Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Halifax Lancers is committed to fostering an environment of belonging where all people can enjoy the amazing benefits of interacting with horses while feeling respected, valued, safe, and welcome.
To proactively ensure that the needs of current and future Lancers are being met, we’ve developed an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) statement and policies to help guide us. They are included below and we encourage you to read them. Our Board of Directors has also formed an EDI Committee whose focus will be to provide direction and guidance on EDI policies, programs, initiatives, and proactive strategies to advance inclusion at Halifax Lancers.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement
Halifax Lancers staff, members, volunteers, program participants, and community are treated equitably, and members of diverse groups are included, recognized, welcomed, and valued.
The purpose of this statement is to confirm that Halifax Lancers are committed to being an organization that values and promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. It is important that our staff, members, volunteers, program participants, and community are valued and respected regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or physical ability.
This policy applies to all Halifax Lancers staff, members, volunteers, program participants, and guides the expectations of values held by our Board of Directors.
Halifax Lancers will:
• Demonstrate leadership regarding equity, diversity, and inclusion including review of its own processes, policies, documents, and training programs, and strive to be responsible and answerable to its members, staff, volunteers, program participants, and Board of Directors on these matters.
• Deliver ongoing information, training, and resource support to help staff, members, volunteers, program participants, and Board of Directors develop the capacity to address equity, diversity, and inclusion issues, and understand their rights and responsibilities.
• Provide guidance to staff about their roles in implementing this policy, including providing information about how to file a complaint. Halifax Lancers will develop ways to support committees and staff in incorporating specific, measurable equity, diversity, and inclusion provisions into their work.
• Cultivate a safe and respectful environment for staff, members, volunteers, and board members that is free from all forms of discrimination, bullying, and harassment. Any staff, members, volunteers, program participants, or board members found to have engaged in such conduct will be counselled and disciplined. Severe or repeated breaches will lead to suspension or dismissal.
• Proactively seek to increase diversity among its staff, members, program participants, and Board of Directors. In particular, review and revise the new member intake policy to increase diversity among its membership, with an aim to have a membership that mirrors the diversity of the applicants on the Halifax Lancer waiting lists.
• Actively solicit viewpoints from diverse groups within Halifax Lancers and our community to help guide strategic decisions and best practices with respect to attracting individuals from underrepresented groups.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Incident Intake Form
Halifax Lancers are committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities.
If you have experienced discrimination or harassment within the Lancer Community, we want to know about it and are here to support you.
Process Overview:
All forms will be first reviewed in confidence by our Operations Manager who will then direct your request to the appropriate member(s) of the EDI Incident Response Team. This team consists of our Operations Manager, Executive Director and Head Coach, President of our Board of Directors, and our EDI committee. You will receive a response within 5 business days through the preferred avenue of communication (unless no response needed has been indicated) and together with our EDI Incident Response Team, we will work with you to identify next steps and agree to the terms of support.