Affinity Groups at SGC

Affinity Groups at SGC

Sacred Garden Community (SGC) has created a space for members to foster a sense of belonging through its Affinity Groups. These groups provide a safe, respectful, and open platform for connecting with like-minded individuals who share similar experiences. As an organization that values inclusivity and radical acceptance, SGC has committed to creating spaces that allow members to embrace their unique identities.
What is an Affinity Group?

An affinity group is a group formed around a shared interest or common goal, to which individuals formally or informally belong. Some affinity groups are organized in a non-hierarchical manner, often using consensus decision making, and are frequently made up of trusted friends. 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.

Why create an Affinity Group?

There are many reasons to create your own Affinity Group within SGC:
- To participate in your community in a way that is most comfortable, rewarding, and best for you!
- To grow more culturally aligned spaces for being, journeying, integrating, networking
- To grow opportunities for mentorship with culturally aligned individuals
- To offer support and development of group members
- To promote inclusion and diversity within SGC
- To grow capacity for community service
- A well aligned Affinity Group considers how their work can benefit each group member, the entire group, and everyone in the community, even including those of other affinities
What rights and resources are afforded to Affinity Groups?
- To identify your group as an official group within Sacred Garden Community
- To be featured in our newsletter(s) and outreach materials
- To hold dedicated ceremonies and events for members of your Affinity Group
- To speak at SGC events
- To request volunteer and facilitation support for Affinity Group events
- To utilize SGC resources and membership to fundraise for the group and your community.
What does SGC ask of Affinity Groups in return?
- SGC requires that Affinity Groups refrain from commuinicating about illegal activites in any official SGC event or over any official SGC communication channel (services, events, newletters, etc.).
  - SGC asserts that engagment with the Sacraments of our Church is an exercise of our legally protected religious freedoms only when all of it's facilitation protocols are followed (in official SGC Ceremonies).
- SGC requires that the Affinity Groups engage with our ethical processes in the event that there is conflict that cannot be resolved within the group.
  - We strongly encourage all members to use resources like mediation and circle before engaging the Ethics Council.
- SGC asks each Affinity Group to run at least one fundraising event per year.
  - A 30% overhead cost will be requested by SGC, from gross revenue from Affinity Group fundraising events. Affinity Groups may keep the remaining revenue to use at their own discretion.
Note: SGC Affinity Groups are “AT WILL” meaning individuals may choose to leave a group any time, a group may choose to leave SGC, and a group may be asked and required to leave SGC at any time, with or without cause.
Application
Group Name*
What is the name of your affinity group?
Group Identity
What identity, culture, or interest is your Affinity group serving?
Group Description
Group Image

Please provide an image representing your group if you would like it listed at https://sacredgarden.life/affinity
Cancelof
Call to Action (a way to contact or join your group)
We recommend using Signal to communicate with your group (https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360051086971-Group-Link-or-QR-code)
Event(s) you would like added to https://sacredgarden.life/calendar
Include the description, location, cadence (if it's reoccurring) and any information people might want to know about your event before attending. We recommend starting small (no more than once a month).
Announcement(s) you would like sent out with our newsletter
Please provide the specific text you would like to see go out in the newsletter and consider including a call to action.
Responsible Parties
Organizer (Primary Contact)*

First NameLast Name
Organizer's Email*
example@example.com
Organizer's Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Sponsoring Facilitator*
SGC encourages all Affinity Groups to work with a Sponsoring Facilitator (that they trust). We anticipate that in many cases there may not be an Ordained Facilitator who share the group's affinity. Groups are under no obligation to invite the Sponsoring Facilitators to events. If your group feels like it has a compelling reason not to have a Sponsoring Facilitator, please talk to us.
Agreements
As the responsible party for organizing {groupName}

{organizerprimary} commit's to the following agreements by submitting this form:
- I will ensure that {groupName} refrains from commuinicating about illegal activites in any official SGC event or over any official SGC communication channel (services, events, newletters, etc.)
- I will facilitate {groupName}'s engagement with SGC's ethical systems if a problem arises that cannot be resolved by the group.
- I will do my best to ensure that {groupName} engages SGC as whole with Care, Respect and Trust
Should be Empty:

Affinity Groups at SGC

What is an Affinity Group?

Why create an Affinity Group?

What rights and resources are afforded to Affinity Groups?

What does SGC ask of Affinity Groups in return?

Application

Responsible Parties

Agreements