Gender neutrality training and communications

Hi everyone!

We've working to improve our gender neutrality measures in usher training and we're considering the impact of adopting this institutionally across communication mediums.

From reading what the Tessi community already discussed in forums about this topic, seems like the consensus (from users who chimed in) is:

1. Collecting gender info in Constituent Records (individual) is valuable to marketing/devo/customer service. Gendered associations (brother vs sibling) is not that valuable. 
2. That said, it’s better to ask how a constituent would like to be addressed (when possible), than assume a constituent’s prefix or gender
3. A few organizations are starting to move away from formal greetings and never assume/appoint a prefix or gender to a constituent unless the info is volunteered

Great info, though we could still use some guidance from anyone else in the network that has already done this.  Few questions:

• What training (if any) does your frontline staff receive on gender neutrality in communicating w/ patrons?
• In creating constituent records, has your institution implemented processes or features that are gender inclusive or neutral? E.g. Prefix options (Mx); informal greetings (dear Jane vs dear Ms. Doe); Leaving gender blank in records unless the info is volunteered.
• Have you observed any concerns from your patrons since adopting gender neutral communication procedures?

 Thanks for any info or thoughts!

[edited by: Georgina Richardson at 11:19 AM (GMT -6) on 13 Jul 2017]