An is a small group of Activists (usually from 3-20) who work together on Direct Action .
Affinity groups are organized in a non-hierarchical manner, usually using Consensus Decision Making , and are often made up of trusted friends or other like-minded people. They provide a method of organization that is responsive, flexible and decentralized.
Affinity groups can be based on a common ideology (eg. Anarchism ), a shared concern for a given issue (eg. Anti-nuclear ) or a common activity, role or skill (eg. Street Medics ). Affinity groups may have either open or closed membership, although the latter is far more common.
The use of affinity groups dates back to 19th century , Environmental , Anti-war , and Anti-globalization , to name some examples.
By definition, affinity groups are autonomous. Co-ordinated effort and co-operation amongst several affinity groups, however, is often acheived by using a loose form of Confederation .
- ''Cluster'': The cluster is the basic unit of organization amongst affinity groups. Clusters are comprised of several affinity groups and are organized in a non-hierarchical manner. Clusters can be permanent, but are more often Ad Hoc groupings organized for one specific task or action. They can be organized around a shared goal (eg. blockading a particular road), a common ideology (eg. quakers) or a place of origin {Link without Title} {Link without Title} .
- '' Spokescouncil '': The spokescouncil is an aggregate of clusters and affinity groups. Each affinity group or cluster nominates one representative (often called a "spoke") to participate in the council. Spokescouncils are most often temporary bodies, committed to accomplishing one task or event. {Link without Title} {Link without Title}
- Starhawk : "An affinity group is a group of people who have an affinity for each other, know each others strengths and weaknesses, support each other, and do (or intend to do ) political/campaign work together." {Link without Title}
- Luke Hauser : "Affinity groups serve as a source of support and solidarity for their members. Feelings of being isolated or alienated from the movement, or the crowd, or the world in general can be alleviated through the love and trust which develops when an affinity group works, plays, and relates together over a period of time. By generating familiarty and trust, the AG structure reduces the possibility of infiltration by outside provocateurs." {Link without Title}
- , when something serious is happening, you don’t do it in a meeting. You do it with some people you know and trust, an affinity group and then it doesn’t get penetrated. That’s one of the reasons why the FBI has never been able to figure out what’s going on in any of the popular movements." {Link without Title}
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