National Diversity and Inclusion Advocate (NDIA)

The National Diversity and Inclusion Advocate (NDIA) takes point on the Modern Enigma Society’s ongoing efforts to provide members with a safe and supportive community and the tools to continue to grow it. Underneath the NDIA are two teams to assist in matters of diversity and inclusion. The first team is the Diversity and Inclusion Forum, which is made up of individuals from various cultural backgrounds, physical/mental attributes, and gender representations. They will offer guidance, oversight, and advice across the organization to ensure that our members have a safe space for sensitive, and sometimes difficult and uncomfortable, conversations. They will proactively work with members and officers, up to and including the Board of Directors, to ensure that diversity and inclusion are centered in all aspects of the organization’s operation. They will advocate for members in situations pertaining to discrimination and harassment and promote organization-wide communication on progress toward diversity and inclusion goals. 

The second team of NDIA will include Diversity and Inclusion Arbitration (DIA) Staff, who will work with coordinators on topics regarding discrimination, harassment, or anything pertaining to discriminatory practices as stated by the Membership Handbook:

“Derogatory or offensive comments or conduct, including those involving race, gender or gender expression, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, color, or disability status, that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive social environment.”

NDIA Staff will work with each level of the Coordinator and Storyteller chains. DIA Staff are able to assist with concerns and issues from domain level to national level, and across officer chains, while maintaining confidentiality. DIAs do not run or adjudicate investigations or the issuing of disciplinary actions but assist investigating officers, mediators, and members as needed as subject matter experts in terms of race, religion, gender expression, and disability representation for matters both in and out of character.

The NDIA (Reza Jackson) can be reached at ndia@di.modernenigmasociety.org. 

Protection, Advocacy and Cultural Team (PACT)

A PACT (Protection, Advocacy and Cultural Team) Member serves as a designated neutral party and member advocates within a specific organization and provides conflict resolution and problem solving services to members of the organization.

Modern Enigma Society’s PACT Members are:

Vacant (pact1@t.modernenigmasociety.org)
Vacant (Pact2@t.modernenigmasociety.org)

You can contact the members separately using the above email addresses or email them both at pact@modernenigmasociety.org.

A PACT Member:

  • Listens and understands issues while remaining neutral with respect to the facts.
  • Assists in reframing issues, developing and helping individuals evaluate options.
  • Guides or coaches individuals to deal directly with other parties, including the use of formal resolution resources of the organization.
  • Identifies new issues and opportunities for systemic change for the organization
  • Works with the guidance and oversight of the Board of Directors to define and expand the Role of the PACT team.
  • Helps keep the Board aware of changing trends in the organizational community
  • Refers individuals to appropriate parties in any formal investigative or adjudicative procedure
  • Maintain accounts and/or emails to facilitate collection of office­ related communication
  • Create and alter those accounts and lists by request of the Board and designated assistants
  • Include such documentation in periodic reporting
  • When requested, attend such meetings of the Board of Directors
  • Report once a month on progress of current projects in format provided by the Board
  • Maintain confidentiality on all such designated Board matters

 

What is PACT and When Do You Need It? 

PACT (Protection, Advocacy, and Cultural Team) are elected by the membership to act as advisors to members and officers of the club in matters regarding race, gender or gender expression, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, and disability status, as well as offering help and advice to navigate the processes of the club in sensitive issues regarding those topics. 

PACT, as a whole, can help with issues as varied as understanding cultural and gender bias, helping to see the diverse perspective of another member, and appropriately building a character that respects the cultures and histories of people through research, conversations, and respect. PACT can be contacted at pact@modernenigmasociety.org.