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Anaffinity group is a group formed around a shared interest or common goal, to which individuals formally or informally belong. Affinity groups are generally precluded from being under the aegis of any governmental agency, and their purposes must be primarily non-commercial. Examples of affinity groups includeprivate social clubs,fraternities, writing orreading circles, hobby clubs, and groups engaged in political activism.
Some affinity groups are organized in a non-hierarchical manner, often usingconsensus decision making, and are frequently made up of trustedfriends. They provide a method of organization that is flexible and decentralized. Other affinity groups may have a hierarchy to provide management of the group's long-term interests, or if the group is large enough to require the delegation of responsibilities to other members or staff.
Affinity groups can be based on a common social identity orideology (e.g.,anarchism,conservatism), a shared concern for a given issue (e.g.,anti-nuclear,anti-abortion), a common activity, role, interest or skill (e.g.,legal support, medical aid,software engineering), or shared personal identity (e.g.race/ethnicity,gender,disability,cultural interests). Affinity groups may have either open or closed membership, although the latter is far more common. Some charge membership dues or expect members to share the cost of the group's expenses.
Affinity groups in the workplace or as part of a professional association are composed of people who share similar backgrounds or interests. In the workplace, they are also referred to asEmployee Resource Groups (ERGs) that form a part of the organizationdiversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Employee affinity groups are historically race- and gender-based but now also include groups that recognize affinity in age, veteran status orsexual identity.[1] As part of aprofessional association, affinity group members engage in networking, mentoring, and opportunities for both professional and personal development.[2][3]
Affinity groups engaged in political activism date to 19th centurySpain. It was a favourite way of organization bySpanish anarchists (grupos de afinidad), and had their base in thetertulias or in the local groups.[4][better source needed]
Politically oriented affinity groups in the United States gained public attention during the anti-Vietnam War movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The term was first used byBen Morea and the groupBlack Mask. Later,anti-war activists on college campuses organized around their hobbies or backgrounds --religious,gender,ethnic group, etc. They became popular in the 1970s in theanti-nuclear movement in theUnited States andEurope. The 30,000 person occupation and blockade of the Ruhr nuclear power station in Germany in 1969 was organized on the affinity group model.[5][better source needed][6][better source needed] Today, the structure is used by many different activists:animal rights,environmental,anti-war, andanti-globalization, to name some examples.[citation needed]
The 1999protests in Seattle which shut down theWTO Ministerial Conference of 1999 included coordinated organization by many clusters of affinity groups.[7]
By definition, affinity groups areautonomous from any larger body. Co-ordinated effort and co-operation amongst several affinity groups, however, is often achieved by using a loose form ofconfederation. Private clubs, for example, may cooperate through reciprocal agreements which allow the members of one club to use the facilities of another club in a different location. Other affinity groups, such asRotarians orToastmasters, may be individual units that conform to shared standards so that one may participate in another group of the same name anywhere on earth without requiring the individual to reapply for a new membership.[citation needed]
Affinity groups tend to be loosely organized, however there are some formal roles or positions that commonly occur. A given affinity group may have all, some or none of these positions. They may be permanent or temporary and the group may opt to take turns in these roles, or assign one role to one person.[citation needed]
