Religion, Spirituality and Belief Network: Terms of Reference and Values

Membership

The Religion, Spirituality and Belief Staff Network is open to Doctoral Researchers and staff across Schools, Professional Services and Loughborough Students' Union who want to contribute to making Loughborough University an inclusive and equitable environment, regardless of their religion, spirituality, or belief. This includes individuals who work for a Loughborough University campus partner.

Purpose of the Network

Support

• We will provide a safe environment for staff with a religion, spirituality or belief to discuss issues pertaining to religion, spirituality and belief at Loughborough University and wider society.
• We will accept the validity of the individual accounts from staff who share their experiences.

Celebration of different religions, beliefs and spiritualities

• We will actively recognise the range of religions, beliefs and spiritualities across campus through social events.
• We will seek to learn from and share with one another about our different religions, beliefs and spiritualities, including the impact intersectionality has.

Advocacy and Education

• We will learn together about different religions, belief systems and spiritualities promoting dialogue between people of different religions, beliefs and spiritualities.
• We will increase awareness of different religions, belief systems and spiritualities represented at the University, recognising that within each there are diverse understandings and the role that intersectionality plays.
• We acknowledge the University Chaplaincy and will work together to advocate for members as appropriate.

Structure

Co-Chairs

The Co-chairs are elected by the membership every two years or when the co-chair leaves their role before the end of their two-year tenure. Where possible, the co-chairs should hold different faith or belief systems.

Co-Chair responsibilities:

• Direct the network’s purpose and strategy and advocate for the network at an institutional level.
• Lead the committee and ensure it functions properly to deliver the network’s purpose and strategy.
• Ensure the sustainability and suitability of the network’s activities.

Committee

The network will aim to recruit a diverse committee and encourages all minoritized/marginalised individuals to consider applying for the committee positions. We will endeavour to appoint a committee that provides representation for different religions, beliefs and spiritualities, ethnicities, race, dis/abilities, nationalities, age, and job families. The committee will aim to include:

• Operations lead
• Events lead
• Collaboration lead
• Communications lead

The committee will be appointed by the co-Chairs. Committee positions are appointed every two years or when a committee member leaves their role before the end of their two-year tenure. Ahead of each election, the committee will review the role portfolios and evaluate their effectiveness in meeting the networks purposes. Committee positions are advertised and open to all membership of the Religion, Spirituality and Belief Staff Network.

Conflicts of interest should be declared, and members may be asked to abstain from voting on specific matters where this risk cannot be managed.  The committee will report into university leadership through Executive Sponsors and into the EDI Operational Board via the ‘Network of Networks’.

Operations Lead

• Support the Co-Chairs in directing the network’s strategy and activities.
• Support the committee’s administration including meeting agendas and minutes.
• If established, manage the network Teams team and mailing lists.

 Events Lead

• Ensure the diversity of the network’s activities and to help identify opportunities for new initiatives.
• Act as the primary coordinator for network events.
• Act as key contact and support for organisation and execution of network events.

Collaborations Lead

• Advise on the inclusivity of the network’s activities and to help identify opportunities for new initiatives, alongside the Events Lead and Operations Lead.
• Recognise intersectionalities and to liaise with other staff networks where collaboration would be of benefit.

Communications lead

• Deliver a range of strategies for communicating with members and for attracting new members from the University community.
• Lead on the administration/content of the network’s website and social media, with input from other committee members.

Meetings

Agreeing on the frequency and format of meetings/events will be one of the initial steps for the committee, keeping in mind accessibility for all (including London campus colleagues).

Terms of Reference

• Represent individuals from different religions, beliefs and spiritualities. Religion means any religion and a reference to religion includes a reference to a lack of religion.
• Provide a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space where similarities and differences can be respectfully explored.
• Facilitate conversations around religions, beliefs and spiritualities represented across the university.
• Share what we have in common in the religion, spirituality and belief context within Loughborough University’s community.
• Recognise that people have differing views and to have zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment and bullying.
• Share beliefs generously but not proselytize.
• Advocate for making the University a better place for every member of the community, challenging discrimination and working with colleagues to find solutions.
• Work with stakeholders across the University including but not limited to University’s Chaplaincy, Religion and Belief Working Group, and EDI services for support, advocacy, and advice when needed.

Values

We acknowledge Loughborough University’s values, and our values reflect those of the University, with a particular emphasis on:

• We will have respect for others and their different understandings of religion, spirituality and belief. Every person’s understanding is valuable, even where we disagree. We know that no single person represents their religion, spirituality or belief.
• We will be open to receiving the wisdom of others, recognising we all have much to learn. We will foster a non-judgmental safe space to hear the experiences of others, maintaining confidentiality except where there are safeguarding concerns.
• We will pay attention to voices: acknowledging our prejudice, raising up marginalised groups, and being aware of how we use our own voice.

Reviewed academic year: 2024/25