The Affinity Groups are the heart and soul of the Wainwright House Community. They are leaderless groups that provide the opportunity for Members to gather around a shared perspective or interest and to learn from each other. It is easy to form an Affinity Group: Three Wainwright House members express interest in a particular focus, with one member accepting responsibility for coordinating the group. All participants must be current WH members and agree to pay $10 per meeting to help support the House. Please call 914-967-6080 or email us at registrar@wainwright.org if you wish to start a group. Affinity Group Guidelines can be found below.
 
Mondays
 
Women in Conversation: Midlife and Beyond
Join with women to learn and share stories and spiritual journeys. We use meditation, visualization and facilitated dialoging to create a safe space for authentic being and self expression.
Every first and third Monday of every month; 7:15 pm - 9:15 pm.
For more information please contact Ellen at 203-327-7672.
 
Tuesdays
 
SCOPE
SCOPE [Stimulating and Creative Opportunities for Personal Enrichment] is an adult study program offering a forum for the sharing of life experience and individual viewpoints. The programs are presented by research-minded SCOPE members and occasional outside speakers. Adults are encouraged to stretch their minds to new limits and to interchange ideas in an atmosphere free from pressure and competitiveness. Sessions are informal and the curriculum flexible, and in keeping with the diverse interests of its participants. Make new friends while pursuing long-held interests and discovering new ones. 2008 Fall Semester

SCOPE is held on Tuesdays from September through December, with a shortened semester in January and February followed by a spring semester from March through May. The sessions run from 10:30 am to noon, with time out for coffee and sandwiches. They resume at 1:00 pm, and run until 2:30 pm.

Would you like to experience a session before joining? Come spend a Tuesday with SCOPE and see what it’s all about. All are welcome. To register or for information call Barb at 914-698-7573 or Pamela at 914-633-8132.
 
Wednesdays
 
Group Meditation and Healing Circle
Experience deep relaxation and relief from the stresses of life with our open meditation circle. This circle has been ongoing for more that fifteen years. Sessions begin with either guided or silent, mindful meditations, and follow with a "blessing circle" of intentions for wholeness and peace of earth, body, mind and spirit.
Every Wednesday evening at 8 pm.
Contact Barbara Roth at mamabarbie29@yahoo.com for more information.
 
Thursdays
 
Writing from the Heart
This group is based on the book Writing From the Heart written by Nancy Aronie. It is a safe place one can write or learn to write without being judged or evaluated.
Every first and third Thursday of every month; 7:30 pm - 9 pm.
For more information please contact Lori Samuels at lsamuels@pirnie.com.
 
Affinity Group Guidelines
 
Only current members of Wainwright House (WH) may submit a proposal for an Affinity Group (AG). Proposals will be evaluated by the Program Committee for contribution to WH''s mission statement/goals and the needs of the community.

Our mission is to inspire greater understanding through body, mind and spirit.
 
Proposals
 
•  A list of 3 current WH members who support the formation of the group and plan to regularly participate. Three months will be given to allow the group to grow, but a sustainable number of 5 active participants will be required to continue.
 
•  E-mailed proposals are preferred. Please send to proposals@wainwright.org.
 
Rules for conducting Affinity Groups
 
•  AG''s are leaderless groups. They are an opportunity for the WH community to meet and share common interests and concerns. Coordinators are not group leaders or teachers, but the person handling logistics.
 
•  Coordinators are not paid and all income is WH''s. AG participants must be current members of WH, and are expected to pay $10 each time the AG meets.
 
•  AG must receive WH approval before making any scheduling changes. Times and rooms must be made through the House staff. Occasionally, it may be necessary to change rooms or postpone meetings to accommodate events or retreat groups in residence. AG coordinators are responsible for contacting the group and any special set-ups and clean up of rooms after meetings.
 
Coordinator Responsibilities
 
•  Prior to AG''s first meeting, the coordinator must schedule a 15 minute meeting with a WH staff member to learn simple procedures and logistics regarding AG paperwork.
 
•  Stay in communication with WH staff regarding any scheduling changes. In the event of a cancellation, it is the coordinator''s responsibility to notify all group members in advance. Please be sure to share with WH staff an accurate list of your member''s names and contact information for this purpose.
 
•  In the event that you have cancelled a scheduled AG, please contact both the front desk receptionist at Wainwright House as well as Janice O''Brien at x109.
 
•  Check membership status of participants; collect membership from those who are not members, complete and submit attendance sheets, accounting paperwork and income collected.
 
•  Return meeting room to the condition it was in upon arrival and turn off all lights and equipment used before leaving.
 
Acceptance of AG''s
 
•  Coordinators will be notified of the Program Committee''s decision within six weeks of submitting a proposal (to allow for monthly Board Meeting review). If the AG is accepted by WH, it will be offered on a trial basis initially, the length to be determined by WH. Promotion of AG''s will only be considered after a successful trial period.

WH reserves the right to cancel AG''s if rules of conduct are not honored or if coordinators are not maintaining their responsibilities.