Committee for Inclusion II

The Committee for Inclusion is working on new approaches to enrich HILR by diversifying academically and socially in race, national culture, ethnicity, and life style. As charged by the Council, our goal is to better reflect the world around us. We strive not only toward a more diverse membership but also toward programs and courses that broaden members' awareness and sensitivity to people who have very different perspectives on life.

Several projects are underway, including:

  • Establishing relationships with area programs that are a source of experience with these challenges as well as a source of potential member applicants,

 

  • Encouraging current members to think about friends and relations who would enjoy HILR while at the same time adding to our diverse make up and backgrounds,

 

  • Exploring the ways other groups at Harvard and in the area have successfully made cultural shifts to openness, and inviting experienced diversity officers to speak to the committee,

 

  • Analyzing HILR's curriculum to see how subject matter can be broadened, and how existing courses can be more inclusive of the diverse human experience,

 

  • Promoting ideas for forums and special events to celebrate cultural diversity,

 

  • Developing a resource bank to support study group leaders in broadening the intercultural aspects of their courses,

 

  • Focusing on awareness and attitudes within the membership, to insure that the tone reflects the program's commitment to cultural shift,

 

  • Discussing with those who leave HILR voluntarily (despite good health and staying in the area) whether they felt the atmosphere at HILR was welcoming and supportive for  people like themselves,

 

  • Communicating with HILR members about the committee's effort and inviting those interested to provide suggestions or to get further involved.

 

Interested parties are encouraged to contact the Committee Chairman, Ross Neisuler. Rneisuler@hotmail.com , 617-244-2194. There are few full-committee meetings but there are between-meeting tasks to be accomplished.

Ross Neisuler - chair 617-244-2194 Rneisuler@hotmail.com
Leonie Gordon- Ex Officio 617-495-4072 leonie_gordon@harvard.edu
Bernadette Nelson Shapiro 781-862-6348 shapiroban@yahoo.com
Carol Cole 617-332-0140 twodocs1@gmail.com
Carol Sager 617-469-9644 cs@carolsager.com
Elizabeth Dorsey 617-734-8252 e.n.dorsey@verizon.net
Joann Breuer 617-232-4964 jgbreuer@gmail.com
Marjorie Damon 781-237-3934 mhdamon@comcast.net
Parky Damon 781-237-3934 pardamon@comcast.net
Phyllis Sonnenschein 617-661-3314 pcsonnenschein@gmail.com
Dick Rubinstein 617-826-9665 dickr@mac.com
Martha Taub 617-547-4242 m.taub@comcast.net