Get Involved

There are a number of optional ways to get to know your coworkers outside of regular work. Please see below for different ways people participate around the office. Groups and events are open to the entire External Affairs community.

Celebrations Slack Channel

Make sure you join our #celebrations Slack channel to celebrate new projects launching, see colleagues’ pets, hear about snacks left in the office kitchens, and more.

External Affairs DEI Committee

The goal of the DEI committee is to foster a work environment where all employees feel a strong sense of community, belonging, and inclusion. The committee aims to create a more welcoming workplace by proposing initiatives that promote service, community building, and a sense of inclusion. These initiatives include Volunteer Time Off, the Media & Culture Club, Accessibility, and our Salons. To join the DEI Committee and/or one of our subcommittees, please visit our website.

Media & Culture Club

Movies, podcasts, books, and other forms of media play a big part in shaping our perspectives and worldviews. Brought to you by the DEI Committee, the Media & Culture Club is all about diving into these fascinating worlds and having heart-to-heart discussions about culture, diversity, and inclusion. Community members are alerted of an upcoming event via an email invite, and all are welcome to share in the open discussion of thoughts, comments, questions, and fun! If you have any suggestions for future topics, feel free to throw them in our spreadsheet!

Salons

Fashioned after the historical salons of yore, these recurring events are a place to gather and promote conversation, connection, and community. Each Salon is hosted by a different member of our community, where they can tell us about themselves or about something important to them. Many take the form of an AMA (Ask Me Anything) but that is not a requirement; all are about listening and learning from those around us and, of course, enjoying a small break from work. They typically take place on Wednesday afternoons, and an email will go out in advance to the entire community so that people can RSVP. If you’re interested in hosting a Salon, please sign up on the DEI website. 

Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

The VTO policy provides all eligible, full-time External Affairs employees with two full days of paid time off annually to engage in volunteer/service activities at an organization of their choice. Please visit the VTO section of our Employee Service Initiative page for tips on using VTO. The website features a VTO directory, which lists organizations offering volunteer opportunities. We’re also looking for staff to organize a group volunteer activity within their team or across teams. Please connect with Sharon Freeman, Meredith Mann, or Brian Baldeck for details.

Fun Committee

The Fun Committee seeks to alleviate the everyday stresses in our work lives and provide opportunities to get to know one another in a more lighthearted environment. From our annual Halloween bash to random afternoon cupcake treats or a proper celebration of National Donut Day, the Fun Committee’s goal is to bring smiles to MarCom faces. Have a fun idea? Eager to learn more about your coworkers? Want to join us? Reach out to Brian Baldeck or Allie Bouranova. We’re always looking for fresh ideas!

MarCom Craft Council (MC3)

MC3 is a very casual, very informal, no-commitment hang where crafty people gather to work on their projects and chat about anything and everything. Everyone, Every Craft, Every Skill Level is welcome! If your craft isn’t portable, like blacksmithing or pottery, come anyway; we’d love to hear all about it! Don’t have a craft, but you think you might like to start one? Come on by. Someone in the group might be able to teach you, point you in the right direction, or decide to learn the new craft with you. We’re a very curious bunch!

Join our Slack channel, #marcom_craft_council, to learn more. Or stop by during craft time. We meet Wednesdays, 12 pm to 1 pm, at 985 Commonwealth Ave, First Floor, Room 100D. (Feel free to Zoom in to join as well; just let people know in the Slack channel.)