2018 SFS Diversity Mixer!
Donation protected
The 2018 Society for Freshwater Science (SFS) conference will take place from May 20-24 in Detroit, MI. This is the first year that there will be an official diversity and inclusivity mixer in the program! This mixer will celebrate marginalized and underrepresented members of the society. However, we don't have any funds at the moment to host this event.
The mixer will take place on Monday, May 21 starting at 730 pm. Location TBD.
We welcome all underrepresented and marginalized SFS members and their allies, as well as any attendees interested in helping make the society a more diverse and inclusive organization to join us for the inaugural SFS Diversity Mixer.
Our goal with this fundraiser is to provide food for those attending this social event. Any leftover funds will be used during the 2019 conference to host another inclusivity mixer. We are hoping that this initial fundraiser will turn into a standing fund for promoting a welcoming space for marginalized scientists.
This event is very exciting and emotional for me and some members of SFS. We conducted a membership survey in 2017 and found that some of our underrepresented members have felt like their voices and concerns have gone unnoticed in the past. We want the Society of Freshwater Science to be a diverse and welcoming place.
Last year, the conference was held in Raleigh, NC. The passing of HB2, or the bathroom bill, prior to the conference caused many members to boycott attending because they did not feel safe and/or welcome, they worked for an agency that wouldn't allow travel reimbursements to NC or because they did not want to support a state with trans discriminatory laws. This led to the formation of an ad-hoc diversity committee. One of the focuses of this committee during the 2017 meeting was to create an inclusive, welcoming, and safe conference space for LGBTQIA+ scientists. We decided to broaden this goal to include everyone who may feel excluded based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental and physical abilities, and/or status as a first generation student. By hosting an official, conference and society affiliated mixer for underrepresented members and their allies, we are making an important step towards promoting diversity and inclusivity within our scientific society with the hopes that we can make freshwater science more accessible and welcoming for traditionally marginalized people.
Please help us in funding this inaugural mixer towards a more diverse and inclusive society! Any amount is greatly appreciated!
The mixer will take place on Monday, May 21 starting at 730 pm. Location TBD.
We welcome all underrepresented and marginalized SFS members and their allies, as well as any attendees interested in helping make the society a more diverse and inclusive organization to join us for the inaugural SFS Diversity Mixer.
Our goal with this fundraiser is to provide food for those attending this social event. Any leftover funds will be used during the 2019 conference to host another inclusivity mixer. We are hoping that this initial fundraiser will turn into a standing fund for promoting a welcoming space for marginalized scientists.
This event is very exciting and emotional for me and some members of SFS. We conducted a membership survey in 2017 and found that some of our underrepresented members have felt like their voices and concerns have gone unnoticed in the past. We want the Society of Freshwater Science to be a diverse and welcoming place.
Last year, the conference was held in Raleigh, NC. The passing of HB2, or the bathroom bill, prior to the conference caused many members to boycott attending because they did not feel safe and/or welcome, they worked for an agency that wouldn't allow travel reimbursements to NC or because they did not want to support a state with trans discriminatory laws. This led to the formation of an ad-hoc diversity committee. One of the focuses of this committee during the 2017 meeting was to create an inclusive, welcoming, and safe conference space for LGBTQIA+ scientists. We decided to broaden this goal to include everyone who may feel excluded based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental and physical abilities, and/or status as a first generation student. By hosting an official, conference and society affiliated mixer for underrepresented members and their allies, we are making an important step towards promoting diversity and inclusivity within our scientific society with the hopes that we can make freshwater science more accessible and welcoming for traditionally marginalized people.
Please help us in funding this inaugural mixer towards a more diverse and inclusive society! Any amount is greatly appreciated!
Organizer
Anna Grace
Organizer
Detroit, MI
