Equity, Diversity u0026 Inclusion
FAQs
What does USAU mean by “equity”, “diversity” and “inclusion”?
u003ch5u003eEquityu003c/h5u003ernu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eFor USA Ultimate, equity means providing every ultimate participant what they need to engage in the sport and be successful. Neither race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation nor religious belief should impact a person’s ability to participate in and enjoy ultimate.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eWe intentionally focus on equity rather than equality because we believe some athletes, coaches and other participants may need different resources and support to have an u003c/spanu003eu003ciu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eequal opportunityu003c/spanu003eu003c/iu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e to participate in ultimate. u003c/spanu003ernu003ch5u003eDiversityu003c/h5u003ernDiversity means bringing together people of different backgrounds, cultures, talents, skills and perspectives to create stronger teams and organizations. We are committed to building diversity across our staff, board, volunteers, partners and membership.rnu003ch5u003eInclusionu003c/h5u003ernInclusion means creating an environment in which everyone feels a sense of belonging. We are committed to building an inclusive culture in which people from different backgrounds and experiences are able to bring their full identity to their teams and organizations, speak and act authentically, make meaningful contributions and influence decisions.
Why is EDI a priority for USA Ultimate?
USA Ultimate strongly believes a diverse ultimate community will enrich the experience of all players, organizers, volunteers and spectators, and the sport will be enhanced by the active inclusion of underrepresented communities. We recognize we must devote significant time and energy to ensure our sport and community reflect the amazing diversity of our nation.rnrnIn 2014, we prioritized efforts to increase the number of girls, women and non-binary folks in ultimate and launched the u003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://gum.usaultimate.org/u0022u003eGirls’ Ultimate Movementu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e as a result. Starting in 2019, we expanded this work by prioritizing efforts to increase racial/ethnic and socio-economic diversity, and to address issues of inclusion and equity associated with these forms of diversity.
How is USAU working to enhance EDI throughout the organization and the sport of ultimate?
Through the following commitments, USA Ultimate is working to ensure EDI efforts become imbedded in the organization and the sport:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch5u003eIncreasing participation of underrepresented racial, ethnic and socioeconomic populations in the sport of ultimate.u003c/h5u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch5u003eLowering financial barriers to participation in ultimate.u003c/h5u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch5u003eIncreasing participation of women and LGBTQIA+ ultimate athletes.u003c/h5u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch5u003eProviding resources to help create inclusive team environments.u003c/h5u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch5u003eDecreasing avenues in which bias can affect Spirit of the Game.u003c/h5u003ernu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernFor demographic information about USA Ultimate’s current membership, u003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.usaultimate.org/membershiptrends/u0022u003eclick hereu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e.
Where can I find more information about how to make EDI a fundamental aspect of my ultimate experience?
u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAt the bottom of our EDI page are a list of featured EDI resources for learning about and engaging with this work in your local community. Below are links to additional EDI resources.u003c/spanu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://usaultimate.andrewlovseth.com/resources/?_resource_filters=ediu0022u003eEDI Resourcesu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://usaultimate.andrewlovseth.com/watch/videos/?_video_filters=ediu0022u003eEDI Video Resourcesu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
What financial assistance opportunities are available to help increase participation in ultimate?
u003ch5u003eu003cstrongu003ePlay It Forwardu003c/strongu003eu003c/h5u003ernu003culu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe Play It Forward program provides membership and financial assistance for youth from underserved and underrepresented communities to give them the opportunity to experience ultimate. u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eFor more information about Play It Forward, including how to apply for financial assistance, visit u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.usaultimate.org/playitforward/u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eusaultimate.org/playitforwardu003c/strongu003e/u003c/spanu003eu003c/au003eu003cbu003e.u003c/bu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eIf you would like to donate to Play It Forward, click u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://secure.theultimatefoundation.org/np/clients/ultimatefoundation/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1u0026amp;campaign=2u0022u003ehereu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003ch5u003eu003cstrongu003eDelrico Johnson Fundu003c/strongu003eu003c/h5u003ernu003culu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAdult BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) facing financial hardship can elect a u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://play.usaultimate.org/members/login/u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003efree adult affiliate membershipu003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e thanks to generous contributions made to the Delrico Johnson Fund. u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eIf you would like to donate to the Delrico Johnson Fund, click u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://secure.theultimatefoundation.org/np/clients/ultimatefoundation/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1u0026amp;campaign=11u0022u003ehereu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003ch5u003eu003cstrongu003eCollege Women’s Startup Projectu003c/strongu003eu003c/h5u003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe College Women’s Startup Project was launched in 2017 to help foster the growth of college women’s ultimate by incentivizing the creation of teams and facilitating the development of new women’s programs. The initiative provides some of the resources needed most by developing college teams. u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eFor more information about the College Women’s Startup Project, including how to apply, visit u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.usaultimate.org/college/star.aspx#womensstartupu0022u003eusaultimate.org/college/star.aspx#womensstartupu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
Who do I contact if I have a concern, question or idea related to equity, diversity, or inclusion?
You can reach the chair of the EDI Team (Stacey Waldrup) at u003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022mailto:equity@usaultimate.orgu0022u003eequity@usaultimate.orgu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e.