DIVERSITY . EQUITY . BELONGING . INCLUSION

As an acronym, DEBI represents the components of a body of very important work that the Willamette Valley Wineries Association has committed to undertake. As individual terms, each defines the importance of this pursuit. As a whole, DEBI is our guiding beacon, providing the lens through which WVWA governance and membership operate and progress.

Read more about the formation of the DEBI Council.

DIVERSITY

The presence, acceptance, and appreciation of varied cultures, ideas, and perspectives.  The concept of diversity embraces the wide range of human characteristics used to mark or identify individual and group identities. These characteristics include, but are not limited to, ethnicity, race, national origin, age, personality, sexual orientation, gender, class, religion, ability, and linguistic preferences. Diversity is a term used as shorthand for visible and quantifiable statuses, but diversity of thought and ways of knowing, being, and doing are also understood as natural, valued, and desired states, the presence of which benefit organizations, workplaces, and society.  

EQUITY

A condition that balances two dimensions: fairness and inclusion. As a function of fairness, equity implies ensuring that people have what they need to participate in life and reach their full potential. Equitable treatment involves eliminating barriers that prevent the full participation of all individuals. As a function of inclusion, equity ensures that essential programs, services, activities, and technologies are accessible to all. Equity is not equality; it is the expression of justice, ethics, multi-partiality, and the absence of discrimination.

BELONGING

When diversity, equity, inclusion become embedded in your institutional culture, a sense of Belonging will emerge.  Belonging is the feeling of security and support.  It is when an individual can bring their authentic self to work. 

INCLUSION

Encompassing all; taking every individual’s experience and identity into account and creating conditions where all feel accepted, safe, empowered, supported, and affirmed. An inclusive organization expands its sense of community to include all, cultivating belonging and giving all an equal voice. Inclusivity also promotes and enacts the sharing of power and recognition of interdependence, where authorizing individuals and community members share responsibility for expressing core values and maintaining respect for differences in the spirit of care and cooperation.  

These are just a few of the terms that form the vernacular of this important work. REFER TO THE GLOSSARY OF TERMS for additional entries.