Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Policy (DEIB)

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The Medical Equipment Lending Society of Western Alberta (The M.E.L. Society) is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all individuals we serve, our staff, volunteers, and partners.  We recognize that our strength lies in the diversity of our community and our ability to serve all people in need of medical equipment, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Diversity: We value and celebrate the unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person who they are.  We actively seek to include a variety of voices and experiences in our organization and decision-making processes.

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Equity: We are dedicated to ensuring fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all individuals.  We strive to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented full participation of some groups in our services and operations

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Inclusion: We create an environment where all individuals feel respected, supported, and valued. We actively work to foster a culture where everyone can participate fully in the organization's activities and services.

Belonging: We aim to cultivate an atmosphere where all individuals feel they are an integral part of our community, regardless of their background, abilities, or socioeconomic status. To uphold these principles, we commit to:

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• Providing medical equipment to anyone in need, without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status.

• Actively seeking diverse perspectives in our decision-making processes and leadership roles.

• Regularly reviewing and improving our policies, practices, and services to ensure they promote equity and inclusion.

• Offering training and education to our staff and volunteers on DEIB principles and practices.

• Collaborating with diverse community partners to expand our reach and impact.

• Ensuring our communication and outreach efforts are accessible and inclusive to all members of our community.

• Regularly assessing and reporting on our progress in implementing DEIB initiatives.

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We believe that by embracing diversity, promoting equity, fostering inclusion, and cultivating a sense of belonging, we can better serve our community and fulfill our mission of improving the quality of life for individuals in need of medical equipment. This policy applies to all aspects of our operations, including but not limited to equipment lending, volunteer recruitment, staff hiring, partnerships, and community engagement. We are committed to continuously improving our DEIB efforts and welcome feedback from all stakeholders to help us create a more inclusive and equitable organization.