About
Outreach & Professional Development

Affinity Group Facilitator Institute

"This was an amazing experience. The institute was run so smoothly and thoughtfully and I'm leaving able to think and understand my role with greater depth and sensitivity."

- Danielle, Beaver Country Day School

About

Many organizations utilize affinity groups to support members of the community, to increase sense of belonging for members of historically marginalized groups, and to improve overall inclusivity.  And yet, many of us find ourselves facilitating these groups simply because we are one of the few in the community who identify as members of these groups or because we hold a desire to support DEI efforts.  Facilitating identity affirming and protective spaces is simply not something we have been trained to do, and so many of us are hungry for this learning.

Learning Objectives

This full day session accomplishes several goals:
  1. Learn a four-pillar framework for facilitating affinity groups that can leverage these spaces and build strong communities.
  2. Discover factors that lead to greater (or less) success and examine our current programs for effectiveness.
  3. Connect with other affinity leaders from other schools, within and across identity groups, to develop group-specific topics, resources, and strategies.
This year, we are offering two separate institutes—one in the summer and one in the fall—both designed to deliver the same learning outcomes. 

*This institute supports facilitators in organizations that have existing affinity groups and is not intended for organizations that are trying to start affinity groups.

Summer Institute

When: Friday, August 1, 2025, 9am-4pm (morning treats & lunch included) - This program follows the SGS multi-day Cultural Competency Lab (July 28-31)

Where: Seattle Girls’ School, 1700 24th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Early bird registration for the Summer institute is before June 15, 2025
  • Individual registration: $250
  • School teams of 5: $1100
  • School teams greater than 5: $1100 + $200/person above 5
Registration for the Summer institute after June 15, 2025
  • Individual registration: $300
  • School teams of 5: $1400
  • School teams greater than 5: $1400 + $275/person above 5

Fall Institute

When: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 9am-4pm (morning treats & lunch included)
Where: Seattle Girls’ School, 1700 24th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Early bird registration for the Fall institute is before September 1, 2025
  • Individual registration: $250
  • School teams of 5: $1100
  • School teams greater than 5: $1100 + $200/person above 5 
Registration for the Fall institute after September 1, 2025
  • Individual registration: $300
  • School teams of 5: $1400
  • School teams greater than 5: $1400 + $275/person above 5

 
"SGS truly delivered an exceptional experience in facilitating Affinity Groups. The depth of the conversations and the real-life examples shared were not only affirming but profoundly insightful."

-Jonathan, Hamlin Robinson School

Video Resources

Travel and Accommodations

SGS is located in the Central District of Seattle.

Public Transit:
We are accessible by Metro Bus lines 48, 4, 8, 7, and 106, and we are located 1 mile from the Mt. Baker Light Rail station.

Flying to Seattle: 
The closest airport is the Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA).

Recommended Accommodations: 
Silver Cloud Hotel - Seattle Broadway.  Click here before June 25 for 10% off Best Rate discount.

If coming with a large school group, consider a house rental in the Central District or a nearby neighborhood (Mt. Baker, Madrona, Leschi, North Beacon Hill).


Refund Policy

Please notify Phelana Pang (ppang@seattlegirlsschool.org) if you need to cancel your registration.
  • For the Summer institute, cancellation on or before June 15, 2025 will be fully refunded minus a $20 administrative fee per participant. Cancellation June 15 - July 15 will result in a 50% refund. Cancellation after July 15 will be non-refundable.
  • For the Fall institute, cancellation on or before September 1, 2025 will be fully refunded minus a $20 administrative fee per participant. Cancellation September 1 - 20 will result in a 50% refund. Cancellation after September 20 will be non-refundable.

Seattle Girls' School

Located in the Central District, Seattle Girls' School is an independent school for girls and gender nonconforming students in grades 5-8. Our mission is to inspire and develop courageous leaders who think independently, work collaboratively, learn joyfully, and champion change.

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