Kernow Men’s Society Equality and Diversity Policy:-
Aims:-
Kernow Men’s Society (hereinafter KMS for reasons of simplicity) is open to all all men over the age 18 and living in the general vicinity of mid Cornwall. We aim to help the Society to have an atmosphere of friendship, respect and care for each other. In particular, we aim to treat every member equally, regardless of their age (bar being 18+), disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief.
Accessibility:-
All our meetings and events are either held in venues that are accessible to wheelchair users or ones that we will make accessible to wheelchair users.
When we organise outings for our members we provide free places for carers of members who can only attend if they bring a carer.
We are committed to ensuring any members of KMS are able to attend our activities, so we will reassess our access requirements to meet the needs of new members.
Diversity:-
Our Society belongs to all members. We aim to organise a range of events and activities to suit the interests and meet the needs of a wide variety of people.
For example, we hold a Christmas party each year and, because an aim of the Society is to grow the membership, would welcome the opportunity to hold other such parties for prospective members of different faiths.
The Society should be open to new ideas, and particularly prioritise opportunities for members to share their cultural heritage with one another.
Inclusion and respect:-
Every member of KMS should be made to feel equally welcome and included at all of KMS’s meetings and events.
Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise offensive and inflammatory remarks and behaviour are not acceptable. These constitute harassment, and have no place in the Society.
Dealing with discrimination and harassment:-
If any member feels they have been discriminated against by the Society or harassed at a Society event they should raise this with the Committee.
The Committee will investigate the complaint, listening to all members involved. (If the complaint is against a Committee member, that member will not be part of conducting the investigation).
If the complaint is against a particular individual, this person will have the opportunity to express their point of view, accompanied by a friend. The person making the complaint will also have this opportunity.
If the complaint is against the Society as a whole, the Committee must work to ensure that such discrimination is not repeated in the future, and must inform the members of how they propose to do this.
Any decision to exclude a person from the organisation due to discriminatory or harassing behaviour will be made with reference to the Society’s constitution. The Society will support people who feel they have been harassed or discriminated against, and will not victimise or treat them less well because they have raised this.
This policy was adopted at a meeting of Kernow Men’s Society on August 13th 2018 and will be reviewed at least every 2 years.
Signed: Mark Fanning (Chairman)
Signed: Peter Banwell-Clode (Secretary)
Signed: Mark Logan (Treasurer)
