STATEMENT OF VALUES AND ETHICAL PRACTICES

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES

Collaboration

Choral singing is inherently collaborative. Inversion works with living composers, adding an additional layer to the collaborative process. Through its community partnerships and audience engagement events, Inversion embraces the spirit of collaboration in all it undertakes.

Ensuring Equity (see *)                     

Diversity enriches the arts. New art forms flourish when the voices of disenfranchised and under-represented populations are included in programs, governance, and community activities. Inversion’s mission to commission and perform new music embraces a full range of races, genders and ages in its creative process and its leadership structure. It affiliates with other nonprofits that share its commitment to social justice.

Innovating and Risk-taking

Inversion was born to innovate. It is in a constant process of evolving and inventing through its multimedia programs, its non-traditional formats and venues, and its composers’ collaborative model. Its leadership stays abreast of musical trends and constantly seeks out new ideas and new forms of musical inspiration. Inversion is willing to take risks to explore the outer edges of its musical art form.

Aspiring to Excellence

Inversion’s composers, performers, and production teams strive for the highest possible levels of quality in musical performance and technical presentation.  Its board upholds best practices in leadership, governance, and stewardship of the financial and human resources essential to fulfilling its mission.

* Defining and differentiating DEI terms and benchmarks

Diversity is representation. It is recognizable when a full range of races, genders, and ages are together in a place or for a purpose.

Inclusion is participation. It is achieved when diverse populations are involved in decision making that affects the policies and practices of the organization.

Equity is fairness in procedures, processes, and the distribution of resources. It is attained when disparities in the outcomes experienced by historically under-represented populations have been eliminated.

[Source, with some adaptations: Chamber Music America DEI Indicators 2018]

STATEMENT OF ETHICAL VALUES

From the above values, we derive these ethical principles and behaviors. They apply equally to board members, staff and volunteers. Any one of these bullets can be expanded upon if greater detail is needed – a few examples are in yellow highlights. These can get quite granular; I suggest keeping things general unless elaboration is helpful or necessary.

How we treat one another

  • We always treat each other with respect.

  • We conduct all meetings and rehearsals in a courteous manner and without harassment or belittling behaviors. We discuss differences of opinion politely and harmoniously.

    • Singers will review all pre-rehearsal communication, arrive promptly for rehearsals, and be prepared with scores and notation devices

    • All staff, musicians, and others  involved will be required to sign a Code of Conduct/Anti-Harassment Agreement

  • We honor and comply with the rules and requirements of our performance venues and artistic and professional partners.

  • Donors and ticket buyers are essential to our growth and well-being. We always treat them graciously and hospitably. We maintain strict confidentiality of all donor records and clarify individual donor preferences for anonymity, especially on social media.

Equity and Social Responsibility

●         Inversion will not knowingly work with artists or perform in venues where discrimination of any kind is practiced.

●         Inversion will establish a fair and equitable system of salaries and fees for all staff and contractors, always working to be as generous and competitive as possible within its market.

●          Opportunities to write, sing, work or volunteer for Inversion are disseminated widely to reach a diverse population, and such opportunities are filled without regard to race, gender or gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

●         Inversion strongly encourages sustainability by making use of alternatives to paper as much as possible, e.g. digital score reproductions, and QR code access to program notes instead of printed booklets. Having said this, Inversion is committed to accessibility; therefore, a very limited number of large print programs per concert are available to those who need it.

Business and Governance Practices

  • We comply with IRS and other regulations governing 501(c) (3) organizations and follow generally accepted accounting principles in the maintenance and reporting of our financial activities. Our annual budgets are prepared and presented with full transparency.

  • Inversion strictly observes all national and international laws governing copyright and intellectual properties.

  • Board members, staff, and contractors will notify Inversion leadership of any conflicts of interest that could compromise their professional duties and responsibilities.

    • Board members will annually sign a conflict-of-interest statement.

    • The Board will review potential conflicts on a case-by-case basis.

  • This organization strictly prohibits and will not tolerate nepotism, favoritism, coercion, and quid pro quo. under any circumstances.

  • Those employed as musicians or staff members must be hired based on merit and are subject to a standard review process by the board.

  • Unless previously known to the Board of Directors, intimate behavior and/or sexual relationships between persons in inherently unequal positions where one party has real or perceived authority, influence or power over the other are prohibited. Such relationships are inappropriate if they have an actual, perceived or potential influence over the professional relationship or workplace. These relationships, even if consensual, could be a violation of this policy and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. In the event of a dissolution of the relationship, the parties concerned should exhibit professional behavior during Inversion activities. If the behavior of either or all parties impacts the well-being of the organization, the Board deserves the right to subject this/these individual/s to disciplinary action, including termination of responsibilities.