Social Connection Groups

We are looking for individuals who are interested in facilitating new social connection groups. As a reminder, group members determine how and when they meet as well as the topic discussions and activities that will take place. Please contact Healthy IU at healthyu@iu.edu, if you are interested in co-leading a social connection group.

• IU Crochet Give Back Network - We are looking for individuals who are interested in connecting with others who share a love for crochet. In addition to sharing ideas, swapping patterns, and connecting with others, the group intends to donate their crotchet creations to IU organizations or units such as Riley Hospital’s NICU, IUH Simon Cancer Center, etc. Interested parties contact Evelyn Safder at esafder@iu.edu for additional information.
• Candid Conversations for Caregivers - Whether you care for someone who is elderly, disabled, a relative, a child, a spouse, or any other loved one, IUWIT recognizes that being a caregiver is extra stressful these days. Join, IUWIT Leadership Team members, Kim and Melanie, in a monthly virtual, informal, and candid discussion about caregiving. This virtual meeting will give caregivers a chance to informally gather and discuss topics around juggling caregiving while working. You’ll able to just vent, share resources and experiences, and find support from other caregivers. All sessions are open to anyone of any gender. For this semester’s monthly schedule, click here. For more information, contact iuwit@iu.edu
• IU Cancer Survivor Community - IU Microsoft Teams Group: This Teams group is intended to provide a supportive, compassionate, and caring environment for Indiana University employees who have experienced cancer to connect with each other. Any IU cancer survivor is welcome to join and share tools, resources, and support to others through their cancer journey. Contact healthyu@iu.edu to request to join.
• IU Parenting community group is specifically designed for faculty and staff who are interested in connecting with other IU parents to learn, share resources, and network over the shared experience of parenting and/or caregiving. For more information, please contact Healthy IU.
• Shelf Indulgence Book Club - The Ray Bradbury Center is teaming up with Centerpoint Brewing Co. for a brand new quarterly book club. Each quarter, we will read a book from a different genre of fiction. For more information about this quarter's read, and meeting date and time, click here. For more information, email bradbury@iu.edu.

• IU Working Moms’ Group provides a community for female employees who are maintaining a career alongside their parenting responsibilities. The group meets for lunch occasionally at various locations around campus. Moms with children of all ages, from newborns to adults, are welcome. To join, email Amanda Peterson at amkhoffm@iu.edu or like the Facebook group page.
• Noontime Yoga Group members meet twice a week for an energizing hour of essential Hatha Yoga. Please contact Joan Middendorf at middendo@iu.edu for more information.

• Walk the Walk, Talk the Tech  Join faculty and UITS Learning Technologies consultants for casual conversations, brainstorming and movement. These consults focus on a variety of areas including using AI, increasing engagement using technology, and innovation in the classroom. The events take place at scheduled dates at the Bill Garrett Fieldhouse and is open to all instructors. Please contact Dawn Wisher (dwisher@iu.edu) for information on the next event!

• IU Indianapolis Faculty & Staff Affinity Groups have a long history of serving faculty and staff (as well as students and alumni) in matters of social justice and institutional accountability pertaining to the value of diversity.
• IU Indianapolis University Library Book Club this book club is designed to connect readers with each other and promote pleasure reading on campus. If you like reading and/or talking about good books, this club might be for you. But if you just like hanging out with nice people and eating good food, this club might also be for you. All IU Indianapolis students, faculty, and staff are invited. To see the current Book Club reading, location, and meeting date, click here.
• Comic Book Group (on Discord) is for IU Indianapolis employees. The goal of our group is to start with just chatting about what we love, COMIC BOOKS! Maybe later we will grow to meetups, lunches, comic book swaps, and more. Interested? Join us at “Comic Books (IUPUI Employee)” on Discord, by clicking here.
• The ICMH (Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health) Keep Moving is a group of students, faculty, and staff members who come together every week for an activity: walking/running or tennis/pickleball, or volleyball. In addition to a workout, this provides a platform to chat and meet members of the ICMH. For more information please contact Thora Berndt via email thberndt@iu.edu.
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• The IU South Bend Veterans Book Club is open to everyone interested in veterans’ experiences and the role of the military and war in our society. The book club meets periodically throughout the academic year and discusses a wide variety of book genres including novels, memoirs, journalism, graphic novels, short stories, poems, and history. Participants represent a wide range of ages and include students, staff, faculty, and community members as well as veterans and civilians. We frequently have guest experts and authors lead the discussions. Free books are available for those who are interested. The club meets on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 in room 301 of the Schurz Library and on Zoom. For more information please contact Rhonda Culbertson, rculbert@iu.edu.
• The IU South Bend Community Culture Club is for all staff and faculty pop culture enthusiasts who would like to connect with others by engaging in local community cultural events (movies, music, concerts, arts, literature, and festivals). For more information or to join the group, please click here.
• The IU South Bend Parenting Circle is for faculty and staff members who are navigating the demands of work and parenting. Join the group to connect with others who are facing the same joys and challenges in raising kids. We will meet monthly to discuss topics of interest to the group and will have ongoing asynchronous conversations using Teams. Our group is a non-judgmental space where we can share our experiences, offer support, and learn from each other. We welcome parents of all backgrounds, family structures, and ages of children. Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, we invite you to be part of our supportive community. Join us today on Teams or email Anna Michelle Martinez-Montavon, the peer facilitator, with any questions.

• Walking Wednesdays at IU Southeast- Walking is a great low-impact activity to help you stay healthy. Walking Wednesdays is a great way to get out of the office, connect with colleagues and enjoy our lovely campus! If you would like to participate in Walking Wednesdays, please meet at the Clock Tower in McCullough Plaza every Wednesday at 12:30 pm. For more information please contact Lisa Book at lmbook@iu.edu or the IU Southeast Wellness Coalition at sewellne@iu.edu. You can also like the IU Southeast Fam Facebook and the IU Southeast Wellness Coalition Groups on Facebook.