Learn how SDL employees come together to meet others with common interests. Credit: SDL | Allison Bills
At the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), our culture is one of togetherness, both inside and outside of work. Employees love spending time with one another, often sharing their talents and interests through employee-led clubs.
“For many years, employee clubs have proven to be successful avenues for building relationships across the organization through common interests. Clubs are a highly effective means for employees—particularly those who are new to the Lab—to connect and feel part of the SDL team. I am impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication shown by club members for their activities. Whether at noontime or after hours, club gatherings foster camaraderie across divisions and departments.”
Stephanie Halton
Employees get together to enjoy a wide range of interests, from sports, outdoor adventures, and gaming, to building, crafting, and cooking, to improving photography or sharpshooting skills, and even self-development through Toastmasters, leadership, and Women in Technology. These club activities provide terrific ways to connect and perhaps learn or improve a skill.
SDL supports clubs by allowing employees to use internal systems such as group chats, collaborative webpages, and news articles to coordinate meetings and share experiences. In May, the Lab hosted a lunchtime Club Fair to familiarize employees with options and hopefully help clubs get some new members!
Getting Out to Relax and Unwind
Engaging in club activities can provide a welcome distraction from work-related challenges, offering a chance to decompress a bit. Studies have shown that taking a mental break can reduce or help prevent stress. In addition, many of our clubs are focused on team sports and outdoor activities, which have been proven to help relieve pain and reduce stress hormone levels.
We asked SDL employees how participating in club activities affects their mental well-being, and here are a few of their responses.
“Taking a break from the office to participate in an SDL club is recharging. Getting sunshine and movement facilitates mental clarity. When I return to work after a club activity, I feel mentally refreshed.”
Thane Windward
“Participation in lunchtime athletic club activities gives me a mid-day reset, offloading stress and ultimately making me more productive. It is also an important component of my personal fitness, which helps me be healthier and successful in my twice-yearly Army Fitness Test.”
Morgan Davidson
“The Photography Club isn’t just about sharpening our photography skills and sharing a mutual love of photo-taking. Most days we take a break from being inside to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. A lot of club members work exclusively at their desks, so getting outside and admiring something organic is a great way to refresh their eyes and spirits. We go on photography walks, roll around on the ground looking for neat angles, mindfully observe the pond ducks and cute dragonflies, and practice the art of ‘seeing,’ which can be incredibly Zen.”
Allison Bills
“Our Pickleball Club provides the opportunity to take a break from everyday duties and get outside to enjoy the fresh air. It’s an opportunity to connect with coworkers in a different, more personal and memorable way. The physical activity increases blood flow to help avoid the afternoon slump (siesta time) at work.”
O’Ryan Smith
Connection Made Easy
A huge benefit of club participation is meeting people outside one’s regular work circle. Many SDL employees specialize in specific skills and may end up working with the same teams repeatedly. In addition, new employees often relocate from areas across the nation. Clubs help create a sense of community and belonging by fostering social connections that may not have happened without common-interest bonds.
Our employees had the following to say about socializing through employee clubs.
“I got to play golf with a guy from the office right next door to me. We had only ever said hello to each other, but I learned that we’d been at SDL roughly the same amount of time, and I learned more about his cool job. Clubs are a great way to get to know coworkers outside of work. Sometimes it is worth taking half a day off to participate.”
Evan Stoker
“Having a way to interact with coworkers we may otherwise not get to know is meaningful and helps me feel connected even when I find myself spending a lot of time working independently. I suspect that many, like me, have gone to big company-wide meetings and felt nervous about not knowing anyone or not knowing who to sit by. Being a part of a club provides connections to other teams, which helps us all feel more grounded and comfortable.”
Casey Wood
“Here at SDL, we work on a large campus with many programs and a lot of diverse employees. It’s great to see how a club, formed around a common interest, can bring people together who otherwise never would have met.”
Jason Tubbs
Improving Skills for Success
Most employee clubs are all about exercise, mental breaks, and fun, but some clubs focus on personal development, skill-building, and extending one’s comfort zone. The fact that these clubs are organized and led by employees makes them even more impressive.
Some employees commented about how clubs have contributed to their continual quest for self-improvement.
“I’ve learned a lot about communicating more effectively and thinking about the skills and processes required to share a message that can be understood by an audience. Toastmasters provides an opportunity to develop skills in a safe, encouraging environment.”
Deron Scott
“Toastmasters helped me both professionally and personally by encouraging me to grow beyond my comfort zone in a positive environment. It helped me build confidence and improve my speaking skills, all while keeping the experience fun and engaging.”
Alexis Parkinson
“Clubs like the Amateur Radio Club or Makers Club help with personal development, as there are many skills that, while perhaps not directly related, are tangentially related to the work we do. Learning about 3D modeling, RF, rapid prototyping, or working with electronics can provide insight and value. Clubs can even help us discover new avenues of interest, leading to future adjustments to our work focus areas.”
Casey Wood