Editing Affinity group (section)

==Organization==

===External===
By definition, Affinity groups are [[Autonomy|autonomous]] from any larger body. Co-ordinated effort and co-operation amongst several Affinity groups, however, is often achieved by using a loose form of [[confederation]].  Private clubs, for example, may cooperate through reciprocal agreements which allow the members of one club to use the facilities of another club in a different location. Other affinity groups, such as [[Rotary International|Rotarians]] or [[Toastmasters]], may be individual units that conform to shared standards so that one may participate in another group of the same name anywhere on earth without requiring the individual to reapply for a new membership.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

*''Cluster'': The cluster is the basic unit of organization amongst Affinity groups. A cluster consists of several Affinity groups and is organized in a non-hierarchical manner. A cluster can be permanent, but is more often an [[ad hoc]] grouping organized for one specific task or action. One can be organized around a shared goal (e.g. [[Blockade|blockading]] a particular road), a common ideology (e.g. [[Religious Society of Friends|the Quakers]]) or a place of origin.<ref>{{Cite web|title=rantcollective.net|url=http://ww12.rantcollective.net/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519033258/http://www.rantcollective.net/article.php?id=31|archive-date=May 19, 2006|website=ww12.rantcollective.net}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2025|reason=Cited source is the dead website of an obscure activist collective.}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Austinspokes.org|url=http://www.austinspokes.org/glossary.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060709111426/http://www.austinspokes.org/glossary.shtml|archive-date=July 9, 2006}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2025|reason=Cited source is the dead website of an obscure activist collective.}}
*''[[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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Austinspokes.org What is a spokescouncil?|url=http://www.austinspokes.org/spokescouncil.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060709111439/http://www.austinspokes.org/spokescouncil.shtml|archive-date=July 9, 2006}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2025|reason=Cited source is the dead website of an obscure activist collective.}}

===Internal===
Affinity groups tend to be loosely organized, however there are some  formal roles or positions that commonly occur. A given Affinity group may have all, some or none of these positions. They may be permanent or temporary and the group may opt to take turns in these roles, or assign one role to one person.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

*''[[Spokesperson]]'' (or just ''spoke''): The individual charged with representing the Affinity group at a spokescouncil or cluster meeting. Occasionally, the spoke will be granted a more general [[ambassador]]ial role by the Affinity group.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
*''Facilitator'': A person or people who perform [[Facilitation (business)|facilitation]] duties in [[consensus decision-making|consensus process]] of the group and also, to varying degrees, act as arbiter of internal conflicts.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
*''Media contact'': An individual who represents the group to the [[mass media]]. Often this individual is the same person as the Spoke.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
*''Vibe watch'': A person or people charged with monitoring the [[Mood (psychology)|mood]] and [[feeling]] of the group. The reference is to ''vibrations'' in the colloquial emotional sense. In some Affinity groups, the vibe watch is also charged with keeping the facilitator from using his or her role to favor any position or proposal.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
*''Snap-decision facilitator'': Also called "quick decision facilitator", this is a person charged with making decisions for the group in time-constrained or high-pressure situations. The position is rare and is almost always temporary (contrast with the pre-Imperial Roman concept of a [[Roman dictator|temporary dictator]]).{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}