You may have heard the term “affinity group” used in recent years, both within your organization and here at ITE. First used in 1915, an affinity group is “a group of people having a common interest or goal or acting together for a specific purpose (as for a chartered tour).”
Although the most common affinity groups are based on racial identity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, newer groups are being established that promote disability rights, social and environmental justice, volunteerism, and allyship. Here are some benefits to establishing affinity groups within an organization:
- Foster a culture of belonging: Members want to feel comfortable bringing and expressing their whole self to the organization, which will promote engagement and allow them to create the space to do so.
- Gain diverse perspectives: Members want to know their organization cares about who they are and is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Invite discussion and networking: These groups can identify discussion topics and provide opportunities for cross-group networking, which can strengthen DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives and offer space for collaboration and innovation across teams.
During the 2023 Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, there will once again be informal affinity group meet-ups. When you register, make sure to share your interest in getting together with an affinity group and we’ll follow up close to the meeting. Additionally, the D&I Committee will be hosting a workshop on Sunday afternoon to discuss, share information, and provide an opportunity for member and audience feedback on ideas and guidance to further Inclusion in ITE events at all levels. The workshop will:
- Inform the audience on ITE's existing policies and guidance on inclusion;
- Conduct interactive sessions to seek feedback on existing barriers that may prevent people from attending ITE events
- Discuss how Inclusion could be integrated into leadership decisions, nomination processes, scheduling events and conferences, etc.
- Strategize on how this information should be communicated to ITE membership and leadership.
The feedback received from this workshop will inform ITE's D&I Committee's work plan on Inclusion in the future. We hope you will join us in Portland!
Do you have examples of how your District, Section, or Chapter, employer, or other organization supports or engages with affinity groups? Share them on the ITE D&I Community. We welcome your thoughts, ideas, and engagement around this essential topic, so join in the conversation!
Beverly Kuhn
Chair, ITE Diversity & Inclusion Committee