Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Inland Empire Swimming

Inland Empire Swimming, as a member LSC of USA Swimming, is committed to a culture of inclusion and opportunity for people of diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to, race, age, income, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Refer to Article 304.3.2 of the Rule Book for USA Swimming’s Code of Conduct.

Information and Resources regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can be found HERE on USA Swimming's website.

The IES DEI Chair is Shelly Sobek (UN) - she can be contacted via email for assistance with DEI within the club environment: [email protected]

DEI Updates

September 23, 2024

This past June, two athletes and one non-athlete member were chosen by IES to attend the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Camp for the Western Zone.  These 3 people had the opportunity to meet and train with other athletes and adults with the desire to learn more about DEI initiatives and how we can improve our DEI initiatives in the Inland Empire area.  They were also able to bond with other DEI participants at the Olympic Trials.  They were asked upon their return to share their experiences and new knowledge in a slides presentation format that could be shared with our IES members.  We believe education is the first step to helping our members understand the importance of our DEI program and how we can improve with the IES Clubs, Board and all USA members in our area.
 
We ask that you take the time to share this slideshow link with your board members and club members to help us spread the word about DEI.  
 
Thank you for helping us share the exciting information that was brought back by our Athlete representatives Kevin Gu and Camryn Schmidt, and our non-athlete member April Wakley.

 

June 19, 2024

DEI Western Zone Camp and Summit is underway in Indiana, June 17th-20th.  Kevin Wu and Camryn Schmidt are representing IES at the camp and will be returning home with valuable information to help us improve our diversity equity and inclusion for Inland Empire Swimming! April Walkley is also in attendance at the DEI summit in order to help bring back valuable information for our programs, as well. We are looking forward to ways that we can improve our support of USA Swimming and DEI’s mission to help all athletes feel welcome at their local clubs, events, and competitions.

 
Athletes were selected for the DEI camp by a committee that included IES athlete representatives.  The athletes are traveling to Butler University to participate in both training opportunities with coaches, staff and other athletes of diverse backgrounds, and in educational sessions to help them feel empowered to spread the work of DEI in our LSC.  The DEI Camp will conclude with an exciting night of finals at the US Olympic Trials to see how our diverse athletes are impacting USA Swimming at the national level through their swimming, courage, and leadership.
 
Once our athletes return, they will be sharing a PowerPoint presentation that will help us identify areas that we can improve in diversity, equity, and inclusion in our local clubs and throughout our LSC.  This will be sent to local clubs to help educate board members, coaches, and athletes in the importance of creating equality in our sport.
 

DEI Goals: To empower athletes from ethnically underrepresented populations, those economically disadvantaged, and LGBTQAI2S+ and their coaches to:

  1. Demonstrate the viability of inclusiveness in swimming within their local LSC.
  2. Achieve performance excellence at every level of the sport.
  3. Expound the benefits and value of participating in the sport of swimming.
  4. Be positive leaders and role models that others from socioeconomic backgrounds can emulate.
  5. To connect, network, and promote the virtues of the sport of swimming through a comprehensive strategy involving the athletes, coaches, and LSC DEI Chairs in their own local LSC’s and throughout the Western Zone.

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Jan 2024:  Calling all IES Athletes - Apply for this year's DEI Camp:

The LSC is excited to announce applications are open for the 2024 WZ DEI Camp that will be in Indianapolis at Butler University in June. We will be sending two athletes. 
 
Goals: To empower athletes from ethnically underrepresented populations, those economically disadvantaged, and LGBTQAI2S+ and their coaches to:
  1. Demonstrate the viability of inclusiveness in swimming within their local LSC.
  2. Achieve performance excellence at every level of the sport.
  3. Expound the benefits and value of participating in the sport of swimming.
  4. Be positive leaders and role models that others from socioeconomic backgrounds can emulate.
  5. To connect, network, and promote the virtues of the sport of swimming through a comprehensive strategy involving the athletes, coaches, and LSC DEI Chairs in their own local LSC’s and throughout the Western Zone.
 
A few highlights:
  • Dates: June 17-20, 2024
  • Location: Butler University, Indianapolis, IN.
  • Camp attendees will attend one finals session of Trials.
  • Ages: 13 to 16 years old at the time of the camp.
  • Time Requirements: Athletes should have at least 1-time at or near the AA motivational time standard.
  • Disqualification from attending: Has attended an in-person WZ DEI Camp, Regional Select Camp, or National DEI Camp. 
 
The application can be viewed at the link below. Applications will be open for a while to ensure accessibility to as many athletes as possible until March 4, 2024.
 

 

DEI Programming

  • The USA Swimming BOD has adopted Para Time Standards. Before 2018, para swimmers had no standards to attach personal goals. Unfortunately, they have been denied access to most championship meets due to the lack of available standards. Adopting these time standards allows the inclusion of all para-athletes. Below is the link to the Para Motivational Time Standards. https://www.usaswimming.org/docs/default-source/timesdocuments/time-standards/lsc-para-times-ndc-official.pdf
  • Inland Empire Swimming is proudly part of the Western Zone. The Western Zone is working endlessly to create more programs under Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 
  • It is our goal to provide educational opportunities to our members and staff in our LSC. We must have resources at our disposal for our coaches, athletes, officials, parents, etc.

Important Links