Cranford Equity and Inclusivity Initiative - Action Planning Meetings

Good afternoon Cranford Community!

As you know the members of the Equity and Inclusivity Initiative are desirous of coming together as a community to: 1) examine and identify current strengths, weaknesses and opportunities that will advance our efforts; 2) determine a shared vision of inclusivity for our community; and 3) formulate a strategic plan, inclusive of goals, objectives, and actionable steps that will, ultimately, realize our vision for an equitable and inclusive community.

Action planning committees, listed below, are currently being formed in order to further these efforts.   The draft mission/vision statements below provide context to each committee’s purpose.  Please note that these are not the final or actual mission and vision statements, but can serve as a draft.  The final mission, vision and goals will be created by the collective group.  We look forward to hearing your ideas on these topics when we meet.   

Draft Action Committee Mission / Vision Statements:

1. Each committee is dedicated to help eliminate unfair and unjust practices toward Black and Brown people, other people of color and any group that is or has been slighted by society and has been traditionally and systemically kept at a disadvantage. This includes women, LGBTQ+ and religious groups, among others. 

2. Each committee will help to make Cranford a community that is genuinely committed to making all people feel welcome, safe and accepted by proactively and continually striving to be a leader, when it comes to equity and inclusivity in real life practice.

Action Planning Committees

1. Education (this committee will also include reading groups)

2. Just and Transparent Policing (in a Democratic Society)

3. Equitable Hiring and Promotional Practices and Better Recruitment of Minority Led Business (to make sure these groups are represented and included in all aspects of the community and across the scape of the town).

4. Religion

5. Health, Safety and Support Networks

6. Political Representation in Town (to make sure these groups are represented and included in all aspects of the community and across the scape of the town).

7. Resources and Administrative (this group will meet at a separate time)

Please select one or more groups that you would like to actively participate in and attend a meeting by clicking this link to RSVP or scanning the QR code:

You will receive an on-boarding video to help your group set strategic planning expectations and goals prior to the group meetings. Two steering committee members will join in as facilitators during these first meetings.

It is important to keep the positive energy and momentum going. The recent events have the power to ignite real change faster than usual.  Far too often, catalytic events take place that cause a movement, that after a short while, fizzle out along with a drop off in the number of motivated supporters and volunteers, and in the end, not much changes. It is our responsibility to stoke these sparks of change into a controlled burn that will last for years to come.  So far the community response to this initiative has been very positive. We look forward to making real change with all who choose to actively participate.  .

Please make sure to share this email with any community members that you feel would like to participate in the Cranford Equity and Inclusivity Initiative. Interested individuals can sign up through this link (http://bit.ly/37G4qGv)

Thank you,

 

Cranford Township Committee, Cranford Board of Education, NAACP, the Cranford Clergy Council, and additional concerned citizens