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Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Tau Beta Sigma is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in collegiate bands by cultivating an inclusive culture which reflects our diverse membership and organizational ideals. We take action now and will sustain our progress toward these commitments in the future.

We demonstrate our commitment to DEIA by: continuing to educate ourselves; empowering and centering the experiences of members of historically underrepresented populations; fostering an inclusive environment in our chapters and band programs; and acknowledging and responding to the impact that our history has had on our Sorority.

Thank you for taking the time to read the DEIA Statement and reflect on how you can incorporate the commitments into your daily practices. Learn more about the development of the DEIA Statement by reading about the build process.

 The DEIA Committee has curated a list of resources to help members and chapters understand how we can live our mission statement of “promoting equality and diversity.” Listed below are links to educational resources to learn more about diversity as it relates to racial, disability, gender, geographic, brain function, religious, socioeconomic, and sexuality identities. These resources are regularly being curated. If you want to add to these resources, please email DEIA@tbsigma.org.

In 2020, due to protests across the country in support of awareness of racial inequities and injustice, the National Council developed guidelines to help members and chapters learn how they can advocate in a manner consistent with our ideals and status as a 501(c)3 corporation.

Guidance for Advocacy

The Mission of Tau Beta Sigma aims to promote equality and diversity. To quote Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “music is the universal language,” and our National Hymn calls on us to be “friends to all.” We strive to foster an inclusive environment where all can participate and thrive in service to collegiate bands. Shared below are resources for how to build a culture of inclusion within our chapters and band programs.

 

Personal and Social Identity Wheel Worksheets The first step in understanding other people is to understand yourself. This self-reflection exercise can help you explore the aspects of yourself that mean the most to you.
The Power of Vulnerability Ted Talk Inclusion is a people centered practice. In her well-known Ted Talk, Brene Brown champions empathy and vulnerability as the central ingredients in connecting with people. 
Brene Brown on Empathy YouTube Video In this short section of “The Power of Vulnerability” Dr. Brown defines empathy and contrasts the concept with sympathy.
Be Curious, Don’t Be Judgmental Ted Talk Wes Becton advocates for judgment as a factor that disconnects people and frames curiosity and non-judgment as essential leadership practices.
Tips for Active Listening YouTube Video StoryCorps is an organization whose mission is to explore our collective humanity, one story at a time. In this video, StoryCorps shares key skills for understanding others’ stories: active listening.
Permission Slips and Container Building Worksheet Creating safe spaces involve thinking and naming what we need to have access and feel seen, heard, and valued. This worksheet is a mutual expectations exercise that prompts reflection and acting on what you need to show up and do good work.
Meeting Accessibility Document We recognize that members of Tau Beta Sigma can encounter barriers that prevent equitable participation. We encourage Sisters to adopt an accessibility lens when planning meetings and have developed a resource with considerations that you will want to think through. We also encourage you to consult with your campus Accessibility Office.
Sample Accommodations Form This sample form is a template you can use and adapt to gather information about the accessibility needs of the members of your Chapter. Given the sensitive nature of disability identity, please ensure that accommodations requests are kept private and that this form is only viewed by a designated official or committee.
Everyday Leadership Ted Talk Inclusion is not all about grand gestures. Sometimes small actions we do without thinking can have a positive result on others. In this Ted Talk, Drew Dudley reminds us that leadership is the everyday act of improving others’ lives.

From our very beginning, Tau Beta Sigma has strived to provide an equitable space for all to serve collegiate bands. 

The Sorority was founded following an act of exclusion. In 1939, Wava Banes was one of only three women in the Texas Tech band program and expressed interest in becoming a member of the Alpha Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. Wava was denied membership due to the gender exclusive policy in place at the time. Not deterred, Wava founded Tau Beta Sigma as a space for women to serve the band. 

After chartering in 1946, Tau Beta Sigma continued to expand into band programs across the nation. Many founding members of these early chapters were Latina, in states like Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, New York, and Florida known for having large Latin populations. Tau Beta Sigma became a racially integrated organization in 1958 with the founding of the Beta Omicron Chapter at Texas Southern University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Since then, we have chartered chapters at over 50 designated multicultural serving institutions. The sorority removed gender-specific membership restrictions in 1975 to comply with Title IX laws, and the first male identified member was initiated in 1977. Sisters from all walks of live have served at all levels of the organization, including Carla Robinson (1987-1989), Sylvia Halbardier (2001-2003), and Jonathan Markowski (2017-2019), our first Black, Latina, and Male National Presidents, respectively.

Tau Beta Sigma sees diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as part of our organizational strengths. We adopted an anti-discrimination policy in 1993 and created a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee in 2020. To learn more about DEIA in our sorority history, see history resources below:

Key Moments for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility