10 Ways to make your club more inclusive (without spending a cent!)
One of the biggest myths about making inclusion happen in sport is that it costs a lot of money. This is simply not true! There are plenty of things you can do that won’t cost you a cent.
At Inclusive Sport Design we are all about helping you take action to make inclusion happen. So here’s a list of simple, effective and most importantly FREE things you can take action on today.
1. Appoint an inclusion officer
An inclusion officer is responsible for ensuring your club’s commitment to inclusion is upheld everyday. They lead, assist and advise members ensuring individual needs are met. Enroll in the Inclusive Club Kick Starter course to find out how to recruit your own inclusion officer (among other key inclusion actions).
2. Adapt and modify
You can change the way you do things to cater for the needs of all members. This could include the way you coach, your club rules, the equipment you use and even the environment. Learn more in this post.
3. Invite people
Spread the word! Send an email or even visit local community groups to invite them to join your club. If people know they’re welcome they will turn up. Learn more in this post.
4. Partner up
Choose one or two local community groups that represent your target market. Find ways to help their clients or members join in your club activities. Learn more in this post.
5. Listen
Understanding what people want to do helps make inclusion happen. Talk to your target market, listen to what they have to say, then take action. Learn more in this post.
6. Find a mentor
There’s no need to go it alone! Find another club or person doing great things who can advise and guide you. Learn from their successes and failures. Join the ISD Community Group to connect with people doing amazing things.
7. Put the person first
This is fundamental to inclusion success. Treat each member as an individual, understand their needs and motivations. Avoid defining people by difference. Learn more in this post.
8. Focus on ability
Everybody has different experience, ability and capacity. Find out what people can do and maximise this, while also accommodating for their individual needs. Learn more in this post.
9. Make a plan
Get your committee and members together and create an action plan. This ensures your club makes a commitment and sets goals to achieve. Check your progress regularly. Enroll in the Inclusion Action Plans that Work course to develop your won plan for inclusion.
10. Tell the world!
Telling your local community about your clubs commitment to inclusion will keep you accountable and new members will know they are welcome. Check out our Inclusion in Action Videos in the ISD Community Hub.
Next Steps
So, here is your challenge. Choose just one of these things and go take action on it this week.
Head over to the ISD Community Group and share how you went! Go and make inclusion happen. Good luck!
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2023 Diversity Calendar
An excellent way to show your commitment to and promote inclusion is to celebrate days, events and festivals that are important to the many diverse groups in your community. Doing so helps people feel acknowledged and represented. It also helps raise awareness and educate your sport club or organisation. Take a look at the 2022 Calendar of diversity days, celebrations and festivals.
