TKO DEI IMPACT GOAL STATEMENT:
TKO seeks to establish a culture of anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion to build a movement where all trail users in Oregon feel safe and welcome in outdoor spaces.
TKO 2020-30 Strategic Plan produced over 2019 embedded DEI principles throughout stewardship, advocacy, communications and executive impact goal strategies that corresponded with our TKO board committees.
After that strategic planning effort was complete, we quickly realized forming a DEI committee would help us focus our work in building a more diverse, inclusive and equitable organization. A supplemental strategic plan document was produced by our TKO DEI committee comprised of staff, board and volunteers.
TKO’s MISSION
Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and enhance the Oregon hiking experience through stewardship, advocacy, outreach and education.
TKO’s VISION
Oregon’s trails are a place where people can go to connect with nature and one another. They are accessible and welcoming to all communities.
The trails and the natural lands that visitors explore are well cared for by TKO inspired stewards and dedicated public resources.
TKO’s CORE VALUES
QUALITY:
We build, restore and maintain trails at the highest standards to leave a lasting legacy.
INCLUSION:
We create partnerships with diverse communities and work together to make trails and nature welcoming & accessible.
LEADERSHIP:
We give voice to Oregon’s hiking community, building bridges between the public and decision-makers to ensure a thriving trail system in Oregon, accessible to all communities.
APPRECIATION:
We connect people with nature, inspiring a responsibility to maintain access to Oregon’s natural places.
COLLABORATION:
We develop collaborative relationships and trusting partnerships with land managers, volunteers and trail supporters to make significant impact with limited resources.
TKO’S COMMITMENT
In February 2020 at the TKO Leadership Summit, we were led in a keynote discussion on historical trauma and the history of indigenous peoples in Oregon. A product of that presentation and subsequent breakout sessions was how our role as leaders in volunteer programming can bring awareness of marginalized groups, interrupt harm amongst our participants and build a culture of safe and welcoming space in the outdoors. The TKO Safety Preamble was established shortly thereafter and is a foundational part of each and every event we host.
TKO’S SAFETY PREAMBLE
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
TKO recognizes that these trails that we now steward travel through the traditional lands of a number indigenous tribes and we seek to build awareness within our participants of who those people are. These indigenous people were forced to cede their land, their home, to the US government. We are privileged to visit those lands today & express gratitude to the descendants of these tribes for being the original stewards of these lands.
EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
TKO seeks to make Oregon’s trails a place where people can go to connect with nature & one another. Not everyone feels safe & welcome in the outdoors due to racism, bias & hate. We commit to being part of the solution to change that. Conduct, speech, or expressions that target individuals or groups will not be tolerated by TKO, regardless of whether they are based on age, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, geographic origin, language, marital status, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Your physical & emotional safety is our number one priority. If a person’s actions or comments make you feel uncomfortable/unsafe – interrupt directly, tell a crew leader &/or complete a post-event survey.
TOUGH CARING CONTRACT
If you see me doing or saying anything unsafe or hurtful, approaching an unsafe condition, or slipping into automatic behavior or implicit bias, would you let me know? I agree to do the same for you. I will accept your intervention as an act of caring about my health, safety & awareness. I agree to intervene for the same reason. I will take your feedback & give feedback with trust and respect, so we can mutually benefit.
TRAILKEEPER CODE
During our 2021 TKO Leadership Summit, we established the Trailkeeper Code. We found that in order to interrupt implicit bias, instances of racism or physical harm, we needed to have a code of conduct to hold our staff, board and volunteers accountable. SAFETY – FUN – SERVICE is foundational in joining the trail party for every Trailkeeper!
As a Trailkeeper, I am participating in and contributing to TKO’s stewardship community. I embrace and uphold the following principles:
SAFETY
- Physical and emotional safety is my number one priority.
- I take an active role in creating a community that interrupts racism, bias, and hate.
- I commit to giving and receiving feedback with grace and humility.
- I treat fellow Trailkeepers and the public with honesty, authenticity, and respect.
FUN
- I create a rewarding experience by bringing positivity to my interactions and efforts.
- I celebrate diversity in the Trailkeeper community with appreciation and enthusiasm.
- I embrace challenges with creativity, compassion, and a spirit of compromise.
- I am generous in sharing my skills and open to learning from others.
SERVICE
- Quality is achieved when I prioritize TKO’s principles of safety and fun.
- I bring my best efforts to all of my TKO experiences.
- I recognize fellow Trailkeepers’ efforts, ideas, and contributions as essential to shared success.
- I dedicate my service to enhancing Oregon’s trails and our community.
DEI Spectrum Tool
In order for TKO to be accountable for learning, growing and becoming a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organization, we have measured our presence, progress, and possible shortcomings through the Meyer-Memorial DEI Spectrum Tool. TKO has had individual board members and staff, and in subsequent years sent out surveys for TKO supporters and lead volunteers, self-assess where they believed TKO was across a spectrum:
Not Yet Started – Ready to Start – Launched – Well on the Way – Exemplary/Leading
Based on this tool’s 12 key DEI components, we have identified areas where we are progressing and can dive deeper.
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FOREST SERVICE TRAILS
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VOLUNTEERS, AGENCY AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS & SPECIAL GUESTS
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FEET OF TRAIL TO BE MAINTAINED
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VALUE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Partners & Supporters
TKO’s mission is accomplished through thoughtful relationships with passionate partners and supporters.
Want to Get Involved?
Send us a message to learn more about how you can help us advocate for Oregon’s trails. Or contact us at:
Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, Oregon 97293
(971) 206-4351
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Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, OR 97293
(971) 206-4351