Call for Applications to Join or Create an AASP Affinity Group + Become an Affinity Group Facilitator

Apply to Join an AASP Affinity Group

The Advocacy Committee is accepting applications for membership in Affinity Groups (AGs). The AG Initiative was developed to intentionally create space for members with shared identities and roles to build community and articulate, promote, and support their experiences, needs, commitments, and/or responsibilities, especially those related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

AASP is positioned to provide continued leadership and support to members in their own healing and action to end oppression. We feel that gathering in spaces around shared identities and roles allows members to engage in conversation while providing mutual support that empowers individual and collective progress.

There are two current Affinity Groups:

Black Professionals in Sport and Performance Psychology
- Co-Facilitators: Brittany Collins (brittany@developingmellc.com) & Aaron Goodson (DrATGoodson@gmail.com)
- The Black Professionals in Sport & Performance Psychology Affinity Group is a network of Black professionals in sport and performance psychology who meet annually at the AASP Conference and connect monthly via Zoom through their Facebook group.
- The group's primary goals are to be a voice and support system for all members by sharing advice, experiences, and resources related to the Black experience in SPP and navigating the profession.
Students Engaged in Social Justice Activism and Research
- Co-Facilitators: Cherokee Washington (cherokee.cierra.washington@gmail.com) & Deyja Enriquez (deyja@bu.edu)
- The Students Engaged in Social Justice Activism and Research Affinity Group is a place for undergraduate and graduate students to share, discuss, and collaborate with other students interested in exploring topics related to social justice and activism, as well as engaging in social justice activism. They provide a space for students to support one another, build a space to process, and bring in professionals, panelists, and mentors for student activists. Additionally, they aim to address intersectional disparities, issues, and concepts across the “isms” related to sport psychology, kinesiology, and physical education contexts to push these fields towards true inclusivity and safety for all members.

Applications for all Affinity Groups are due May 31, 2024, by midnight (PST).
Please submit all application materials in a single PDF via the following link: https://forms.gle/xr9iXTjBVDdvt4SW9

Application Materials & Criteria

A brief statement on how the individual relates to the core identities and/or interests outlined in the AG description
Confirmation of current AASP membership

Apply to Become an Affinity Group Facilitator

The Advocacy Committee is accepting applications to create new Affinity Groups (AGs). Gathering in spaces around shared identities, roles, and commitments allows members to engage in conversation and provide mutual support that empowers them to make individual and collective progress.

AGs intentionally build spaces to raise and navigate personal and professional challenges and concerns regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice. The affinity groups play a vital role in articulating, promoting, and supporting the continued experiences, needs, commitments, and/or responsibilities of AASP members.

Applications are due May 31, 2024, by midnight (PST).
Please submit all application materials in a single PDF via the following link: https://forms.gle/LnEjjDZL32aEqZkC7

Application Materials & Criteria

A statement letter highlighting interest in leading an Affinity Group
A CV/resume that details your background and training
A brief description of and rationale for the Affinity Group you want to create & (co)facilitate
Confirmation of current AASP membership

If you have an interest in creating and/or (co)facilitating an AG please apply by April 30, 2024. Please direct any general questions about affinity groups to Deyja Enriquez, Advocacy Committee Leadership Council Member, at deyja@bu.edu.

FAQs for the Affinity Group Initiative

What is the objective of Affinity Groups?
AGs will engage AASP members in personal work and provide a socio-emotional and professional space for members to process and grow with others within one’s cultural/social group(s) and role(s).

What are possible examples of Affinity Groups?
AGs provide an environment for members of cultural/social groups with specific roles to work with others who possess the same core identities, roles and/or commitments. Core identities are self-claimed social identities that are a part of a person’s sense of self. Examples of core identities include sex, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality, ability, and religion. Roles that we inhabit may also be part of our sense of self. They may be personal (e.g., mother) or professional (e.g., college sport psychologist).

Neither our identities nor our roles are experienced in isolation. Consequently, a group may gather around a single identity, or a group may share multiple core identities and roles. Applications most aligned with diversity, inclusion, advocacy and membership needs may take precedence in being accepted over others. In accordance with values of inclusion, AGs will be developed by members rather than the organization naming or pre-determining AGs.

Who is eligible to create an Affinity Group or become and Affinity Group Facilitator?
AGs may be formed by any AASP member (including students) by submitting an application and completing the AG Facilitator Training.

What happens after the Affinity Group Proposal is approved?
Upon approval to create an AG, prospective Affinity Group Facilitators (AGFs) must complete an Affinity Group Facilitator Training sponsored by the Advocacy Committee. Upon training completion, the AASP member will become the AGF. The AGF is responsible for the general oversight, direction and leadership of the AG.

When will Affinity Groups begin to meet and how often?
Once AGFs have completed the offered training, all AGs will welcome members. Each individual AG will collectively determine when and how often to meet.