CADETS TO BEGIN ORGANIZATION-WIDE EQUALITY & INCLUSION TRAINING

Since last summer, The Cadets Equality and Inclusion Committee has met regularly with the purpose of creating a strong organizational foundation in some of the most important and sensitive areas in our society today. Their dialogue focuses on mindfulness, insight and progress, and as we begin a new year, that dialogue transitions into an ongoing, organization-wide training.

As part of The Cadets’ full-corps rehearsal and meeting later this month, the E&I Committee will roll out a mandatory training for the entire organization, including corps members; instructional, administrative and operations staff; the board of directors; and eventually volunteers as well. Committee Chair Vicki Ferrence Ray will lead the monthly training sessions virtually with the hope of transitioning to in-person in the future.

The training format will include a formal presentation on various topics and a review of related Cadets Arts & Entertainment policies. Following the training, E&I Committee members will lead small-group discussions guided by prepared questions. In addition to necessary training and discussion, these small groups will provide an unprecedented opportunity for Cadets, office staff, volunteers, board members and instructors to share ideas and interact in a meaningful way.

Equality and Inclusion Training Schedule and Topics:

• January
  • Introduction and status update
  • Race, ethnicity and religion
• February
  • Feminism and misogyny
  • Sexual harassment
  • Abuse and assault
• March
  • Sex, gender, orientation and identity
  • LGBTQIAP+ and pronouns
• April
  • Class and socioeconomic status
  • Equality, equity and justice
• May
  • Guided Discussion: How to recognize and address inequality and isms in drum corps
• June
  • Review of all policies and procedures, chain of command and reporting

“The Cadets is committed to providing a balanced, safe and educational environment for all employees, contractors, participants, and volunteers. The Cadets firmly believes that everyone should be treated equally and fairly” (an excerpt from The Cadets Non-Discrimination Policy).

The Equality an Inclusion committee is a committee of the CAE Board of directors and is comprised of a diverse representation of board members, staff, corps members, alumni, and volunteers. The committee is led by Denise Bonfiglio, CEO, Vicki Ferrence Ray, Committee Co-Chair and Compliance Officer, and Darcie Aungst, Commitee Co-Chair and Cadets Artistic Director.