DEI and Guiding Principles
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Chamber Music Conference is deeply saddened by the recurring examples of racial injustice and discrimination throughout the United States, and how they have highlighted the inequities in our society. We believe Black lives matter. We are inspired by those taking a stand against forces that would perpetuate systemic racism and white supremacy.
We are taking this opportunity to examine our own organization and programs and have formed a working group, which includes representatives of Conference participants, faculty, staff, and Board, to examine diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Conference. The working group invited input from the Conference community and, based on the observations and experiences of all who responded, identified issues related to culture, diversity, inclusivity, and racism at the Conference. The working group has collected hundreds of suggestions for ways to address these issues and is currently reviewing those suggestions and distilling them into recommendations that it will present to the Board.
We are committed to making changes that will foster a more inclusive culture and a more diverse community at the Conference.
For inquiries and further information, contact us at diversity@cmceast.org.
Guiding Principles for Our Conduct
These are guiding principles for the personal conduct of members of our community, including participants, auditors, faculty, and staff.
We seek to create and maintain a strong sense of community, helping one another learn and grow. Our community is founded on values of respect for one another and for the music we study and play.
Members of our community treat all with fairness, civility, and understanding. We prepare for our roles in the Conference and use our best efforts in fulfilling them. We listen with full attention and embrace feedback. We accept that we all have things to learn.
We protect the well-being of the Conference and contribute to a positive and safe environment that values both people and property. We avoid negative behaviors such as violence, substance abuse, discrimination, harassment, ridicule, and bullying. Those in possession of Conference assets, including confidential information and financial resources, protect them faithfully.
We cannot anticipate every future scenario. The negative behaviors described above are examples of problematic behavior that could damage the Conference.
Most problems arise from misunderstandings that can readily be solved. In the rare case of a severe breach of our community values, consequences may affect an individual’s status with the Conference.
Behavior outside the Conference is immaterial except to the extent that it may bear on the individual’s effectiveness at the Conference or significantly impact the Conference’s reputation.
The Conference has defined a process to address concerns related to conduct and this information is provided to all attendees. For inquiries and further information, contact us at administration@cmceast.org.