Name Change for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Task Force; Guiding Principles Approved

The IDSA Board of Directors has approved a new name for the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Task Force. The group will now be known as the Inclusion, Diversity, Access and Equity (IDA&E) task force, a name that reflects the pillars of the work of the task force. The word “access” has been added to stress the importance of providing open opportunities and clear pathways of engagement.

The first goal of the task force was to develop guiding principles for the Society to serve as a sounding board and framing for future efforts. The following guidelines were approved by the IDSA Board on Dec. 6:

We are committed to build a Society based on the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Access, and Equity (IDA&E). To achieve this, we will intentionally:

• Cultivate a welcoming environment where differences are embraced, valued, and respected. 
• Ensure that processes, policies, and practices foster fairness, belonging, equity, and reflect the views and values of our Society,
• Guarantee transparency to promote fair treatment and access to opportunities for all members within all levels of the organization.

The creation of the IDA&E Task Force was one of a series of changes recommended by the IDSA Governance Task Force to ensure a successful future for the Society and better engage members. While IDSA has made significant strides in recent years to increase diversity (in areas such as gender equality and clinical practice representation) on the Board of Directors, the new recommendations will ensure that the Society leadership continues to more accurately reflect the diverse makeup of our membership and the field of ID. Learn more about these changes, as well as an important bylaws vote that is occurring this month.