Why adopt an equal opportunities policy?
Equal opportunities isn’t about making your organisational life more difficult or expensive and often doesn’t have to be time consuming. Many groups already practice good quality equal opportunities and in our book if you’re doing something good, why not be credited with it? Most of those who may be described as not practising good equal opportunities are probably totally unaware of this and would be most upset if anyone suggested it to them.
Having an equal opportunities policy isn’t required by law, although it is illegal to discriminate against people because of their race, religion, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation etc. Having an equal opportunities policy is a way of indicating your group’s and members’ active opposition to discrimination of any kind. It shows that your membership opportunities and decision-making policies, as well as all other areas of your operations, are accessible to as many people as possible. What it doesn’t mean is that you have to change your ‘core script’: high standards of performance can be maintained and male voice choirs do not have to admit women! Having an equal opportunities policy, and procedures that support that, indicate to others that you have considered the options and made informed choices.
Making Music can help
We explain the issues for you to consider, encourage you ask the right questions, work with you to develop policy and help you put it into practice.
Our information sheets for members are a great start. We also run regular equal opportunities seminars - keep an eye on our events calendar for your region.
