Assessment

What is an equity audit? What will it look like for Sister Cities?

An equity audit includes more than an examination of racial injustices and practices within an organization. It is a benchmarking process often performed by a consultant that helps organizations evaluate their current structures and practices and provides concrete recommendations for change.

Many organizations, from nonprofits to universities and corporations, conduct equity audits. RJE aims to work with a consultant and start an equity audit by early 2022. We have identified the following phases and timeline that will help prepare our network for this work:

June 1, 2021: Email committees and working groups with RJE update.
By June 15:
- Send your group's liason's name and email to Emma at Folkerts.emma@gmail.com.
By June 30, 2021:
- Complete a short questionnaire (a mini equity audit). Each sistering committee and issue-based working group discusses the reflection and assessment questions compiled by RJE. Embodying an ongoing racial justice process, this will serve as a “mini” equity audit relating to each group’s work, and how each group can develop/implement policies and practices prior to the formal equity audit.
- Nominate a liaison. Each sistering committee and issue-based working group nominates at least one member of their group who will serve as a liaison. This person will attend at least 1 meeting during the summer to discuss the mini equity audits and racial justice and equity generally. This is intended to encourage buy-in and get more insight from members.
  - 1. Email the liason's information by June 15 to Folkerts.emma@gmail.com!
- Email the completed questionnaire by June 30, 2021 to Emma at Folkerts.emma@gmail.com.
  - The questionnaires are linked below.
July - August 2021: Liaisons will meet with RJE.
October - December 2021: Create a proposal and identify a consultant to conduct an equity audit.

Questionnaires for Committees and Working Groups

Instructions: Please click the "Committees" or "Working Group" header depending on the type of group you are part of. Edit your group's document by clicking the name of your group.

Please email the completed questionnaire to Emma at Folkerts.emma@gmail.com, and feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.