Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Call for BIPoC Focus Group Participants

As part of an ongoing organization-wide initiative to build equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at TUTS, we are working to create safer spaces for all our BIPoC community members – from performers, creative teams, and crew to staff and front-of-house volunteers.

During the summer of 2021, we will be holding a series of focus groups to hear more from BIPoC community members who are impacted by racism. The focus groups will be hosted and facilitated by Bakau Consulting, a Vancouver-based anti-racism consulting company with whom we are thrilled to be working. Thoughts and feedback shared in focus groups will remain anonymous, but will help us in developing policies and practices that pertain to EDI and anti-racism at all levels of the organization. 

Eligibility

  • We are looking for BIPoC (Black and Indigenous people and people of colour) participants. We recognize race is complicated and invite people to self-identify. This group includes people who are mixed-race and white passing. No one’s identity will be policed.
  • Participants must have a past or present working relationship with TUTS (performers, front of house volunteers, orchestra, creative teams, crew, and/or staff).

Process 

  • The focus groups will last 1 hour each, and will be facilitated by a third party via Zoom.
  • Each focus group will include approximately 8-10 people.
  • Each participant will receive compensation of $50 for their time and labour.

FAQs

  • Who is facilitating the sessions? The sessions will be facilitated by a member of the Bakau Consulting team. The facilitator will also be a person of colour.
  • What will be discussed during the sessions? The facilitator will ask questions about your time with TUTS (both positive and negative aspects), your feelings of belonging, and so on, to get a fuller picture of how BIPoC experience TUTS.
  • What happens with our input? The information will be compiled into findings and outcomes for TUTS and used to inform new policies and other DEI initiatives in the future.
  • Is this anonymous? You will be in the session with 8-10 other people, but the information you share will not be attributed to your name or contain any other identifying details, when it is passed on to TUTS. It will be compiled and analyzed with the data of all 50 participants.
REGISTER

For those who are not eligible or are not able to participate in the focus groups, your input is still valid and very welcome. If you do seek dialogue with our anti-racism committee, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@tuts.ca or board@tuts.ca.

We have also created a completely anonymous outlet for you to provide your thoughts – if you would prefer to give feedback anonymously, we have set up an online form here: tuts.ca/edi-feedback.

Best,
TUTS Anti-Racism Committee
Melanie Thompson (Co-Chair), Kevin Woo (Co-Chair), Richard Berg, Michael Wilkinson