Community Collective Interest

Our Community Collectives are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive community within AFA. Committed to the growth and well-being of our members, our Community Collectives aim to provide a platform for collaboration, networking, and professional development tailored specifically to center various salient identities of our members.

Community Collectives have the opportunity to host regular virtual connections and other ways of convening for their members. These gatherings help welcome professionals of a shared identity and their allies into the association, while also offering navigational support to help retain them in the field. Current AFA Community Collectives are the Latinx/a/o Professionals Community Collective, Professionals across the Black Diaspora Community Collective, and the Solo Professional Operations Community Collective.

If you are interested in seeing and supporting a space for members who share a common identity, you’re invited to share that with AFA using the form below! To expand Community Collectives in a deliberate way, AFA will review and help to establish a selection of Community Collectives based on alignment with the mission, vision, and strategic pillars of the association and with a demonstrated level of interest and salience to the association membership. AFA Community Collectives receive the following operational support from the association:

• Community Collective coordinators lead the organization and engagement of their collectives and are formally recognized within AFA’s volunteer structure; they receive support and guidance from Central Office staff, along with access to on-demand training modules.
• Members can opt in to Community Collectives through the annual membership renewal process, with coordinators receiving access to a list of members who have opted into their respective collectives.
• Dedicated online community forum space on AFA’s Discord server.
• Support for coordinating in-person gathering time during the Annual Meeting.
• Quarterly check-ins for all coordinators to share successes and exchange ideas for fostering positive communities.

Elements of Submitting AFA Community Collective Interest

1. Name and Focus of the Collective: A proposed name and a brief description of the shared identity or experience the group centers on.
2. Purpose Statement: A clear explanation of the group’s goals and how it will support AFA’s mission and values.
3. Potential Coordinators: Recommendations of current AFA members who are willing to serve as co-coordinators for the potential collective. Official coordinator placements will be made in partnership with the AFA Central Office Staff.
4. Confirmation of Understanding and Adherence to Community Collective Guidelines (listed below)

Guidelines for Community Collective Operations

• AFA Community Collectives are open to members of the association. Coordinators are expected to use the provided member listing to ensure AFA members who have opted into the collective are receiving information about online and/or in-person convenings.
• Community Collective coordinators must be:
  • Active members of the Association;
  • Committed to the continued success of the professionals in the collective;
  • Able to serve in a coordinating and convening capacity for the collective;
  • Able to connect with AFA staff on a consistent basis to discuss collective priorities and initiatives;
  • Able to devote approximately 1-2 hours per week to assisting the forward advancement of the collective’s goals, with the understanding that the time requirement will vary based on community size and how the collective evolves.
• Online and/or in-person Community Collective gatherings are expected to follow the below expectations:
  • Treat Everyone with Respect: Approach all interactions with kindness, empathy, and professionalism. Personal attacks, discrimination, or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
  • Promote an Inclusive Environment: Create space for diverse voices and experiences. Be mindful of accessibility, language, and cultural differences. Everyone should feel seen, heard, and valued.
  • Engage in Constructive and Helpful Discourse: Share ideas thoughtfully and listen actively. Disagreements should be approached with curiosity and care, not hostility.
  • Honor Confidentiality and Privacy: Respect the privacy of others and do not share personal stories, identities, or experiences outside the group without consent.
  • Uphold AFA’s Mission and Values: Ensure that conversations and activities align with the broader mission of AFA to elevate the standard of fraternity/sorority professional practice and foster a sense of belonging and growth.
  • Report Harmful Behavior: If you witness or experience behavior that violates these expectations, report it to the designated Community Collective coordinators or AFA Central Office Staff.