The POD Network provides a number of affinity groups to support community development for members. Affinity groups provide a forum for individuals who share a common identity as members of a marginalized group.
The goals of POD Affinity Groups are to:
- Provide an opportunity for colleagues with a shared identity to connect, support one another, and share wisdom about navigating institutions as members of systematically marginalized groups
- Create spaces where members of marginalized groups feel safe being their authentic selves
- Lower barriers to organizing, powerbuilding, and advocating for change within the POD Network
Monthly Affinity Group Gathering days and times are listed below. By signing up for any of these groups, you will receive notifications of future gatherings. More groups will be added and advertised on a rolling basis.
Please register for all affinity groups via this link: https://forms.gle/g6kPB9dsGnHHKTwD6
Asian/Pacific Islander/Asian American/South Asian
Day/Time: The third Thursday of the month; 10 am Pacific/11 am Mountain/12 pm Central/1 pm Eastern
Convener(s): Heeyoung Kim & Heather Dwyer
Black/African/African American/Afro Caribbean
Day/Time: The second Friday of the month; 9 am Pacific/10 am Mountain/11 am Central/12 pm Eastern
Convener: Jamiella Brooks
BIPOC
Day/Time: The first Friday of the month; 8 am Pacific/9 am Mountain/10 am Central/11 am Eastern
Convener(s): Linda Hasunuma, Theresa Ronquillo, Tammy McCoy, Carol Hernandez, Tazin Daniels
Latinx/Latine/Hispanic/Latin American
Day/Time: Last Friday of the month; 11 am Pacific/12 pm Mountain/1 pm Central/2 pm Eastern
Convener: Amanda Valdespino (she/her)
2SLGBTQ+ Affinity Group
Day/Time: To Be Confirmed
Convener: George Tsz-Kwan Lam
Disabled Affinity Group
Day/Time: The second Thursday of the month; 9 am Pacific/10 am Mountain/11 am Central/12 pm Eastern
Convener(s): Convener/Leadership rotates every three months – primary contacts are Cait Kirby and Michael McCreary
Note: You may also directly register with the Disabled Affinity Group with this link, which is only seen by Disabled Affinity Group leadership.
Immigrant Group
Day/Time: currently determined monthly via members poll
Convener(s): Anna Santucci & Anastasia Williams