Social Connection Groups

• 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. Visit the calendar to see upcoming dates and register for them. For more information, contact cewit@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. Click our IU Cancer Survivor Teams Group 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. To join the IU Parenting Group on Teams, click here. 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.
• The Trident Trailblazers is a University-wide trail runners group for IU Staff and Faculty. An opportunity to get out, kick up some mud, and connect across campuses. We typically plan for ~5 to 7-mile runs, rain or shine. If 5 miles+, we will choose trails with a cut-through option for those that prefer to stick to a shorter length. Seasonal pre-planned runs will be shared on Teams and pop-up opportunities will be added as demand calls for. Keep an eye out for pop-up events on Healthy IU’s Facebook Page. Join the group anytime on Teams; RSVP’ing and carpooling encouraged. Let Hannah McConnell (hmmcconn@iu.edu) know if you want to host a run closer to your home campus!
• IU Grief Support Community This Teams group is intended to provide a supportive, compassionate, and caring environment for Indiana University employees who are grieving to connect with each other. Any IU employee is welcome to join and share tools, resources, and support to others through their grief journey. This group is not intended to be a form of counseling or a formal therapeutic support group. Please see the welcome message after joining for more information to be sure you are comfortable with the parameters. Request to join the private group here: O365-IU Grief Support Community | General | Microsoft Teams
• Faculty/Staff on the Spectrum (FSOS) Group - The Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community sponsors the Faculty/Staff on the Spectrum (FSOS) group on the IU Bloomington campus for hybrid meetings. FSOS is a peer-led affinity space open to all IU employees who identify as autistic for: social connection, self-advocacy, and campus & community support. FSOS is not a counseling program, it is a peer-led space for IU employees. Meetings are the first Wednesday of the month from 5:30-6:30 PM ET. Hybrid meeting at IRCA (2810 E Discovery Parkway, Building M, Bloomington) and online (iu.zoom.us/my/rebeccamartinez). Email irca@iu.edu with any questions.

• Integrated Bureau of Leader Assistants  IBoLA - the Integrated Bureau of Leader Assistants - is an employee resource group open to all administrative and support staff across all IU campuses. We meet weekly on Wednesdays at 2pm via Teams to exchange ideas, learn new skills, and foster a sense of community. For more information, please contact Hannah Smith, hmjanes@iu.edu, or  join our Teams group.

• Menopause Matters Teams Page The Menopause Matters Microsoft Teams private group is a supportive space for employees to access resources, share experiences, and find information on all things menopause. Whether you are pre-menopausal, peri-menopausal, in the thick of it, or post-menopausal, you are welcome here. This group offers a safe and inclusive environment for discussions and helpful tools to navigate menopause with confidence.

• Adult and Elder Care Support Teams Page  The Adult and Elder Care Support Teams private group is an online IU community specifically designed for faculty and staff who are interested in connecting with other caregivers to learn, share resources, and network over the shared experience of this type of caregiving and life stage. 

• IU Working Moms’ Group provides a community for employees who are maintaining a career alongside their parenting responsibilities. The group meets for lunch occasionally at various locations around campus. Parents 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.

• The Trident Trailblazers is a University-wide trail runners group for IU Staff and Faculty. An opportunity to get out, kick up some mud, and connect across campuses. We typically plan for ~5 to 7-mile runs, rain or shine. If 5 miles+, we will choose trails with a cut-through option for those that prefer to stick to a shorter length. Seasonal pre-planned runs will be shared on Teams and pop-up opportunities will be added as demand calls for. Keep an eye out for pop-up events on Healthy IU’s Facebook Page. Join the group anytime on Teams; RSVP’ing and carpooling encouraged. Let Hannah McConnell (hmmcconn@iu.edu) know if you want to host a run closer to your home campus!

• IU Bloomington Tabletop Gaming Group Welcome all Bloomingtonians! Come relax with us and play a round of games. We meet every other week to play a mix of games, from drop-in card games and Jackbox party packs to campaign-style tabletop games. This is a low-stress, casual setting to have fun and make local friends. Click here to join the Teams page to keep up with upcoming events.

• Faculty/Staff on the Spectrum (FSOS) Group The Indiana Resource Center for Autism at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community sponsors the Faculty/Staff on the Spectrum (FSOS) group on the IU Bloomington campus. All Indiana University faculty and staff who identify as Autistic are welcome. These are primarily self-directed groups that help individuals stay socially connected, become effective self-advocates, and explore supports and activities on campus and in the community. Events are scheduled with club members only, and in conjunction with the Neurodiversity Coalition and the College Internship Program. SOS and FSOS are not counseling programs. All meetings will take place at Indiana Resource Center for Autism
  (2810 E Discovery Parkway, Building M, Bloomington, IN 47408) and a zoom option is available for those unable to attend in person. Parking at the Institute is open after 5:00 P.M. One should use the spaces and not pull up to the side of the circle drive, etc., as that will block IU vehicles. There are accessible spaces off the circle drive and off the parking lot alongside the Institute. For more information visit: https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/community-support/index.html. 

•  Night at the Museum Events The IUMAA (IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) hosts monthly Night at the Museum events that are free and open to our community! The goal of these events is to build connection and foster joy, all while having fun at the museum. Each event is a different theme and will have an assortment of things to do (for example, eat, dance, craft, sing, discuss, etc.). Visit the museum calendar at https://iumaa.iu.edu/events/events-calendar.html for details, or email iumaa@iu.edu with any questions.

•  Get to Know Your Colleagues – Staff Council Events All IUB staff members are invited to casually connect with colleagues from all over campus over coffee and tea. We encourage you to bring business cards, network, and enjoy the refreshments! No need to RSVP; join us at any Get to Know Your Colleagues events. Visit here to see upcoming events. Please email the Council at iubsc@iu.edu if you have suggestions for future events locations. 

• Grief Group is an informal peer group open to IU staff to create a safe space to connect with others on their grief journey and receive support within the IU community, usually occurring over the noon lunch hour in the IMU. Meeting dates are sent through Bloomington Staff Council emails. Email iubsc@iu.edu if you have questions. Please Note: This is not a professionally facilitated support group or counseling service.

• IU Indianapolis Faculty & Staff Affinity Groups have a long history of serving faculty and staff (as well as students and alumni) and offering opportunities for involvement.
• 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 Jen Somers jesomers@iu.edu. Group does not meeting during winter months.
• 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.
• Staff Mentoring Program - The IU Indianapolis Staff Mentoring Program is a one-year program created to help staff with their professional development by increasing job competencies, enhancing engagement and raising overall job satisfaction.  Full-time staff from all schools/units and all ranks on the Indianapolis campus are eligible to apply as mentees or mentors. The mentors will be from a diverse range of ranks and roles. Peer-to-peer mentoring will be allowed.  Mentors must be full-time staff with at least two years of work experience on the Indianapolis campus. Mentees must discuss the time commitment with their supervisor. Mentors are expected to spend at least 25 hours with mentees.  Staff Council typically emails or puts information in IU Today as applications typically open in the middle of August and are due sometime in the beginning of September.
• Veterans Faculty and Staff Council (VFSC) Social Hour at the American Legion Post 276 (327 Main St., Beech Grove, IN) is a monthly social gathering at 6pm on the first Thursday of the month, for faculty and staff veterans. Food and beverages are available for purchase. You can find the dates of upcoming events here and/or contact Joe Hayes or email vfsc@iu.edu.
• Veterans Faculty and Staff Council (VFSC) Brown Bag Lunch is a monthly gathering of campus-based veterans, on the last Wednesday of the month, from noon-1pm. Bring your own lunch; located in the Campus Center, Room 266. You can find the dates of upcoming events here and/or contact Joe Hayes or email vfsc@iu.edu.

• The IU East Connect and Care (Through Our Needlework) group is looking for talented knitters and/or crocheters to work together to produce small needlework gifts, which will be forwarded to cancer patients in our service region for upcoming holidays.  All IU East students, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate and we hope to gather in person to craft together.  If you are interested in becoming a knitter or crocheter for this project, please email Deanna Cooper at deancooper@iu.edu or Oi Lin (Irene) Cheung at ocheung@iu.edu. 
• Campus Social Hour: Each month, faculty and staff at IU East are invited to come together for a relaxed, informal gathering that encourages connection and community across campus. Enjoy light refreshments, celebrate the month's faculty and staff birthdays, and take part in a fun-themed craft or game.  Whether you're looking to unwind, meet new colleagues, or just enjoy a friendly break in your day, Campus Social Hour is a great way to stay connected and recharge. Please email Shannon Snapp (shsnapp@iu.edu) for more information.

• 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 - Take a movement break during your workday and connect with other faculty and staff from IU South Bend. The group will meet before 11AM in the SAC lobby for a 20-30 minute walk/stroll every Wednesday. When nice, the group will go outside. If it is cold or rainy, we will head to the SAC track. Contact Elizabeth Bennion at ebennion@iu.edu to express an interest in Walking Wednesdays and be added to a TEAMS group chat notifying you of any changes to our weekly schedule or meeting location.

•  Faculty & Staff Potluck Series – Join the Fun! - Looking to connect with colleagues in a relaxed, informal setting? Join the new Faculty/Staff Potluck Series, held the first Saturday of each month in the homes of IU South Bend faculty and staff. This is not an official campus event—just a grassroots effort to build community and share good food! (Significant others welcome). How it works:

  • Email: ebennion@iu.edu to be added to the invitation list.
  • Bring a dish to pass and drinks for yourself or to share.
  • Healthy foods are encouraged but not required.
  • The host provides plates, napkins, and utensils.

  Whether you're new to campus or a longtime faculty/staff member, we hope you'll join us for food, friendship, and fun!

   

• Faculty/Staff Bridge Club - The Faculty/Staff “Bridge Club” will meet Wednesdays at 3pm and Thursdays at 2:30pm during Spring 2025, on the top floor of the library. Beginners are welcome! If you've played trick-taking games such as Hearts, Spades or Euchre, it's easy to get started. Even if not, they'll teach you...patiently. Contact Eric Schansberg with questions or interest, or feel free to show up.  (New semester information will be updated here once announced – and Eric usually sends this information out as an email in the beginning of a semester.)

• Crochet Club This is a student led group, welcoming any interested faculty and staff, as a place to socially get together for fiber arts (crocheting, knitting). Bring your materials and join! Email (student) Krista Blackburn at krisblac@iu.edu to be added to the email list for upcoming event information.

• Coffee Break Coffee Break is a weekly opportunity for social connection event open to all IU Columbus faculty and staff every Thursday 9:30-10:30am in the IU Columbus Staff Lounge. All coffee and food is free.

• Breakfast Club All IU employees are welcome to join in for the Breakfast Club monthly pitch in (often, but not always themed). Contact Sandy Almendares-Monge at smonge@iu.edu for details on the next event.

• Bowling Club The Bowling Club is a student club, where employees are also welcome to join. This group meets the first Thursday of the month, September – April, from 6-8pm at the Columbus Bowling Center (3010 State St.). Faculty/staff who attend are asked to self-pay when possible.

• Walking Wednesdays - Take a movement break during your workday and connect with other faculty and staff from IUFW.  Meet outside of Student Central at 11am for a ~30 minute walk/stroll on designated dates. When nice, the group will go outside and otherwise, will stay inside. Contact Catrina Beeny at catbeeny@iu.edu for the semester’s planned dates.

IU employees may join one or more social connection groups that interest them.

• Groups include:

• 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 Sara Kinder, with Healthy IU, if you are interested in coordinating a social connection group or having your existing group added to this page.