In support of NBOA’s mission to advance independent schools and promote best business practices, the NBOA Board of Directors is committed to intentionality and action regarding diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). DE&I are important to the individuals who comprise and engage with the association and critical to our personal and collective success. The statement and values that we put forward to our community are aspirational and essential to advancing DE&I meaningfully within the association and its work. NBOA’s DE&I efforts are to be all encompassing, with a commitment from the NBOA Board of Directors, as well as its professional staff, members, business partners and volunteers.
Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
In principle and in practice, NBOA values and seeks inclusion and diversity within our community. NBOA is committed to providing a welcoming and equitable environment with opportunities for engagement regardless of an individual's ability, age, appearance, ethnicity, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, professional level, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
Diversity refers to the composition of a group of people from any number of demographic backgrounds, identities (both innate and selected), and the collective strength of their experiences, beliefs, values, skills and perspectives.
An equitable environment challenges intentional and unintentional forms of bias, harassment and discrimination, and promotes alternative actions. Because an environment can be welcoming and inequitable, an equitable organization will aim to recognize and eliminate barriers to full participation at individual and systemic levels.
Inclusion is the act of establishing philosophies, policies, practices and procedures so that organizations and individuals contributing to the association's success have equal access to opportunities, information and resources.