[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/hr_inclusiveComm.jpg” caption=”Do you want in? Complete the Inclusive Community Project survey to have your opinions heard. “]Here is your chance to participate in building a McMaster community where we all welcome, value and listen to each other. On Monday, March 20, the Inclusive Community Project will initiate a campus-wide survey of every member of the McMaster community. The survey will arrive in your e-mail inbox and will contain the words
'Inclusive Community Survey' in the subject line.

The confidential survey gives participants the opportunity to share, in a completely safe manner, ideas and opinions on McMaster's efforts to build a more inclusive community. The survey will be administered entirely by the Ibis Consulting Group, an independent diversity and organizational change consultant. Web-users will access the survey through an independent web portal controlled by Ibis Consulting.

Paper surveys will also be available at the Human Rights and Equity Services Office (MUSC 212) and at points around campus for those who do not have access to the Internet. The completed paper surveys will be sealed and mailed directly to IBIS by the Human Rights and Equity Services Office.

Ibis Consulting will review and analyze the confidential survey results and will provide information to the University on the general trends identified in the responses.

As part of McMaster's commitment to build an inclusive community with a shared purpose, the University is undertaking the Inclusive Community Project  a two-year effort funded by the Refining Directions implementation plan. This project is under the direction of the Presidents Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC) and is a joint effort involving PACBIC, the Human Rights and Equity Services Office and Ibis Consulting Group.

The project is currently in its information-gathering phase. This phase has already involved 22 successful focus groups which took place in early January and in which over 100 people from faculty, staff and students participated. The survey – which will be officially launched in the MUSC marketplace on Tuesday, March 21 from 11 to 3 p.m., provides another way in which campus members can voice their ideas and opinions on how to enhance the inclusive community at McMaster.

Don't miss this opportunity to complete the survey from March 20 – 31. Every participant may enter their name into a draw in order to win great prizes. Prizes available to be won include two iPods and $100 gift cards to Quarters, Food Services and the Titles bookstore. Information on how to fill out the survey online will be contained in the March 20 email from the Inclusion steering committee which will provide the link to the off-site survey web-site.

Campus members can also drop by Tuesday's launch event in the student centre. Computers will be available for people to complete the survey on the spot.

For more information, visit the Inclusive Community Project websiteor contact the Human Rights and Equity Services Office at extension 27581 or hres@mcmaster.ca.

The survey takes less than 15 minutes to complete. The results can change our community. Do you want in?