Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Sonoma Valley Community Communications (SVCC) is a community media organization dedicated to diversity and inclusivity in broadcasting. KSVY & SonomaTV believes acceptance and inclusion are essential to the communities we represent, and KSVY’ volunteer-driven programming encourages and reflects such diversity. For KSVY & SonomaTV, diversity begins with fundamental notions of acceptance, tolerance, and respect. We bolster this through regular conversations and outreach to overcome structural and cultural norms in our community that counter the value of inclusion and equity.

It is the mission of KSVY & SonomaTV to enlighten, entertain, inform and educate our listeners in support of the community. To do this, we:

  • Train local volunteers from our community in best broadcasting practices and the use of the radio & television medium
  • Amplify regional news and information
  • Promote creative freedom free of commercial consideration
  • Maintain an organization that presents the diversity of interests in the station’s broadcast area
  • Develop working relationships & partnership with other community organizations & civic agencies
  • Cultivate a respectful and collaborative working environment
  • Inspire financial support from the listeners we serve by soliciting feedback and meeting our mission goals to bring value 

SVCC is committed to cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the organization, including its employees, its Board of Directors, and the many volunteers that produce its programming and community events. SVCC defines diversity as a varied individual and collective perspective, often resulting from differences in, but not limited to, the following:

  • Age
  • Ancestry, national origin
  • Disability, mental & physical
  • Economic status
  • Gender identity and expression
  • Genetic information
  • Immigration status
  • Marital status
  • Medical condition
  • Military or veteran status
  • Nationality
  • Pregnancy status
  • Race, Ethnicity
  • Religion, creed
  • Sex, gender
  • Sexual orientation
  • Victims of a major violent event and their families

(SVCC defers to California state law regarding protected groups, statuses, and designations)

The SVCC board and staff seek participation in its programming and outreach activities from diverse local populations, most of whom are community volunteers. We develop and foster new audiences with specific programming. Additionally, we actively seek to engage younger persons by creating opportunities and involvement of youth with our lasting relationships with regional youth education and community organizations.

SVCC’s commitment to diversity includes regular meetings of a Community Radio Steering Committee designed to solicit advice and feedback from our diverse listening audience. The CRSC helps to identify needs and opportunities in the community and generate ideas for ways to provide programming relevant to our region and its neighbors. SVCC seeks members for the CRSC that represent the diverse composition of the many communities within our broadcast reach. 

SVCC is committed to ensuring that staff and the Board of Directors reflect the diversity in the communities it serves. Central to SVCC’s mission is maintaining an independent, grass-roots governing and workplace environment that recognizes and celebrates diversity’s synergy. SVCC strives to create and foster a supportive, creative atmosphere where individuals can be successful and reach their full potential within the organization and beyond.

At least once per year, SVCC board members and staff will participate in professional diversity and inclusivity training. Additionally, SVCC will regularly review the practices and policies designed to fulfill the organization’s commitment to diversity and its goals with its staff and Board of Directors. We seek to promote a vibrant and ever-expanding culture of acceptance, tolerance, and respect for all members of the organization and the community we serve.

SVCC is community media dedicated to diversity and inclusivity in broadcasting. KSVY & SonomaTV believe acceptance and inclusion are essential to our mission and media. KSVY’s volunteer-driven programming encourages and reflects such diversity. For KSVY & SonomaTV, diversity begins with fundamental notions of acceptance, tolerance, and respect. We bolster this through regular conversations and outreach to overcome structural and cultural norms in our community that counter the value of inclusion and equity. As an organization, we face common challenges to DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) efforts as some may respond negatively, perceiving DEI efforts as a threat to their self-identities. DEI is also inhibited by resources to reach, attract demographics and sustain relationships. SVCC will continue to diversify our programming and educate our organization through specific DEI goals determined by the steering committee.Â