The Friends for Racial Equity and Education (FREE) Committee helps Friends General Conference (FGC) live into its commitment to becoming an actively anti-racist faith community. Specifically, FREE supports this work by developing educational resources and creating learning experiences. Additionally, the committee guides FGC staff and governance bodies in anti-racism practice.
Committee Charge
The Friends for Racial Equity and Education Committee seeks to help FGC live into Major Goal #4: “Transform our awareness so that our corporate and individual attitudes and actions fully value and encompass the blessed diversity of our human family.”
FREE’s intention is to help the organization see the vital importance of diversity work for FGC’s ongoing health. As a result, the committee works to develop action plans to confront and dismantle systems of oppression within the organization.
Furthermore, FREE raises awareness about issues and realities of institutional oppression and privilege. The committee works particularly with FGC staff and governance members. Currently, FREE focuses on issues of racial and ethnic diversity. At the same time, the committee uncovers dynamics of power and privilege.
This work includes examining position in the organization. It also addresses dynamics of power based on race, ethnicity, status, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, health, mobility, and intellectual differences.
FREE recognizes that FGC is a hierarchical organization. Therefore, the committee’s intention is to foster a staff and committee culture where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued.
What FREE Does
FREE carries out its work through several areas of focus:
- Staff Anti-Racism Capacity Building: FREE develops and supports learning journeys for FGC staff. This work helps integrate anti-racism into daily work and organizational culture.
- Supporting Governance with the Anti-Racism Query: FREE, in conjunction with the Institutional Assessment Implementation Committee, helps committees and governance bodies apply the FGC anti-racism query: “How does this decision support FGC in its goal to transform into an actively anti-racist faith community?”
- Educational Resources: FREE creates workshops, guides, and other materials. These resources help staff, volunteers, and governance members grow in their anti-racism practice.
- Systemic Change: FREE identifies patterns and systemic issues that require organizational attention. The committee then connects this work to the broader work of the Ministry on Racism.
Connection to the Ministry on Racism
FREE is one of several committees that support the Ministry on Racism. The Ministry on Racism serves as the strategic steward of FGC’s anti-racism commitment across the organization. As part of this network, FREE collaborates with the Ministry on Racism Committee, the Institutional Assessment Implementation Committee, and the Ministry on Racism staff and program committees to advance this work.
Who Might Join FREE
FREE welcomes Friends who are actively engaged in their own anti-racism journey. In particular, the committee seeks Friends who resonate with FGC’s approach to this work. Friends with backgrounds in education, facilitation, organizational development, or anti-racism training often bring valuable gifts to the committee. However, FREE encourages any Friend with a commitment to racial equity to explore this opportunity. A willingness to learn is essential.
Friends of Color and Friends from communities at the margins bring essential perspectives to this work. The committee also welcomes white Friends who have engaged deeply in their own anti-racism journey and who can support FGC’s transformation.
Committee service begins with discernment. This means reflecting on what gifts you bring based on your lived experience and personal journey in anti-racism. The committee meets monthly to coordinate its work and support one another.
Join FREE
Anyone interested in supporting FGC’s anti-racism transformation is warmly welcome to explore joining FREE. Volunteers help FGC grow in its commitment to racial equity. They also help strengthen its community of faith.
Contact us if you are interested in learning more about FREE.
Have specific volunteer interests? Fill out the Volunteer Skills and Interests Survey.
To learn more about FGC’s broader anti-racism work, visit the Ministry on Racism page.