Standing Committee on Diversity Operating Codes

Operating Code for the Standing Committee for Diversity

Name of Committee: Diversity

Purpose of Committee

The specific purpose of the Committee is to reflect AKA’s pledge to support diversity in all of its forms, and to promote diversity and equity within the field of Kinesiology, particularly as it relates to underrepresented groups. Diversity Committee is a standing committee [Bylaws. Article X, Section X(X)]. It shall be composed of three to five members from member institutions, one of whom shall be designated by the President as Chairperson. Each member shall serve for a term of two years.

Committee Membership

All members of the committee are appointed by the AKA Executive Committee for two-year terms, which are staggered so that approximately half of the committee membership is changed each year. A committee member can be reappointed for a second term on committee. Terms for committee members begin and end after the annual workshop. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be designated by the Executive Committee and shall not be eligible to serve successive terms as Chairperson. Committee members should possess a skill set appropriate to serving on the committee (e.g., experience with diversity leadership training, experience with minority faculty and student retention and recruitment). The Standing Committee Chair must be a member of the AKA Board of Directors.
Consistent with Article 12 of the American Kinesiology Association by-laws, committee members shall disclose any conflict of interest with any issues or meeting agenda items at the beginning of a committee meeting. When a conflict exists, the member will abstain from voting and participating in the discussion. The minutes of the meeting shall reflect the disclosure made.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the committee include:
• promote diversity within the executive committee
• assist with developing diversity goals and expectations for the organization
• update and add diversity content on the AKA website (i.e., AKA Diversity Statement, Diversity Experts contact listing, Professional Development opportunities for students and faculty, Demographics related to diversity within Kinesiology, Best practices related to successful diversity initiatives including faculty and student recruitment and sustainability guidelines for Department Heads)
• Assist with webinars to promote diversity in the field of Kinesiology
• Assist in identifying contributors for the “Do the Right Thing” diversity column within the Kinesiology Today Journal.
• Quarterly monitor and submit AKA web content recommended changes specific to the committee to the Communications Committee

Reporting Requirements

All standing committees report to the Executive Committee. The Chairperson shall send copies of meeting agendas and minutes to the President and Executive Director. In addition, copies of correspondence to the institutional members which may affect the functions of the Committee should also be sent to the President and Executive Director. The Committee Chairperson will report committee activities for the first six months of the year to the Executive Committee prior to the board retreat and will prepare an annual report for distribution at the Association’s Annual Business Meeting. In addition, the Operating Code should be reviewed annually and if revisions are needed, recommendations for changes are to be submitted to the Executive Committee. Following the Annual Meeting, the Committee Chairperson shall provide to the incoming Chairperson those contents of the Committee’s files that are judged to be useful to the work of the new Committee.

Dates Approved: June 15, 2015
Dates Revised: January, 2017