How We’re Amplifying Diversity and Inclusion at Congress
The AFP-GTC Board is excited to host Congress, Canada’s largest fundraising professional development conference on November 7 – 8. Recognizing the continued health and safety challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress 2022 will be a hybrid conference offering some sessions and all plenaries virtually, and an in-person offering at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The AFP-GTC Board strives to organize and host inclusive and accessible events that enable all guests to fully engage and participate whether in-person or virtually. To reap the benefits of a participative and enriching audience engagement, below are the top 11 ways IDEA (Inclusive, Diversity, Equitable and Accessible) is incorporated into Congress.
Accessible and Inclusive Venue
Congress will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, a renowned accessible event venue for our attendees with reduced mobility, including outdoor ramps, indoor elevators and accessible parking and washrooms. All levels are accessible under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require additional support or accommodation in the event of an emergency evacuation, please notify Security upon your arrival to the Centre at (416) 585-8360.
All-Gender Washrooms
Access to washrooms is a basic physical need at the core of human dignity for everyone. For trans and gender non-conforming people, using public washrooms can be a source of anxiety and stress. People whose appearance does not conform to what is commonly expected of men or women are frequently subjected to stares, questions, comments, verbal harassment, or even physical violence when trying to access washrooms. We will have gender-neutral washrooms available located on the third floor, outside of Hall C, and on the second floor by the breakout rooms, both will be clearly marked.
Quiet Room
A quiet room has been reserved in Rom 204 for attendees who require privacy for lactation, prayer, or time alone to reset and recharge.
Priority Seating
We are pleased to provide priority seating at the front reserved in all rooms for our guests that have accessibility barriers and require accommodations. If you require assistance with the priority seating, please ask one of our volunteers.
Prioritizing Health and Wellness
Health and safety continue to be the utmost priority for attendees, staff, and volunteers. Attendees have the option to choose a special lanyard to represent their comfort level with physical interactions.
Green: I’m okay with handshakes.
Yellow: I’m okay with elbow and fist bumps.
Red: No touching please, I’m happy just waving “hello.”
Gender Name Tags
Attendees can select and share their pronouns to identify their genders including she/her, he/him, they/them and ze/zir. You can pick up your pronoun button at the registration desk.
Online Experience
For our attendees joining virtually, we want you to have the same experience as if you were also in person. The closed caption will be provided for real-time speech-to-text captioning. We welcome you to join the conversation in the chat room and Q&A section!
Affinity Group Breakfasts
Do you identify as a Black, Indigenous, or racialized fundraising professional? Are you a fundraising professional in the 2SLGBTQI+community? If so, we would love to have you join us in person for a new breakfast networking event created to help you build meaningful and lasting connections that will carry you through Congress and beyond.
Our breakfast meet-up will allow fundraising professionals from diverse backgrounds to deepen their connection to each other, celebrate coming together, and share stories about how your lived experiences have helped shape your career. Breakfast meet-ups for Black, Indigenous and racialized fundraising professionals will be on November 7, and attendees from the 2SLGBTQI+ community on November 8.
As part of our commitment to IDEA, the AFP-GTC Board will be using feedback from this event to create similar unique, and safe spaces for other affinity groups in the future.
Diversity of speakers and topics
The Congress education committee has purposefully chosen speakers, presenters, and topics that are representative of our diverse industry. This is the key to ensuring Congress features a diverse and interesting mix of ideas, experiences and opinions shared and discussed and making a wider group of attendees feel welcome.
Financial support for attendees and speakers
AFP-GTC is committed to reducing financial barriers and ensuring economical accessibility for our attendees and speakers. Four bursaries were provided to cover event registration for members and non-members who met the outlined eligibility criteria.
Diverse Menu
Event organizers have diverse menu options including dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, kosher, vegetarian, vegan, and nonalcoholic options. If you didn’t provide your special dietary requirements when you registered, please contact mford@afptoronto.org.
If you have accessibility needs or have questions about IDEA@Congress, please reach out to events@afptoronto.org.