following activities:

• Ongoing Communications - Vincentimes, Website & Facebook
• Meeting Presentations by SMEs on Diversity & Inclusion
• Members’ Workshop at ONRC Spring AGM: How Servant-Leadership Informs Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Members’ Workshop at National Council ANF 2024: Serving in Hope in our Multicultural Society
• Members’ Workshop at ONRC Fall Assembly Meeting: Serving in Hope in our Multicultural Society
• Resubmission to the new Na􀆟onal Council Board the recommenda􀆟on for changes to GOV 016 Diversity and Inclusion Policy Framework dated June 2021

Focus of activity for 2025:
The Members’ Workshop continues to identify further areas of concern:

• Continue to use the newsletters, communications and ongoing workshops.
• Develop and publish MCDC Quick Reference Guides for Conference members.
• More about how people can work together. People say that they are inclusive but put the brakes on when it’s time to take action.
• How to successfully engage other organizations to discuss how we can all work together on these pressing topics – Transgender, Mental illness.
• How to draw other cultures into our conferences. No one is turned away. No judgement!

Omar Ellis & Guido Kelly - Co-Chairs
MultiCultural Diversity Committee of SSVP Ontario Regional Council

---