'Sustainable Innovation' Round Table Learning Circles

SQA Online Resource Center

Building the Web of Sustainable Knowledge through Organizational Learning Circles

Notice: there will be organizational round tables beginning in the fall. If you have interest, please let us know by registering with us.

See our sustainable enterprise links page which is used with the below learning circles description.

Suggestions for starting a learning circle

http://www.awakeningearth.org/reportscreen.html

What is a learning circle?

A learning circle is a small group of people who get together to learn, dialogue, and create community in a democratic fashion--with no teacher or leader. A good group size is 6-8 participants, though groups may range from 5-12 people. Each circle session is usually about two hours.

How do I build and run a learning circle?

	Use the resources on this page as basis for individual study and group conversation. Become aware of patterns emerging in your study relating to living in the twenty-first century.
	Start a network of like-minded individuals from your community and workplace. Invite them to become apart of a learning circle.
	Review three sites and/or articles for 20 minutes each or one hour total per week. Make simple notes of your interests and new awareness for use when your learning circle convenes.
	Leadership is best shared by choosing a focus person/facilitator for each next meeting.
	Choose times, date(s), and a locations that are convenient for participants.
	Begin with a 1-2 minute "check-in." Invite participants to describe insights and gut responses to the reviewed materials.
	Create an agenda so the session can flow by clarifying questions. Use a large paper so everyone can refer to them during the meeting.
	Choose the process the group will follow. Consider how the group will proceed with questions, how much time will be allocated for each agenda item, what guidelines will be used for group dialogue, and who will facilitate.
	Create closure. Reflect on the conversation and summarize what was learned. What new questions came up?
	Tell sqa and others about your group.

What are some guidelines for group dialogue?

Guidelines for dialogue adapted from the community groups handbook, by the institute of noetic sciences:

	Speak truthfully, from the heart.
	Listen respectfully, with care, and without judgment.
	Be attentive to the underlying assumptions and deeper truths being expressed.
	Engage in friendly disagreement when appropriate, and strive to understand the positions of those who disagree with you.
	Allow silences.
	Love the questions, and let the answers emerge.
	Be brief.

IMPORTANT: To dramatically improve your group's learning process, first learn how to 'DIALOGUE' before engaging in the below material. Make the session on dialogue your first or second session together.

Suggestion: Each person choose a paper on 'dialogue' from this website: http://www.uia.org/dialogue/webdial.htm

Sustainable Communities

The Global Eco-village Network: Eco-villages are attempts to create complete, working communities in which people can live sustainably, in harmony with each other and nature
http://www.gaia.org/

See our sustainable enterprise links page which is used with the above learning circles description.