A Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (deib) Initiative
Belonging in Big Sky is a community-wide diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging (DEIB) initiative supporting the diverse communities that live and work in Big Sky through funding, community education, and events.
FUNDING
Funding to enhance community services and programming
EDUCATION
Education regarding the ‘what, why & how’ of DEIB work
EVENTS
Events that reflect & celebrate the diversity of Big Sky
Our Mission
To create a sense of belonging so that, whether here for a day or a lifetime, everyone in our community feels welcomed, valued, respected, and safe.
Our Vision
Big Sky is a place of connection… with history, the landscape, and each other. Belonging in Big Sky aims to honor and enhance these connections.
Through a systems-based, genuine, forward-thinking approach, Belonging in Big Sky will help maintain a community environment that promotes respect and understanding for the many facets of diversity, accessibility, and individual identity.
This will help ensure the prosperity and sense of belonging for ALL members of this community now, and for generations to come.
Why?
Because all people deserve fairness, respect, access, support, safety, opportunity, and a sense of belonging in our community.
After an initial needs assessment surveying 50 individuals from diverse backgrounds that live and work in Big Sky, it became clear there were needs, gaps in support, and a lack of understanding & data that needed to be addressed.
DEIB work allows us to do what’s right for people and what’s good for our community at the same time! Communities, organizations, and businesses that invest in DEIB work have a proven advantage over those who don’t.
The world is changing fast… “The expectations of business to drive societal change and environmental change has never been higher,” -Michele Parmelee, Deloitte Global deputy CEO
Current Efforts Include:
Partnership between 30+ area organizations around a data collection and sharing project with sciGaia – Wellbeing Analytics to inform future actions, efforts, and funding
Partnership with City of Bozeman & Belonging in Bozeman Equity & Inclusion Plan
Chamber created new role and hired a workforce development coordinator
Community education DEIB workshops (launch Spring ‘23)
DEIB resource guide and tool-kit for organizations to advance DEIB goals
Partnership with Be Well Big Sky for accessible behavioral health resources
Increased funding support from local community foundations
Development support for Bienvenidos & Thrive Big Sky School/Family Liaison Program
Increased sports & rec programming to help reduce barriers to entry
Increased cultural event programming to celebrate and reflect the diversity of Big Sky
Research & resources highlighting Indigenous history of greater Big Sky area
Ongoing collection of testimonials and feedback
Spring 2022
Big Sky Chamber of Commerce hosted a 3-part DEIB workshop with MTREP.
Summer 2022
DEIB committee & Hale Creative Consulting, monthly meetings, created framework.
Fall 2022
Needs assessment, partnership building, building out a strategic plan.
Winter 2023
Partnerships, program building, begin sciGaia data project, community engagement.
Spring 2023
Public launch, community engagement, implementation of programming
