Create speaker-diversity-policy.md

[kevchant]

Created initial speaker diversity document in the Docs folder

[rabryst]

Suggested change

	Due to the fact that we want our events to have a more diverse and inclusive range of speakers at events we recommend that you implement a speaker diversity policy and stick to it for your session selections. It is _optional_ but it will be appreciated in the community.
	Because we want our events to have a more diverse and inclusive range of speakers at events, we recommend that you implement a speaker diversity policy and stick to it for your session selections. It is _optional_ but it will be appreciated by the community.

[rabryst]

Suggested change

	It is a simple fact that there are many speakers now willing to offer up their time and knowledge within the Microsoft Data Platform Community. This is amazing and something to be welcomed.
	Many speakers are now willing to offer up their time and knowledge within the Microsoft Data Platform Community. This is amazing and something to be welcomed.

[rabryst]

Suggested change

	Examples of such actions are specific call-outs on social media, direct invitations to people, and other actions that we believe are appropriate. We also want to ensure that there is representation from less experienced speakers and we will take similar actions to encourage this.
	Examples of such actions are specific call-outs on social media, direct invitations to people, and other actions that we believe are appropriate. We also want to ensure that there is representation from less-experienced speakers and we will take similar actions to encourage this.

[rabryst]

Suggested change

	Put another way, we want to achieve a balance of experience and diversity across all of the talented speakers who participate at our event and we take steps to ensure that our session selections reflect this.
	Put another way, we want to achieve a balance of experience and diversity across all of the talented speakers who participate at our event, and we take steps to ensure that our session selections reflect this.

[rabryst]

Suggested change

	This can mean, that some amazing technical speakers will not get a chance to speak, because that slot is filled by another amazing speaker in the name of diversity, opportunity, and promotion of work-life balance and mental health.
	This means that some amazing technical speakers will not get a chance to speak, because that slot is filled by another amazing speaker in the name of diversity, opportunity, and promotion of work-life balance and mental health.

[kevchant]

Hi all, did anybody get around to reviewing this as it has been over a year now?

[SQLDBAWithABeard]

Hi all, did anybody get around to reviewing this as it has been over a year now?

Randolph reviewed it. The question is whether there has been enough variety of eyes onto it for inclusion.

@kevchant - Do you think that enough people have looked at it and that it represents the views of all of the people?

There is no reason for it not to be included, I am just cautious to ensure that it covers all folks and is acceptable to all groups.

[kevchant]

We've used a similar policy as part of DataWeekender for quite some time now. However, if it makes you feel more comfortable feel free to check it with somebody who is known to promote diversity.

For example, somebody established at Microsoft who promotes diversity or somebody else who has taken part in diversity discussions at conferences (Deepthi Goguri, Shabnam Watson or DeNisha Malone to name a few).

[SQLDBAWithABeard]

Thanks Kev, I am totally happy for you to get in touch with any of those people and ask for a review.
Not doubting anything that DataWeekender has done
I just think it should have more agreement than a bunch of old white dudes ;-)

[kevchant]

Thanks @SQLDBAWithABeard, absolutely agree.

I can get fellow DataWeekender organizer Pragati Jain to have a look for an alternative review, but to be honest it might be better if one of the admins for the Data Saturdays site reaches out to a few diverse members of the community instead.