United States Tennis Association Diversity Statement
Definition
We the United States Tennis Association recognize diversity as essential to achieving our mission: "To Promote and Develop the Growth of Tennis." For us, diversity refers to differences of culture, ethnicity, race, gender, beliefs, social economic status, sexual orientation, family status, physical ability, appearance and ideas.
We acknowledge our goal is ambitious and challenging, but an opportunity we should clearly pursue. We are committed to achieving greater diversity throughout the sport and fostering a tennis environment that is more inclusive.
Importance
Diversity makes good business sense, is critical to achieving the mission of the organization, and is an integral part of the success of the other three strategic initiatives:
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- US Open
- High Performance
- Community Tennis
Our responsibility as the governing body for the sport obligates us to achieve a level of involvement that is open to and represents the people we are commissioned to serve.
It is our goal to expand the image of tennis to one that invites and supports the involvement of all.
Philosophy
Great organizations are characterized by a passion for excellence and the foresight to anticipate opportunities to further their mission. To realize our mission we believe we must:
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- Establish diversity as a key strategic priority in all facets of our organization.
- Encourage National, Sections, States, Districts, Community Tennis Associations (CTAs), and all individuals to adopt diversity as a priority.
- Expect that every leader include diversity objectives in their performance appraisal and business planning process.
- Measure leaders’ success at achieving specific national and sectional goals identified by assessment data and feedback.
- Build a culture that respects, values and celebrates diversity.
- Serve as a model organization for all others who aspire to an inclusive environment.
Focus Areas
To implement our findings from the organizational assessment (focus groups, interviews and surveys) we propose the following as preliminary areas of focus:
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- Increase awareness in the organization of the importance of diversity.
- Recruiting and hiring greater diversity into our sport.
- Mentoring, development, education and training.
- Developing metrics and measures of success.
- Demonstrating behaviors that are aligned with the philosophy.
Conduct Section feedback and town meetings by Guide Team, Board and Staff to develop specific and flexible plans at the local level.