Diversity & Social Justice Committee
The Diversity & Social Justice Committee champions diversity efforts in other committees and develop social justice resources for OWCA. The committee broadly understands social justice in the context of Jones & Walton (2018), where social justice is invested in advocating for and amplifying the “agency of oppressed people–those who are materially, socially, politically, and/or economically under-resourced” in ways that center “a collaborative, respectful approach that moves past description and exploration…to taking action to redress inequities” (p. 242). The committee recognizes the ambiguity and appropriation of the term “Social Justice” and seek to conduct specific, actionable work centering marginalized groups.
Accessibility Committee
The Accessibility Committee champions accessibility efforts in other committees and develops accessibility resources for OWCA.
Conference Committee
The Conference Committee plans and organizes OWCA’s virtual conferences. In 2021, the committee planned a conference from October 4-8. The committee wrote the call for proposals, reviewed proposals, and created the conference schedule. They helped host writing sessions to support people who were writing conference proposals or people who were creating their presentation materials. They also advised on the conference website and facilitated sessions during the conference.
Virtual Events Committee
The Virtual Events Committee (VEC) schedules and facilitates small virtual events for OWCA members and the wider writing center community, including quarterly webinars. The VEC schedules and hosts regular virtual events related to online writing center work. This work includes recruiting presenters, advertising and planning the events, providing technical support to attendees and presenters, providing accessible recordings and materials from events, and collaborating with other committees on various projects. The committee is dedicated to hosting events that can be attended as professional development for both writing center administrators and tutors.