We Need Everybody in Maryland Swimming!
Mission: To create, sustain and enhance opportunities for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the MDSI community.
Vision: Obtain MDSI priority to become the sport of choice by increasing our membership's diversity and creating, sustaining and enhancing a more inclusive and equitable culture. This will be obtained through engagement, communication, celebration and education to ensure all Members reach their full potential and develop skills for life-long success.
At Maryland Swimming, we value diversity, embrace equity and pursue inclusion. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee welcomes all Maryland Swimming members! Kindly contact DEI Committee Chair Andrea Busch to be added to the email list for updates, including the dates and times of upcoming virtual meetings.
NEXT MEETING: January 26, 2022 8:15 pm
USA SWIMMING DIVERSITY CAMPS
USA Swimming offers a variety of camp opportunities to help its member athletes across the nation reach their full potential. Swimmers can progress through USA Swimming’s camp programs, moving on to more and more camp opportunities as they improve.
USA Swimming Diversity Camp Progressions
USA Swimming: Why is Outreach Important
USA SWIMMING OUTREACH PROGRAM
USA Swimming is committed to providing outreach membership for families in need. You can read more about the program here.
USA Swimming Outreach Program FAQs
USA Swimming: Why is Outreach Important
Discretionary Reimbursement Fund
Outreach Athlete Eligibility Forms and Outreach Athlete Registration: MD Swimming Forms Page
BLACK LIVES MATTER - EMPATHY TO ACTION
The exhibit ‘Pool’ explores how the legacy of segregated pools still denies Black people the joy of water read more..
CULLEN JONES was the first U.S. Black swimmer to hold a world record. After he almost drowned, his mother enrolled him in swim lessons. His talent was quickly realized as he went on to swim competitively at local swim clubs in New Jersey and at NC State. In total, Cullen has won 13 medals in international competition including 7 gold medals. He supports the USA Swimming Foundation and has helped teach local MD kids to swim. Cullen Jones exemplifies why #blackswimmersmatter. Watch him teach his mom how to swim!
SWIMMERS WITH DISABILITIES
PARALYMPIC QUALIFYING TIMES - Our LSC allows for a championship meet for all levels and abilities in the short course season. Therefore athletes with a disability are included in the meet that their time qualifies them for making for an inclusive environment. At our LSC Championship meet, where we do not offer multiple long course championship meets, just one with time standards. Athletes with a disability qualify using the Can AM Paralympic time standard by classification for our state meet. Swimmers are encouraged to seek a national certification to open up additional opportunities behind just swimming in the LSC championship meets level. This program was approved by our Board of Directors by unanimous vote in 2019.
Maryland Swimming's Disability Chair, Andrew Barranco
WE NEED DIVERSE OFFICIALS, TOO!
Three things we know -
Young athletes whose parents volunteer in their support are more likely to stay in their sport.
Diverse athletes consistently say they would feel more included in swimming if more officials mirrored their diversity.
Parents who NEVER PARTICIPATED IN SWIMMING make great officials. The training is free and there is no obligation to continue as an official if you find out it is not for you.
CHECK THE BOX
When you register with USA Swimming be sure to include your ethnicity or disability.
Increase Diversity Increase Ethnic, Multicultural, Disability, and Socio-Economic Diversity at all levels of our sport. We cannot change what we do not measure.
Encourage New Initiatives Be counted! Let USA Swimming and MD Swimming know you are out there and you want them to continue to find new ways to encourage diversity and inclusion.
Stay Informed Stay informed of opportunities for swimmers like you!
GENDER DIVERSITY
The US Center for Safe Sport and USA Swimming prohibit discrimination against any member or participant on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity. USA Swimming provides a variety of resources for anyone who wants to learn more.
MDSI Policy for Gender-Diverse Athletes
USA Swimming Resources for LGBTQ Athletes
AQUATICS COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Truclusion website - Truclusion is a Women of Color owned and operated consulting firm specializing in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Conversation Guides Equip Young Leaders to Advance Equity and Inclusion from the Annie E. Casey Foundation
Anti-Bias Tools and Strategies from the ADL
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