Affinity Resource Group Overview

Affinity Resource Groups (ARGs) support current faculty and staff in actively and intentionally cultivating an inclusive community and culture at Wake Forest University. The collective goals of ARGs are to:

• Serve as catalyst for change who provide diverse representation and experiential knowledge, facilitate dialogue, and represent the experiences of underrepresented communities to support the mission of the institution
• Provide professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities
• Offer social and community engagement via programming and volunteerism
• Collaborate across ARGs and campus stakeholders to act as thought partners, harness knowledge, and share resources to foster intersectional awareness 
• Contribute inclusive faculty and staff recruitment and retention efforts
• Partner with and support opportunities (e.g., academic departments or Campus Life offices) that enhance students’ lives

The Wake Forest University Office of Diversity and Inclusion has approved ARGs that can form under any one of the following identities/backgrounds: 

• Race/Ethnicity 
• LGBTQ+ 
• Gender 
• Veteran Status 
• Disability Communities 

• Religion/Faith/Spirituality 
• Generational (i.e., millennials, young professionals, etc.) 

As of 2024, WFU ARGs coalesce around protected classes as defined by the university’s Non-Discrimination Statement. While all the groups (current or future) will be referred to collectively as Wake Forest ARGs, each group can maintain a name in accordance with the dimension of diversity it represents. Wake Forest University ARGs – as recognized and supported by the ODI and HR – cannot be formed around common interests or activities such as sports/hobbies, politics and other beliefs that do not align with or are outside the scope of the strategic vision of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. 

For example, the following would not be considered a Wake Forest University ARG: Biking or Exercising Group, Healthy Living Clubs, Investment Groups, or Book Clubs. Though these groups/clubs can support the morale or productivity of employees, they should be considered as interest groups and not ARGs. Questions should be directed to the Wake Forest University Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

All Wake Forest University ARGs convene to form an ARG Council.  The ARG Council is convened by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and comprised of:

• Office of Diversity and Inclusion staff
• Human Resources Staff
• 2 representatives from each ARG (e.g. Chair and Vice-Chair)

The ARG Council is responsible for:

• Reviewing and providing feedback on new ARG proposals 
• Sharing and discussing group and institutional updates and considerations related to affinity communities 
• Identifying collaborative opportunities across ARGs
• Identifying and discussing meaningful engagement of ARGs in support of the institutional mission 

The ARG Council will convene at least once per semester.

All participation in formal and informal ARG activities are voluntary, and therefore optional. 

Group participation must be open to all – including allies who support the mission of the ARG.

Employees who take part in any leadership role of a WFU ARG (such as Chair, Vice Chair, or Secretary) must have supervisor approval to hold a leadership role since there is a commitment expectation to deliver on WFU ARG goals during work hours. Similarly, employees who take part in WFU ARGs as a participant (non-leadership role) must have supervisor approval.

University-approved ARGs will participate in the Affinity Resource Group Council (ARGC).  

In order to remain a University-approved ARG, ARGs must:

• Submit for yearly renewal, an operational plan that details goals for the year, how these will be achieved, and the benefit these actions will bring to the University
• Participate in annual Fall and Spring Affinity Experiences
• Participate in 1-2 ARG Council meetings per semester, represented by the group liaison(s)
• Submit an annual report which includes a detailed description of the ARG’s activities and events from the past year and how they affirmed the group’s values.
• Hold 2 meetings or gatherings per semester

Required Positions: Executive Champion – A Cabinet-level champion who visibly promotes ARG programs and initiatives, explores funding, resource, and collaborative options, and provides mentoring and development to ARG membership. 2 Institutional Liaisons – the top 2 leadership roles within each group. *Each group can choose their leadership structure.  Below are options for each group to consider, or groups can create a structure that best serves their function and stage of development. Institutional Liaison Expectations:  -Participate in ARG orientation and in periodic cross-ARG meetings and events -Dedicate (additional) time and effort to ensure the success of the ARG -Be in good standing with their manager- cannot be on any type of improvement plan, and cannot have received any disciplinary action within one year of assuming and/or holding a leadership role -Have manager permission to participate in a leadership role in the ARG -Include ARG leadership responsibilities in their annual performance and development goals, university service

Optional Positions: Chair – Ensures that the goals of the ARG are carried out effectively; Presides over ARG meetings and serves as the official liaison between the ARG and ODI/HR. The Chair appoints all leaders of special committees with the approval of the membership. The Chair also represents their specific ARG at public meetings and events, university programs, and other authorized occasions. The Chairship should rotate. Vice Chair – The Vice Chair supports the Chair in presiding over ARG meetings and serves as a representative between the ARG and ODI/HR in the absence of the Chair. The Vice Chair is responsible for the collection and distribution of all monies as well as keeping accurate financial accounting of all ARG monies and resources. The Vice Chair also assumes the duties of the Secretary in their absence. Secretary – The Secretary keeps record of the ARG actions, maintains, and distributes minutes for each meeting with the membership. The Secretary is also responsible for handling, receiving, and retaining any administrative paperwork between the ARG and ODI, including both formal and informal correspondence. Staff and Faculty Liaisons – The staff/faculty liaisons collaborate on the strategic planning of the ARG’s annual business plan and annual report, represent the general ARG membership Committee Chairs – Depending upon interest and group activities, Committee Chairs can lead programming and advocacy initiatives (e.g. Social, Education, etc.)

Additionally, ODI and HR reserve the right to:

• Assign an employee to a Leadership Team or committee lead position of any ARG should there be opportunities identified for employee leadership development. In said cases, ODI shall inform the ARG Leadership Team prior to any appointments.

Expect ARGs participants, including leaders, to follow University policies while serving on ARGs.  Service on ARGs is not an entitlement and participants and leaders may be removed from an ARG at any time for any reason, consistent with applicable University policy.

Operating guidelines of ARGs are approved by ODI and should include: 

• The meeting times, dates, and frequency of meetings (note that each ARG must meet at least 2 times per semester)
• A description of the events and initiatives they wish to support and plan (i.e. the operational plan referenced as a requirement for each group)
• Incorporation of bylaws which can be shaped by the group’s wishes, goals, and values, subject to approval of ODI.

• Website presence and management from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Limited communications support for recruitment, retention, and ongoing engagement (e.g. institutional level)
• Organizational email address (@wfu.edu)
• Opportunities for engagement with senior institutional leadership
• Limited annual fiscal support  
• Coordination and facilitation for up to 2 Council meetings per semester 
• Coordination of a Fall and a Spring Affinity Experience

Interested in maintaining your ARG? Below are the recommended steps:

Ongoing	Continue to revisit the ARG’s vision, goals, objectives, structure, etc.
Ongoing	Consult with ODI and HR on your initial plan or ideas (optional but encouraged)
January 1 – March 1	Submit ARG Renewal application
May 1	Submit Progress Report

In order for a group to be a formal Affinity Resource Group, the group must:

• Focus must reflect protected classes as defined by the university’s Non-Discrimination Statement.
• Have at least 3 members and plan to convene as a group at least twice per semester
• Commit to maintenance guidelines (see below) including active engagement in the ARG Council
• Submit a set of bylaws and value statements (form fields) that align with the University’s DEI mission
  • Bylaws should include:
    • Official name
    • Protected class focus (as defined by the university’s Non-Discrimination Statement.)
    • Membership criteria (e.g. # of meetings members should attend, etc.)
    • Election and nomination process (e.g. timeframe and terms)
    • Meeting information (e.g. frequency, attendance, etc.)
    • Commitment to actively engage in community building, advocacy and at least 1 other aspect of the ARG collective goals 
    • Propose a distinct leadership structures with roles and responsibilities, and terms of rotation; includes 1-2 roles that serve as institutional liaisons (see responsibilities of institutional liaisons below)
    • Inclusion of the following statement in the bylaws: “University employees are eligible to participate in ARGs.  Individuals will not be excluded from participation in an ARG based on protected status consistent with the University’s Non-Discrimination Statement.”
• Develop an operational plan that details goals for the year, how these will be achieved, and the benefit these actions will bring to the University
• Submit necessary materials (application, bylaws, operational plan) HERE, to be reviewed by the ARG Council and approved by ODI and Human Resources.
• Convene as a group at least 2x p/semester

Interested in forming an ARG? Below are the recommended steps:

January 1 – ongoing	Start gathering with other potential members to discuss vision, goals, objectives, structure, etc.
April – ongoing	Consult with ODI and HR on your initial plan or ideas (optional but encouraged)
January 1 – March 1	Submit application
Before February 1	Option to have specific questions answered before applications are due by emailing Malika Roman Isler (romanimd@wfu.edu) and Eliese Ashline (ashline@wfu.edu). Questions will be reviewed and sent back to you before application due date of March 1.
April	Notifications sent from ODI/HR