Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy

At Asmbly Makerspace, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that values and respects the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all individuals. A diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees, students, members, volunteers, and anyone visiting the space — whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability — feel valued and respected.

We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard. We are committed to modeling diversity and inclusion, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.

Our commitment to equity is integral to our mission of providing a welcoming and accessible space for makers of all backgrounds. We acknowledge the historical and systemic inequalities that have disproportionately affected marginalized communities, and we are dedicated to addressing these issues within our organization and the broader community. We believe in the power of creativity and innovation to bring people together, break down barriers, and build stronger communities.

Scope

Asmbly strives for all aspects of its operations to ensure there is no discrimination on the basis of, but not limited to, ethnicity, language, race, age, ability, sexual gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, family status, income, immigrant or refugee status, nationality, place of birth, generational status, or political or religious affiliation.

Asmbly encourages individuals to participate fully and to have complete access to services, employment, and volunteer opportunities, and will promote equal access to all. To this end, Asmbly will ensure that discriminatory or oppressive behaviors are not tolerated.

Key Principles:

• Inclusivity: We actively seek to create a makerspace that reflects the rich tapestry of our community, welcoming individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, backgrounds, and abilities.
• Accessibility: We strive to remove barriers to participation and ensure that our resources and programs are accessible to everyone, irrespective of their socioeconomic status.
• Representation: We are committed to promoting diverse representation within our leadership, staff, and volunteers to ensure that decision-making processes are inclusive and reflective of our community's diversity.
• Continuous Improvement: We will regularly assess and reassess our policies, practices, and programs to identify and address any inequities, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Policy Elements

To provide informed, authentic leadership, Asmbly strives to:

• See diversity, inclusion, and equity as connected to our mission and critical to ensure the well-being of our staff, Board, and the communities we serve.
• Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services.
• Advocate for and support board-level thinking about how systemic inequities impact our organization’s work, and how best to address that in a way that is consistent with our mission.
• Practice and encourage transparent communication in all interactions.
• Commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within our Board, staff, committee, and advisory bodies.
• Lead with respect and tolerance. We expect all employees, volunteers, and Board members to embrace this notion, and to express it in Asmbly interactions and through everyday practices.

We commit to working tirelessly to create an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our makerspace community.

Disciplinary Consequences

We may take disciplinary action leading up to and including termination if employees, volunteers, or Board members do not follow this policy's guidelines.

If this policy is violated inadvertently, individuals may receive a reprimand. We expect them to comply after that, or stricter disciplinary actions will apply.

Categorization

This is a board policy maintained by the secretary of the board. Changes to this policy require board action. You can learn more about the board of directors here. Contact board@asmbly.org for comments or questions.

This policy was approved by the board of directors 07/15/2026.