What is diversity? Commonly the term diversity is tied to race but, in reality diversity includes much more than race. Are we inclusive PTAs, if not how can we become an inclusion PTA? Virginia PTA is implementing a new committee in 2010 to address these areas.

National PTA has placed much emphasis on diversity and inclusion, having recently adopted a Diversity and Inclusion Policy.  National PTA uses the following definitions for Diversity and Inclusion:

Diversity means including and realizing the potential of everyone regardless of age, ethnicity, language and culture, economic status, educational background, gender, geographic location, marital status, mental ability, national origin, organizational position and tenure, parental status, physical ability, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and work experience.

Inclusion is defined as a practice of ensuring that people in organizations feel they belong, are engaged, and connected through their work to the goals and objectives of the organization.

The Diversity and Inclusion committee will work toward increasing participants' cultural awareness  and knowledge, increasing the inclusion of different identity groups, and promoting better teamwork within Virginia PTA to include; local units, councils, districts and regions.

To assist units, councils, districts, and regions in instituting, incorporating, and implementing policies that will encourage wider participation in the PTA through community outreach programs, as well as partnerships and collaborations between community stakeholders, organizations.

Virginia PTA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee is designed to:

• Help develop and expand Virginia PTA’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan
• Address challenges that PTA’s face in the areas of diversity and inclusion
• Assist local PTA’s to ensure their unit reflects the communities they serve
• Assist local PTA’s in their efforts to become more inclusive and provide resources to help make each family feel invited and valued.

• Create programs to educate leaders and members on the needs, cultural beliefs, traditions and family structures of the population they serve
  • Provide resources that can give insight into different cultures
  • Assist in translating material