Affinity Groups
How to start one in your office and make it work
Definition: An affinity group is a group of people who share interests, issues, and a common bond or background, and offer support for each other. These groups can be formed between friends, or people from the same community, workplace or organization.
The following is taken from a presentation given by Annette Merritt Cummings, vice president, national director, Diversity Services, Bernard Hodes Group, Vicki Ho, vice president, global operations, GE Consumer Finance, and Charlene Virgilio, manager, global announcements, Americas and AP, IBM, at the Working Mother Best Companies for Women of Color Multicultural Conference in July 2004.
Annette Merritt Cummings on affinity group best practices
To build a successful affinity group, it helps to learn from others. If you're considering starting one in your organization or want to maximize the benefits to your organization, keep these best practices in mind:
- Make sure the mission is tied to the business purpose of your company or organization
- Get financial support from your organization
- Clearly communicate the goal of the group, and maintain strong ties and communications between all members
Employee Affinity Groups
On their website, GM, a best practices company, states that employee affinity groups can serve as a formal link between diverse employee groups and diversity management, human resources staff and senior management. These groups are formed around employee initiatives and are employee-driven.
Affinity groups can represent a narrow or broad definition of a dimension of diversity:
-African ancestry or Black employees
-Asian Indian
-Chinese
-Gay and Lesbian
-Hispanic or Latino
-People with Disabilities
-Mideast and Southeast Asian
-Veterans
-Women
In some corporations, groups that include men, virtual workers and new employees are also forming.
The value of employee affinity groups to organizations
- They enable organizations to communicate more effectively with all employees.
- They help build an external corporate reputation with diverse communities.
- They enhance marketing and outreach initiatives. These include external communications, such as public and community relations, and outreach to all stakeholders in the company.
- They serve as diversity ambassadors, both internally and externally, by initiating branded events and networking opportunities.
- They can make a difference in diversity recruitment and retention efforts. Affinity group leaders and members can provide referrals, and be featured in testimonials, and on diversity and career websites.
- They can mentor and improve career development programs for minorities and women.
Vicki Ho on how to form an affinity network
GE's affinity groups are volunteer, grassroots, self-help networks that help participants develop the skills they need to advance their careers at GE. Our groups include the African American Forum, GE Women's Network, Asian Pacific American Forum and Hispanic Forum.
At GE, we believe the following four steps are vital to the formation of an affinity group:
1. Develop your vision
Know who your stakeholders are and benchmark your stakeholders' interests by conducting internal surveys. Find out where your stakeholders' interests coincide.
2. Get buy-in from senior executive leadership
It's important to appoint one or two sponsors who report to the CEO. These sponsors will provide visibility for your affinity networks.
3. Appoint a national champion
This person should be senior enough to be able to marshal resources and get visibility for the group. Your champion will also rally other senior leaders to make things happen. You should also work to develop national, as well as local, organizations.
4. Develop a business plan
Your plan should include programs that cater to your constituents. In this stage, you should also be organizing and recruiting volunteers, as well as determining and executing a budget.
Charlene Virgilio on diversity at IBM
At IBM, we've created a number of Diversity Network Groups (DNG). These groups are employee organizations that promote internal networking, career development and community service. All of our DNGs have been initiated by employees and focus on a specific constituency.
Our DNG Goals
- Meeting and teaming
- Networking
- Mentoring and coaching
- Doing community outreach
- Planning and implementing social, cultural and educational events
- Developing professional skills
- Enhancing recruitment
- Sharing info
Ingredients for Success
- A corporate culture that supports and encourages diversity
- Executive sponsorship and commitment--this includes time and funding promises
- Committed diversity group leaders and members--these are the people who will make it all happen
- Internal and external returns
- Involvement with the community--this will ensure your company is seen as a good corporate citizen
- Personal commitments from employees
Subscribe to our feed