Civility-Diversity Skit
Characters:
Helen– Unit President
Jan – Unit Secretary
Alice – “Petty, resistant to change” Member
Carol – “Gossipy” Member
Mary – “Welcoming” Member
Susie – Testimonial
SCENE 1
Helenraps gavel: "This meeting is called to order. Secretary, do we have a quorum?”
Alice, walking in late: “Well, we would have if Carolwould stop running our members off…”
Carol: “I didn’t run them off! You were the one (to Alice) that told Susie that if she couldn’t make time to bake a homemade pie for our last event then she shouldn't bother being a member of our club. Not that it matters anyway, because I heard thather mother is Asian and she has 2 kids by a black man. We don't need people like that in this unit!”
Alice: “See, then it’s a good thing she didn’t come back. Besides, did you see what she wore to last month’s meeting? I mean really, I’d rather wear a potato sack than be caught in that. We would've had to revoke her membership anyway just so we wouldn’t have to be seen with her.”
MaryJan look at each other in surprise/disgustabout what's being said.
Helentimidly tries to interrupt: “Ladies…can we get back on topic….please…”
Carol, ignoring Helen: “Well, and then you know she doesn’t drink, right? She said she would love to hang out after a meeting and have a cup of coffee..…I told her the only way we would ever have coffee together was if it had Bailey’s in it!”
Alice: “She's pretty young, but I bet she’s a recovering alcoholic…that’s the only explanation I can think of…we better spread the word”
Jan: Alice, Carol -- please, we need to get back to the meeting!
Helen, boldly: Yes, please!
Carol, again ignoring Jan/Helen: "Don't you remember when Susie disagreed with my fundraising idea to raffle a goatfor our military families project and advertise with posters on church bulletin boards? She thought we should do a 5K run to raise money and use TV, radio and email blasts to advertise...and even suggested we create a website. How dare she! I have 20 years in this unit and she has only 3. She should know better than to cross me!
Mary: “Ladies…do you hear yourselves? It’s no wonder Susie hasn’t come back to a meeting. We should be appreciating each other, not putting each other down.
Jan: “Carol, how would you like it if someone started spreading rumors about you or said your ideas weren’t important? And Alice, does it really matter what somebody is wearing or her ethnicity? Every eligible member should be welcomed with open arms into our unit. “
Mary: “I think we should be seeking more diversity – not just in age and race, but also in opinions. If ideas come from the same old people, they get pretty stale. We need new ideas and new ways of solving problems if we hope to survive as a unit.
Jan: And have you noticed who is in the service these days? Our organization should mirror that diversity. But sadly, we don’t, and I think a lot has to do with our resistance to change and the way we treat each other.”
Helen, to CarolAlice: “Maryand Jan areright; our unit needs to get back on track with the “Service Not Self” attitude --promoting harmony, accepting change and those who are different from us, and be welcoming to members. All the arguing and gossiping that goes on here will only hurt us -- look how it has already affected our membership.”
Click to slide with"The Auxiliary's future depends on our ability to engage, communicate and develop positive relationships with diverse people."
Susie’s comments (off to side) while actors sit silently:
My mother isn't Asian, I'm not an alcoholic and my husband isn't African-American, but I do have 2 biracial children adopted when they were 2 days old. While I haven't felt rejected because of my children -- maybe because most people don't know -- I have gotten "the look."
When my daughter was 12 years old, she asked if she could come with me to a unit meeting. She wanted to see what it was all about. Although some attendees were very kind, she sensed that some didn't approve. Most telling was when she commented that, in a crowd of 50, she saw only one other person of color and asked why she should want to be part of such an organization.
She's grown into an intelligent, service-oriented young woman who has enjoyed going to the veteran's hospital. But she has no desire to go to a boring meeting and still questions why she should spend her limited free time participating with an organization that doesn't welcome diversity.
How do we change that?
Or insert another “testimonial”
back to skit
SCENE 2 - same meeting, same set
Mary: “Maybe we should get some diversity training and start up a Welcoming Committee. If we are able to gain new members by showing them how welcoming, inclusive and open we are, the more good we can do for our veterans, their families and our community!”
Alice, jumping up: "Why on earth would we want to do that? If they look or act different than me, we don't need them! Besides, I don't see anything in the Unit Handbook that says we have to do diversity training."
Jan: “Oh come on Alice. If we ever hope to increase our membership, we've got to promote understanding and break down prejudice. And we've got to start practicing the Golden Rule. God knows, the conflict and pettiness in this unit have driven away far too many members and it really impacts what we can do for veterans. Isn't that our real purpose for being here?"
Alice: "Really? That will just change things and we don't need change! So what if people don't want to join our club.... I mean, unit."
Jan, looking disapprovingly at Alice, "Yes, really! We need members to do the mission."
Helen: "You're exactly right, Jan. We've got to focus on the mission. We waste way too much time and energy on petty gossip and arguing -- time that would be better spent on delivering our mission. And we've got to empower all our members to make changes and to stand up to those few vocal members (looking at Aliceand Carol)who are negative and judgmental."
Jan, looking at all, "Ladies, we are the leaders of this unit and it is up to us to set a good example of how to respect and appreciate differences in each other. And we need all the help we can get with new ideas and new ways of solving problems."
Mary: "You know, I bet I could get a copy of the civility & diversity training module presented at my office. We could have a special unit meeting to review the 10 keys to civility and help our members understand the value of respecting diversity. I'd even be willing to do a presentation on conflict resolution."
Jan: Wow, Mary. I really like that idea. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get all our members on board with this new way of thinking and acting? And if we can get Susie to help set up a website, we could offer the training on-line for our members who can't or won't come to meetings. If we did that, I bet we could be nominated for the National President’s Service Not Self award!”
Carol, hanging her head: “Ok, maybe you guys are right. I really never gave Susie a fair chance. I should call her to see if she would like to grab a cup of coffee.”
Alice: Are you sure you really want to do that? Remember she ....."
Carol, interrupting Alice: Yes, Alice... Helen, Mary and Jan make some good points. Our unit is dying and if I ever want to be president of this unit, we've got to have members -- even those who have different ideas and look different than us.
Carol pauses. Alice shakes her head in opposition. Helen, MaryJan shake their heads approvingly.
Carol, continues: "I've just been thinking how disappointed my dad would be in how I've been acting. The reason I joined the Auxiliary was to honor his service and do the missionso ....I pledge to change. What about you, Alice?"
Alice, looking sheepish: "I guess you're right,Carol. Pauses as if thinking. You know what? Boastfully I'm going to step up and chair our new welcoming committee…because I am obviously the most welcoming member in this unit!”
Helen, Mary and Jan look at each other and roll their eyes Carol looks at them, smiling.
Helen: “Uhhhh…I think that’s a great idea Alice, although might I suggest that Mary co-chair the committee? You know, just so you have a little help…you don’t want to get overwhelmed.”
Alice: “Sure…I can teach Mary all I know about being a warm and welcoming member (whispers, away from Mary toward the audience)…you know, she can get a little petty…”
Mary, shaking her head: “Can we get back to the meeting now?”
Possible Questions for Discussion: Use flip chart to record answers.
- How many of you have negative members in your unit?
- What did members in this unit do to turn things around?
- What can you do to help settle an argument between members in your unit?
- What can you do to get members to focus on the mission rather than on personal vendettas?
- What other ideas do you have to:
- combat gossiping
- promote civility
- foster respect for diversity?
- Does your unit mirror those we serve?
- What can you do to ensure yours is a welcoming unit?
American Legion Auxiliary - Department of Wisconsin