Drivers for Change – Use Inclusive Outreach
Equity Framework > Drivers for Change > Inclusive Outreach
Inclusive outreach is about connecting with and potentially building relationships with specific individuals and/or groups in order to share information, engage with, raise awareness, or provide a service.
Inclusive outreach includes transparent and ongoing activities that have the potential to build strong, meaningful, and sustainable relationships and partnerships. This outreach takes time, consistent follow-up, and thoughtful planning. Outreach may be broad, by using multiple communication tools, or targeted in order to reach groups that tend not to participate.
With inclusive outreach, the goal is not just about engaging representatives from different groups but supporting a process in which multiple perspectives are voiced, decision-making is collective, and different opinions and worldviews are respected. Being inclusive in outreach also requires making sure different truths are shared in findings, in ways that can influence next steps.
Adopted from:
- The Inclusive Outreach And Public Engagement Guide. Retrieved from https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/RSJI/GRE/IOPEguide01-11-12.pdf
- The Principles for Equitable and Inclusive Civic Engagement. Retrieved from
http://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ki-civic-engagement.pdf - Racial Equity Tools – Tip sheets: How can we Assess Our Community, and What are the Initial Steps and Considerations for Doing Racial Equity Work? Retrieved from
http://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/How_Can_We_Assess_Our_Community__And_What_Are_The_Initial_Steps_And_Considerations_For_Doing_Racial_Equity_Work.pdf
Further Reading / Additional resources
Inclusive Outreach And Public Engagement Guide prepared by Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI), The City of Seattle. This is intended to be a practical guide and resource for public servants.
https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/RSJI/GRE/IOPEguide01-11-12.pdf
Warren, M. R., Hong, S., Rubin, C.L. & Uy, P.S. Beyond the Bake Sale: A Community-Based, Relational Approach to Parent Engagement in Schools. Teachers College Record. 2009;111 (9) :2209-2254.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242602246_Beyond_the_Bake_Sale_A_Community_Based_Relational_Approach_to_Parent_Engagement_in_Schools
City of Ottawa and City for All Women Initiative. 2015. Equity and Inclusion Lens Handbook. Ottawa, ON: CAWI.
http://www.cawi-ivtf.org/sites/default/files/publications/ei-lens-handbook-2015_0.pdf
Sample Tools
McMaster University’s Planning for Accessibility A Checklist for Inclusion is a reference document to help identify, remove and prevent barriers that may prevent persons from diverse backgrounds from fully participating in the planned activities.
https://accessibility.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2019/07/Accessibility-Checklist-6.docx
Cultural Competence Continuum Table in the Inclusive Outreach And Public Engagement Guide (page 6-7)
https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/RSJI/GRE/IOPEguide01-11-12.pdf
Civic or Community Engagement section on Racial Equity Tools’ website.
https://www.racialequitytools.org/act/strategies/civic-or-community-engagement
Core Principles for Public Engagement from Resource Guide on Public Engagement
http://www.ncdd.org/files/NCDD2010_Resource_Guide.pdf
Alberta Urban Municipalities Association. 2014. Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Toolkit: Templates and Tools for Alberta’s Municipalities. Edmonton, AB: AUMA
https://www.auma.ca/sites/default/files/Advocacy/Programs_Initiatives/WIC/auma_met_august_25_2014_0.pdf
Racial Equity Tools – Tip sheets: How can we Assess Our Community, and What are the Initial Steps and Considerations for Doing Racial Equity Work? Retrieved from
http://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/How_Can_We_Assess_Our_Community__And_What_Are_The_Initial_Steps_And_Considerations_For_Doing_Racial_Equity_Work.pdf