A New Era for the Community Engagement Committee Begins in Montréal
A cornerstone committee of M3AAWG that brings a vital range of perspectives to our global anti-abuse efforts will soon have a refined charter and new title.
As announced during the Chairperson Opening at the 67th M3AAWG General Meeting in Montreal, Canada, the newly named Community Engagement Committee (formerly known as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee) forges ahead with its updated charter, kick-starting a new era with a deepened emphasis on:
- Strengthening an environment where everyone feels fully empowered to participate, connect, and stay engaged with M3AAWG.
- Ensuring a "sense of belonging" reverberates throughout everything M3AAWG does, regardless of someone's background or experience level.
- Promoting a silo-free environment across all committees, SIGs, and Initiatives to reinforce a shared "M3AAWG as one" identity.
- Expanding the diversity of ideas that shape our work by removing barriers to participation in M3AAWG (i.e., speaking opportunities, entry-level roles, and leadership).
M3AAWG is proud to be guided by the leadership of Co-Chairs J van Aalten, Amanda Jackson, and Janet Jones, whose experience, vision, and dedication continue to drive the growth and impact of the Community Engagement Committee.
"As the needs of our members continue to evolve, these updates reflect our commitment to regularly evaluating and enhancing how we foster engagement, strengthen connections, and create meaningful opportunities for participation across the community," said M3AAWG Expert Advisor and Committee Co-Chair Janet Jones.
"Upholding and strengthening M3AAWG’s CLARITY framework and upholding the Chatham House Rules standard that has been essential to our organization since day one. It protects a safe and respectful environment for sharing ideas. The goal is to ensure full representation and a balanced viewpoint is always reflected in our work,” Janet added.
The Next Steps in Community Engagement
Welcoming new voices into the room is crucial for keeping M3AAWG a global, trusted forum capable of keeping pace with the mutations of online abuse. As a promising sign that new perspectives are taking hold, roughly one-third of those attending the last several M3AAWG General Meetings were first-timers.
Keeping members engaged by fostering an inclusive and accessible environment is a core responsibility of the Committee. At the heart of engagement is creating opportunities for diverse voices to be heard, valued, and represented throughout the community.
The Committee’s efforts are already underway, with work efforts focused on making M3AAWG more accessible and welcoming to all members, including:
- Reviewing resources, meetings, and programming to align with current accessibility best practices.
- Identifying opportunities to reduce barriers to participation and improve the overall member experience.
"Community engagement at M3AAWG means a 'You Belong Here' feeling rings throughout everything we do. The current accessibility work we are leading ensures no viewpoint gets left behind," said Amanda Jackson, Co-Chair of the Community Engagement Committee.
Ensure Your Voice is Heard
If you are a M3AAWG member or someone seeking to contribute to the M3AAWG mission, but aren't sure where to go, the Community Engagement Committee wants to hear from you.
M3AAWG members wanting to contribute to these efforts are encouraged to join the Community Engagement Committee.
Interested in Contributing to the Fight Against Online Abuse?
Great! We encourage you to consider applying to become an M3AAWG member and kickstart your anti-abuse efforts among the leading global anti-abuse forum.
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