Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1489591
32 WAC Magazine | wac.net club life affinity groups e Green Lake trail is busier than one may anticipate on a Tuesday morning. Among the countless people jogging, rid- ing bikes, and even fishing, you'll also find the WAC Walkers. e WAC's first official affinity group started meeting on Tuesday mornings this past fall. ey're taking a break for winter but plan to resume their weekly Green Lake and other area walks in April. During one of the group's walks last year, WAC members gathered at the designated meeting spot, greeted one another, and introduced themselves. As they started their walk, members ex- changed friendly conversation, choosing a brisk but comfortable pace. e dense greenery and open space surrounding the lake made it easy to forget we were in the middle of the city. Despite the people and nearby traffic, a quiet calm settled on the popular 2.8-mile path around the lake. On this day, one of the group's leaders, Amy Pieper, explained how the WAC Walkers began. e idea of a walking group started at the first meeting of the Engagement Team, a new committee organized by Club Programs last year. "e idea came up and I like to walk," Amy says. "I looked at Nora [Tabler] and said, 'Let's do it!'" It was that easy, which is exactly what the Engagement Team hopes for other affinity groups, as well. "ey are a concerted effort at building community," says Cheryl Steele, Engagement Team Chair. Other new WAC groups—includ- ing the Supper Club and the LGBTQ+ group—have already followed in the figurative footsteps of the WAC Walkers and have hosted regular get-togethers. e WAC Walkers look forward to hitting the trail again very soon. New walkers are always welcome. Anyone interested in joining the group in April can contact Engagement Team Vice Chair Nora Tabler at ntabler@gmail.com. A morning with the WAC Walkers Affinity groups connect members with similar interests and passions Join a group, start a group The Club Programs Engagement Team helps combine WAC members with shared interests into new affinity groups. These member-led groups can come together around all sorts of shared passions. Some of the WAC affinity groups that are active or currently forming include: • WAC Walkers • Seattle Discovery Club • Book Club • Outdoor Adventure Club • Supper Club • LGBTQ+ • WACky Knitters • Mahjong Club To learn more or suggest a new group, contact Club Programs Manager Robinette Holt at rholt@ wac.net. u The WAC Walkers are one of the new affinity groups at the Club. Weekly walks resume in April. E M I L I O H U E R TA S By Maya Anderson