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We know what you’re probably thinking right now after reading this headline… another meeting? You may have just sat through a meeting that could have been an email, just recently been assigned to a required committee, or even been selected for a task force that drains your energy. Affinity groups are not that. These groups are a collective of people coming together to network, support each other, and share experiences to enhance their personal and professional growth. If it’s done right, the benefits of an affinity group are truly worth the time spent. Rather than draining you, these connections will energize you and hopefully enhance your professional experience. Higher education is a place for innovation, creativity, and community, so why do we struggle to find ways to support our leaders? By utilizing affinity groups, YOU control the focus and direction of a group, as well as the outcomes you desire, to ensure the meetings are productive and beneficial.
As a senior leader, you need to find your people. It is important to build a network of support that recharges and supports you when you need it most, but where do you start? Here are some ideas to start pulling this group together…
Define the Purpose (Why Pull Together an Affinity Group?)
Do you want to brainstorm with others on ways to improve student outcomes? Maybe you want to discuss challenges you are experiencing and talk to someone who can provide guidance on the best path forward? Do you just want to stop feeling like you are reinventing the wheel every time you need a new form? After all, it probably exists elsewhere. Do you simply want to connect with others who may understand the complexities of this profession and the challenges you face on a day-to-day basis? These are just a few reasons why affinity groups can be of value.
Your purpose for forming an affinity group can be ANY reason. Your focus and purpose do not have to revolutionize higher education, although it may. However, your purpose does need to be clear. Why? Why can’t you just get some folks together and see how it goes? I mean, you could, but we have all been a part of those groups, and we usually dread those meetings. The bottom line is: if you are busy, it is more likely than not that everyone you invite is already busy too. Before those invitees add one more meeting to their calendar, they want to know what they are signing up for (especially since this is a voluntary group).
Can your purpose shift? Sure it can! However, the shifts in the purpose and focus will likely become obvious as your affinity group evolves.
Create Structure (Without an Organizational Chart)
If you are looking to implement an affinity group, you may need to take the lead, initially anyway. Reach out to folks you think may be a fit for your group, starting with their role/job duties. Then, let them know the purpose and a general idea of what to expect if they choose to participate.
As you think about meeting structure, consider the following:
- Establish cadence and modality.
- Build in time for levity to build connection.
- Solicit agenda items from group members. (Agenda should be driven from the group to ensure conversations are meaningful.)
- Rotate leads so everyone feels ownership in this group. (You may want to include this in your initial invite.)
Just as your purpose may evolve, so can your structure. One affinity group within the Maine Community College System began with a simple in-person meeting but soon expanded to include arriving the afternoon before, touring the host campus, going out to dinner, and engaging in competitive activities. Made up of student services professionals, the group embraces friendly competition — complete with trophies — as a fun way to strengthen relationships. The following day, the meeting is structured with an agenda developed by the group.
Find Your People (Hint: They Might Be Closer Than You Think)
In community colleges, members of executive leadership teams often wear multiple hats at once. You might not find folks who have the exact title or job description as you. That is why it’s so important to be intentional about who you’re inviting into the conversation.
Think broadly. You need folks who:
- Contribute diverse perspectives
- Challenge the norms by asking the tough questions (i.e “Why do we do it that way?”)
- Approach challenges with curiosity, not ego
If you are part of a system, maybe it makes sense to reach out to those in similar roles at the various colleges. Not a part of a system? No problem. Look for people at colleges within your state or region with a similar role to discuss your jobs, challenges, and/or innovative ideas. Regardless of the type of institution, many leaders are facing similar challenges, such as budgets, enrollment, academic freedom, and student success. Affinity groups offer an opportunity for shared resources and conversations about best practices.
These collaborative groups can provide a broader awareness of other schools and their culture, as well as enhance professional relationships with the group. You may find the comfort to confide and discuss situations and brainstorm solutions with folks who are not in direct competition with your institution. Overall, the connections built through affinity groups can enhance well-being and become a source of empowerment for members.
Get Started (Attend Meetings — Physically and Mentally)
With so many responsibilities and back-to-back meetings, committing to being an active member of a group can be tough, but if you truly ‘show up,’ you will experience the benefits of this type of group.
With engagement, the group will gain momentum. Trust builds. Conversations get honest. Eventually, we believe, you will find yourself texting someone saying, “Hey, I think we can do this” with excitement and optimism.
The reality is that many colleges don’t have endless streams of money, so these groups can help you innovate without a budget line, or a large one anyway. You may be able to rethink a workflow to streamline the student experience, partner with another college to share limited resources, help people avoid the pitfalls you faced when you implemented a similar initiative at your college, but to be successful, you all need to show up and engage.
Evaluate and Adapt (If Need Be)
Set aside time every few months to ask:
- Is the purpose still relevant?
- Is anyone feeling left out or overwhelmed?
If you are like us, you always need snacks, but if your meetings are on Zoom maybe it is a BYOS situation. However, the other questions matter, and you want to ensure that when you start this reflection process that your group knows they can be honest, and the goal is to keep get-togethers meaningful.
Remember, small teams with smaller budgets and a lot of passion can make things happen.
Invest time and energy into building relationships that last and develop a professional group of colleagues who will help you become the best leader you can be and support you in your career.
Find your people. Make time to meet. Feel supported and watch those connections shift your professional experience.
If you’re interested in becoming part of an affinity group, please fill out this form. We’ll review all the responses, divide professionals into groups, and make initial introductions for you in July!
