Preamble:
We declare that Charity Education International strictly follows the policy of equal opportunities irrespective of race, religion, gender and of any other form, and also further declares that the policy of equal opportunities has been formally adopted, and any violation of the policy will be treated as an offence, as per laws and regulations of the country.
Aim of the Policy:
The aim of this policy is to communicate the commitment of the Board of Charity Education International to the promotion of equality of opportunity at all levels within and outside the organisation.
It is our policy to provide equality of membership to all, irrespective of
- gender, including gender reassignment
- marital or civil partnership status
- having or not having dependents
- religious belief or political opinion
- race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, being an Irish traveller)
- disability
- sexual orientation
- age
We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. All members of the organisation will be treated fairly and will not be discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Decisions on membership, selection for office, training or any other benefit will be made objectively, without unlawful discrimination, and based on aptitude and ability.
We recognise that the provision of equal opportunities in all our activities will benefit the organisation. Our equal opportunities policy will help members to develop their full potential and the talents and resources of the members will be utilised fully to maximise the effectiveness of the organisation.
Charity Education International recognises that this policy applies to applicants for employment, volunteers and members of the group alike, and further that. there is a statutory duty to implement an equal opportunities policy as applicable under the various statutory acts including the following.
- The Sex Discrimination Acts 1975 and 1986
- The Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999
- The Race Relations Act 1976
- The Disability Discrimination Act 1995
- Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
Charity Education International is committed to the principles and practice of Equality. Charity Education International values the diversity of the local population. We want our services, facilities and resources to be accessible and useful to every citizen regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, religious belief, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other individual characteristic which may unfairly affect a person’s opportunities in life.
Equality commitments
We are committed to:
- promoting equality of opportunity for all persons
- promoting a good and harmonious learning environment in which all men and women are treated with respect and dignity and in which no form of intimidation or harassment is tolerated
- preventing occurrences of unlawful direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation
- fulfilling all our legal obligations under the equality legislation and associated codes of practice
- complying with our own equal opportunities policy and associated policies
- taking lawful affirmative or positive action, where appropriate
- breaches of our equal opportunities policy will be regarded as misconduct and could lead to termination of membership
This policy is fully supported by the Chairman and all other Board Members of Charity Education International and was formally adopted at the Annual General Meeting of Charity Education International held on 26 June, 2011.
Implementation:
The Chairman and all other Board Members of CEI have specific responsibility for the effective implementation of this policy. We expect all members to abide by the policy and help to create the equality environment which is its objective.
In order to implement this policy we shall:
- Communicate the policy to members by issuing an induction pamphlet to all existing, and new members
- Charity Education International will endeavour through appropriate training to ensure that it will not consciously, or unconsciously discriminate in the selection or recruitment of applicants for membership of the group.
- Incorporate specific and appropriate duties in respect of implementing the equal opportunities policy into roles and responsibilities of committee members
- Incorporate equal opportunities notices into general communications practices (e.g. announcements, annual report at annual general meeting, notices and newsletters). This policy will be read out to all members at each annual general meeting.
- Ensure that adequate resources are made available to fulfil the objectives of the policy.
Monitoring and review:
We will establish appropriate information and monitoring systems to assist the effective implementation of our equal opportunities policy. The effectiveness of the equal opportunities policy will be reviewed regularly (at least annually) and action taken as necessary
Complaints:
Members who believe that they have suffered any form of discrimination, harassment or victimisation are entitled to raise the matter through the agreed procedures. All complaints of discrimination will be dealt with seriously, promptly and confidentially.
Every effort will be made to ensure that members who make complaints will not be victimised. Any complaint of victimisation will be dealt with seriously, promptly and confidentially. Victimisation will result in disciplinary action and may warrant dismissal.
Complaints from members of the public will be dealt with under agreed procedures (a copy of these procedures is available from the Chairman of Charity Education International and also from the office of Charity Education International at Napiershall Street Centre, 39 Napiershall Street, Glasgow G20 6EZ, UK. Tel. 0141-339 6546. E-mail: contact@ceiuk.org
Date: 23 June, 2011