Employee Link Groups (Affinity Groups) are voluntary, employee-led communities that bring faculty and staff together through shared interests and activities.
These groups build relationships across departments, encourage personal growth, and encourage a sense of belonging at GRCC.
Examples include book clubs, walking or crafting groups, sustainability projects, volunteer activities or other hobbies.
Who Can Participate?
All GRCC employees can participate. There are no restrictions based on department, job title or protected characteristics.
Guidelines
Link Groups are:
- Open to all faculty and staff.
- Inclusive, respectful and non-commercial.
- Centered on shared interests, not protected characteristics.
- Led by a Group Champion with support from a Campus Sponsor
Group Leadership
Although the People, Culture and Equity team helps to administer the program as a whole, these groups are fully led by employee champions who have specific interest in these groups and building connections.
How to Start a Group
- Proposal: Share your idea for a group.
- Approval: HR and People, Culture and Equity will review to ensure groups are inclusive, open to all, and aligned with GRCC’s mission.
- Launch: Approved groups can start being promoted campus-wide!
If you’re interested in starting an Employee Link Group, please contact talent_development@grcc.edu.
Link Up with One of Our Current Groups
Native Planting
Led by Monica Bliss, monicabliss@grcc.edu
This group will bring together employees who share an interest in native plants, pollinator-friendly and bird-friendly gardening, and the removal of invasive species.
Members can exchange knowledge and seeds, discuss propagation and restoration strategies, and collaborate on projects that promote biodiversity and environmental stewardship on campus and in our community.
GRCC Birding
Led by Shawn White, shawnwhite1@grcc.edu
Connect with fellow GRCC employees who share a passion for birds and the natural world.
This group brings together birdwatchers of all levels to explore local habitats, share birding tips and enjoy casual hikes focused on spotting and learning about native species. Members also support conservation efforts that help protect bird populations and their environments.
Otterly Delicious
Led by Robin Graves, robingraves@grcc.edu
The purpose of this group is to create a community for employees to share their love of food and cooking. We will exchange tried-and-true recipes, meal-prep strategies, and time-saving kitchen hacks. By sharing the stories and traditions behind our favorite dishes, we aim to provide a low-pressure space for colleagues to connect over a shared interest that impacts everyone’s daily life.
Human Imagining
Led by Lauren Woolsey, laurenwoolsey@grcc.edu
This group will bring together members across the GRCC community who are interested in the continued exercise of their imaginations through reading and discussion of speculative fiction, science fiction, nonfiction essays, zines, poetry and more.
Group members will vote together on each month's reading selections and collectively imagine ways toward a more humane human society. We will meet for social discussion and reflection on our selected readings. Folks are welcome to join sporadically as time and interest allows, or to participate regularly and brainstorm ideas for future meetings. Imagine all that we can learn from authors, essayists, activists, and most importantly, each other!