Monitoring reports should raise awareness

“We are following in the footsteps of Jesus.”

What monitoring is, and what it isn’t

The purpose of the monitoring report is to raise awareness of an assembled body to its value of inclusiveness and to draw attention to how well that value is being lived out. The focus is a statistical report on the inclusion, or lack thereof, of diverse racial/ethnic identities represented in the body. 

Editorial comment—whether as admonition or affirmation—should not be a part of the report. Also, the report is not to be a chronicle of the events of the meeting! Only information pertaining to concerns of diversity and inclusiveness should be included. Moreover, the report is to be received without comment or response from the body.

Attention to identities

There may be others, but the following identities should receive attention. The report should include a statement on the balance among:

• Racial/Ethnic Identities
• Gender      
• Clergy and Laity       
• Age-level generations     
• Persons with disabilities (or differently-abled persons)
  

Areas of Concern

The following should receive attention:

• Who makes up the body, and who is present?     
• Who seeks recognition to speak? Note how language is used to recognize them.       
• Who is recognized to speak by the chairperson?       
• Are there differences in how the chair or others address persons of various identities?       
• Who makes motions or initiates parliamentary procedures or uses other debate actions to enable or shut out others unfamiliar with the legislative process?      
• To what and to whom is support or admonishment given?      
• Who is appointed to what positions and delegations?      
• Who is nominated and/or elected overall and for what positions and at what levels of authority.
  

Narrative

Begin with the biblical wisdom that language has power. In addition to a statistical report of the balance of involvement among participants, as outlined above, several other dynamics should be included as a narrative part of the report:

• Language, images, visual displays and media that do or do not reflect sensitivity to inclusiveness and identity diversity.     
• Events and agenda items that address concerns about exclusion, inclusion, bigotry or injustice based on identities. 

 
Areas for Involvement

While plenary sessions are the place for most monitoring activity, other contexts are vitally important, too, especially in their composition, agendas, procedures and decisions-making that can affect the body’s overall quality of inclusiveness. Monitors should assess how proactive leaders and participants are in ensuring that their actions demonstrate inclusivity and sensitivity. (Are resources shared? Who has a voice, and who doesn’t, in the decision-making process? Is diversity representated at all levels?) 

• Committee, sub-committee, agency, and task force meetings.     
• Nominations committees and procedures.     
• Financial and budget actions.      
• Institutional changes: e.g. churches opened or closed, structures enabled or disabled.

(Adapted from a 2003 workshop lesson by the Rev. Greg Dell, Monitoring Co-Chair for the North Central Jurisdiction Commission on Religion and Race)