Idaho AFS Logo

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Chairpersons

Rob Van Kirk
rob@henrysfork.org

Kat Gillies-Rector

Overview

The Equal Opportunities Section (EOS) of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) was founded in 1991 to "encourage the exchange of information pertinent to the promotion of employment, education, scholarship, participation, professionalism, and recruitment for all individuals in the fisheries profession." As a Chapter, ICAFS first addressed issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at its 2022 annual meeting. The theme of that meeting—"Removing Barriers: Opening Pathways to the Fisheries Profession"—grew out of grassroots requests from ICAFS members to the meeting planning committee for workshops, presentations, and accommodations that would open discussions about ways to promote DEI within the chapter. The success of the 2022 ICAFS meeting led to ICAFS and Shoshone-Bannock Tribal member Dr. Sammy Matsaw being invited to conduct a workshop on cultural competence and deliver a plenary address on indigenous perspectives at the 2022 American Fisheries Society meeting in Spokane. As host of the 2023 Western Division AFS (WDAFS) meeting, ICAFS ensured that DEI components were included in that meeting. ICAFS was recognized for its efforts to promote DEI with the WDAFS Diversity and Inclusion Service Award. The chapter’s DEI efforts also contributed to the chapter’s receipt of the WDAFS and AFS Outstanding Chapter awards in 2023.

To build upon these initial DEI initiatives and ensure that they will continue into the future, the ICAFS formed a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee in December 2023.

Mission

To increase the participation and equitable treatment of members of the Idaho Chapter of AFS by creating programs, educational opportunities, and annual meeting accommodations that further inclusion and representation of historically underrepresented and marginalized groups.

Goals and Objectives

  1. Governance:
    1. Create a guiding document to implement diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the chapter and develop metrics to measure success.
    2. Participate in the WDAFS Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
  2. Education and Training:
    1. Create continuing education opportunities that educate fisheries professionals in Idaho about topics related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in natural resources fields.
    2. With the leadership of tribal representatives, center tribal perspectives through the development of specific and frequent continuing education opportunities that focus on traditional tribal stewardship of resources and tribal fisheries management.
  3. Equity and Access:
    1. Increase accessibility of meetings by seeking opportunities to provide fee waivers or scholarships for meeting attendees from underrepresented groups.
  4. Affinity and Support:
    1. Protect the safety and well-being of members and meeting participants by distributing guidelines for meeting conduct and safety, ensuring the chapter enforces the AFS Meetings Code of Conduct, and providing mechanisms for reporting misconduct and suggesting specific actions to improve safety and inclusion at all Chapter functions.
    2. Continue to develop and provide affirming features and accommodations that improve the experience of fisheries professionals at the annual meeting. These include but are not limited to resources for the hearing impaired, lactation room and childcare opportunities for parents, gender-neutral restrooms, encouraging attendees to include personal pronouns on nametags, resources for students and first-time attendees, and affinity events for historically underrepresented groups.
    3. Ensure that meetings will be safe for all attendees, and send out guidelines for meeting conduct and safety. Devise ways for members to report misconduct, let others know about problem areas, ask for help, etc. - perhaps through a conference app.
  5. Representation:
    1. Provide resources and support to Chapter officers and to members considering running for elected chapter office to increase the diversity of candidates nominated for elected positions.
    2. Provide resources and support to chapter committees to increase the diversity of nominees for chapter awards.