Having a group of people looking out for one another throughout actions or during a long and tiring campaign is an effective way to make sure everyone is cared for. Many actions can be pulled off effectively with just a few people. This also provides an element of uncertainty for the authorities.

Because affinity groups can make decisions autonomously, they can react quickly and creatively if the situation changes. 10 groups of 10 people taking direct action can often achieve more than 100 people acting on mass. EffectivenessĪffinity groups are able to make good use of resources. This is especially the case if you work at building up skills within your affinity group, so you can cover the needs of everyone in your group. Your affinity group may be part of wider campaigns and networks, but you often only need to depend on yourselves throughout an action. By working closely with a small group of people you can work out what's important for you, and then go out and make it happen. AutonomyĪll important decisions are made within the group even if you are participating with others in a larger action. This is not just an effective way of making sure people feel committed to the actions you’re taking, it’s also putting the values of equality and direct democracy into practice. The idea of affinity groups is that everyone participates equally in making decisions and taking action together. Why work in affinity groups? Participation and direct democracy This means that decisions are made directly within the group by all its members, and responsibility and power is shared so that everyone has an equal voice. action medics).Īffinity groups are often organised along the principles of non-hierarchy and autonomy. Some affinity groups may also be structured around something else you have in common, such as living in the same place, or sharing a particular skill (e.g. In general, people in an affinity group will be focused on taking action on the same issues, and share aims and tactics. The ‘affinity’ between people in the group is something that they have in common. Sometimes these groups are formed just for one action, but often they are ongoing groups that organise and take part in actions over a number of years.

They make decisions together, and support each other during and after action. These goals shall be accomplished through networking, advocacy, and engaging (educationally and socially) Latino members of the Brown community and others.An affinity group is a small group of people who come together to prepare for and take direct action. This affinity group is in the early stages of development and more information will be shared about how alumni can get involved with this community in the future.īULAC seeks to maximize the Brown experience for Latinos, to serve as a representative voice for Latino alumni and to assist in the unification of alumni efforts to further and support the interests of Brown University. In 2022, Eli Wolff ’00 and Jonathan Mooney ’00 proposed the creation of a disability/neurodiversity affinity group. The Brown Women’s Network was established in 2019 following up on the success of the 125 Years of Women at Brown celebration in 2017.Īffinity groups have hosted a wide range of events focused on celebrating community (Mercedes Domenech Retirement Celebration, hosted by BULAC), honoring generations past (Honoring Black Excellence of the 1950s, hosted by IPC) and addressing today’s complex challenges (Anti-Asian Violence and Racism Panel, hosted by A4).īrown alumni continue to lead the way in identifying and developing new affinity group communities in partnership with Office of Alumni Relations staff. The Brown University Latino Alumni Council (BULAC), the Asian/Asian American Alumni Alliance (A4), and the Native American Brown Alumni (NABA) were later founded to build connections and support within their respective Brown communities. In the early 2000s, affinity groups for alumni of color were established, beginning with the creation of the Inman Page Black Alumni Council (IPC) which originated with the efforts of several undergraduates working on an independent study project about Black alumni organizations in the Ivy League. Brown’s first alumni affinity group community was founded in the 1980s with the establishment of the Brown Gay and Lesbian Alumni group, now known as the Brown Alumni Pride Association (BAPA).

Affinity group