South
London Community Music is a voluntary self managed organisation, and membership
of its ensembles is open to all those with competence in musical performance,
the level of which is reviewed from time to time, regardless of gender, ethnic
origin, physical disability, sexual orientation, age or religion.
This Equal
Opportunities Policy lies within the overall purposes of South London Community
Music, which are:
ÒThe
promotion of public education in and appreciation of music by preparation for
and presentation of public concerts and by such means as South London Community
Music shall from time to time determineÓ.
The aim of
the Policy is to ensure that all aspects of the organisation are
anti-discriminatory and to take positive action to redress inequalities within
employment practices, membership, provision of our services and committee
representation.
Committee
members, supporters, donors, performers and audiences need to be aware of and
support the philosophy of equality of opportunities.
To ensure
that the organisation is open to a diversity of cultural/racial background,
gender and sexual orientation in its structure.
To ensure
that performers and audience members with a physical disabilities are not
excluded from taking part in the locations where we rehearse or give concerts.
To avoid
attitudes or actions which might discriminate against people of any ethnic
origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or creed.
To use
clear criteria and objective judgements about the minimum musical ability
acceptable in recruiting or retiring players.
Consulting
relevant organisations on to how to make the objective of equality of
opportunity effective.
Operating a
programme of school and community events.
Developing
a programme of events which are of interest to people with wide musical tastes
and to advertise in a non exclusive way and to offer concerts to people who
might not otherwise have an opportunity to hear live music either because of
infirmity or cultural background.
Building up
a list for workshops, concerts and recruitment of performers which includes
organisations working for people with disabilities and from all ethnic
backgrounds.
Organising
Òopen rehearsalsÓ advertised widely in public places and through ethnic groups
and networks.
Performing
for disabled or other disadvantaged groups, and our supporting appropriate
charities.
Advertising
events in community locations such as music shops, libraries, leisure outlets,
places of worship, and schools.
Placing
adverts for any paid position with the organisation in journals and newspapers.
Challenging
actions or attitudes which seek to undermine this policy, and taking
appropriate action if required.
Setting
subscriptions as low as possible, with special arrangements made for people
with financial constraints.
Considering
equal opportunities issues when seeking funds.
Committees
will review and examine their informal decision making processes to ensure they
are inclusive.
Committees
will distribute this policy to all performing members and signify our intention
to include everyone in the implementation of the Policy.
All
members, current and new, will be asked to complete an equal opportunities
monitoring form. We will develop/amend this policy in the light of our
monitoring.
Committees will review
the location of concerts and other events once each year, and decide on the
desirability or otherwise of the venues chosen or accepted by the ensembles,
with reference to accessibility to the community.
The
Committees will review the publicity materials used, designs, text and graphics
and seek advice to ensure that it does not use wording or images which fail to
reflect the diversity of society, or is in any way ageist, sexist or
discriminating against people with disabilities.
Committee
membership will continue to be based on open nomination and voting as at
present, with such use made of co-option powers as stated above.