News

In recent years, violent acts against people of color, LGBTQ+, and faith-based communities have resulted in a proliferation of volunteer organizations that work on diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and access (DEIJA) topics (e.g. Black Marine Science, Out in STEM, etc.) In our own Sea Grant network as in other organizations, state and national level DEIJA advisory committees, working groups, and communities of practice have been established. Too often, however, DEIJA work is uncompensated labor done by people with marginalized identities, whose ability to advance in their workplaces may depend on the removal of systems of oppression in our organizations. Undervalued volunteerism quickly leads to burnout, and workplace dissatisfaction results in turnover and attrition of highly qualified employees. To combat this trend, we must elevate DEIJA work with adequate compensation, to reflect the values of our Sea Grant organization. Recently hired paid DEIJA staff at Oregon Sea Grant (ORSG) will discuss ORSG’s journey from volunteer DEIJA efforts to organizational support for compensating this work. They will discuss ORSG’s role and reach, describe the National Sea Grant DEIJA landscape, and share the challenges and lessons learned of being the first compensated DEIJA staff for ORSG. They will engage with the audience through facilitated activities in considering the “value” of DEIJA work, how to equitably distribute this labor, and how to maintain momentum and commitment while safeguarding work/life balance. Participants will leave prepared to advocate with their leadership for compensated DEIJA positions, and strategies to bring those positions to fruition.