Affinity Groups

A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee Initiative

We all benefit from interactions with people who share common identities or experiences. An affinity group is a designated "safe space" where people with a shared identity or experience - based on race, gender, sexual orientation, language, nationality, physical/mental ability, socio-economic class, family structure, religion, etc. - voluntarily come together. Affinity groups can increase connectedness, reduce isolation, and help create a diverse and socially just world.

Faculty and Staff Affinity Groups

Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Employee Association

Contact: Mai Le

Goals:

• Create a space for APIA employees to support one another.
• Promote celebrations such as Lunar New Year and API Heritage Month.
• Increase awareness of APIA issues and concerns.

Meetings: 3^rd Wednesdays of the Month (12pm-1pm) - Join via Zoom | 96632510133

Black Faculty and Staff Association

Contact: Leighia Fleming | Araba Mensah

Goals:

• To create a space for Black/African- American staff and faculty to connect with one another.
• In this space staff and faculty can share experiences, and resources, and encourage one another.

Meetings: 1^st Fridays of the Month (12pm-1pm) - Join via Zoom | 97271640264

Aspiro Affinity Group

Contact: Marilyn Brock | Javier Alcala

Goals:

• To create a space for Hispanic/LatinX employees to share experience/resources and encourage LatinX students' success.

Meetings: 4^th Thursdays of the Month (11am-12pm) - Join via Zoom | 88115852305 (passcode: 333358)

Working Mothers 

Contact: Araba Mensah | Laurie Runk

Goals: 

• To offer support and encouragement to the Coastline faculty, staff, and managers that are working mothers. 
• To share the joys and challenges that working mothers experience as they juggle a career, a family, and personal obligations. 

Meetings: 2^nd Fridays of the Month (1pm-2pm) - Join via Zoom | 82295669098

How to Set Up an Affinity Group

1. Set a Clear Goal

   Any successful organization is centered on a clear goal that unites its members. Maybe your goal is to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ employees to talk freely about their experiences. Perhaps you want to start a group for employees with children who can share experiences with hectic school schedules. A clear and defined goal will help you build your group's structure, decide who should join, and determine your function within the workplace. Example: To create a space for Latinx employees to share experience/resources and encourage Latinx students' success.

2. Identify Members

   Who might be interested in joining your group? Are there people you already know that are on board with helping and taking part? You will want to identify at least one other staff/faculty. Potential members from Orange Coast College and Golden West College will be accepted.

3. Structure meetings
   • When will you be meeting? Monthly? Biweekly? Other time frames?
   • Will they be roundtable discussions, or will you follow a more formal meeting structure?
   • What roles will members play? Are there leadership roles? If yes, what are the initial thoughts for these roles?
   • Outline what participation in the affinity group may look like for participants.
4. Create and Register Your Group

   Once you have identified members, set goals, meeting schedules, and roles, submit them to the DEI committee through our registration form. The DEI committee will provide this information on the Coastline DEI webpage for other staff/faculty to join these affinity groups.

While these are the recommended steps for creating an affinity group, we encourage that these groups be as organic and dynamic as needed by the members. Like any activity, participation should not affect performing job functions or responsibilities. For examples of affinity groups, here are a few from UC Irvine.

DEI Committee Commitment

Ultimately, the DEI committee will encourage the creation, outreach, and development of these groups.

DEI will:

• Post on our webpage the established affinity groups, contact information, and meeting times.
• Host collaborative efforts and events for different affinity groups.
• Host Dialogues that affect multiple affinity groups.
• Provide potential student equity funding throughout the year for different affinity groups to work together.

If you have any questions, please email Carlos Amescua or Erin Johnson.