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REPORTS FROM OUR CIRCLES
A few reports are shared below. Reports are generally status updates
about what is happening in individual circles. Sometimes they focus on the
circle method we are using. Sometimes they focus more on the content of
life-affirming leadership.
Questions
Emerging From Our Work and Trends and
Patterns that are experienced in more than just one circle are
restated in their respective sections of Our Learnings.
To submit
new reports or stories, contact info@fromthefourdirections.org.
| From: | Netherlands Senegal Slovenia South Africa |
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British Columbia - Vancouver
October 2002
(from Judith McPhie, Host)
Letting you know 4D is alive and well in Vancouver.From time to time I've thought about how the 4D experience translated in my other life as blue water sailor and decided that is has made a difference to my way of voyaging. I think it has to do with courage. I don't let go of my passions for creating conditions that are empowering to those involved, and for paying attention to loving the environment wherever it might be. So I speak out and I question - other sailors, people we meet in different countries. I try to hear what informs their perspectives - and that enriches my whole travelling. And I find the courage/stamina to articulate my own. That resolve has been fostered by our 4D circle here in Vancouver - and I gladly take it offshore.
Contact the host of this circle
British Columbia - Victoria
October 2002
(From Diana Smith, Host)We are growing this fall, and I think in a few months may want to look at additional circles. We had a wonderful circle a few weeks ago - very powerful.
Nova Scotia - Dartmouth/Halifax
September 2002April 2003
(from Judith Richardson, Host)A bit different small group met as spring approaches in Halifax. And if we all meet at one time, we will be a medium-sized group! There was a distinct underlying excitement as we connected in conversation around authentic leadership. A definite feeling of kindred spirits.
During our circle we explored authentic conversation, encouraging leadership and gifts in others, and the power of story. We shared stories of tradition, facades, presence, and our own practices in developing authentic conversation. We spoke of applying the medicine wheel to our process. We also explored authentic conversation virtually, through on-line courses, etc., wondering if the extra time to articulate with an asynchronous connection is similar to the pause in a dialogue process.
We look forward to better weather as we share a love of the outdoors and are anxious to meet outside, on the water, and who knows! We agreed to bring back a ?story? of authentic conversation in our May meeting. And recognize how grateful we are to the From the Four Directions group for holding space for circles to multiply around the world.
The circles in both Århus and Copenhagen are doing well. Some people have left. Others have come in. Both circles are talking about creating new circles. The Århus participants are starting a circle on creating good learning and good schools. We had a 1-day circle practicum for potential hosts in the region -- it was a great day. And people are using the circle in their work as facilitators (leadership circles, circles for entrepreneurs, for students in schools, etc.) The hosting of the circle is rotating. So all in all - we are thriving and growing.
From Germany
The Cologne Circle started in May 2001. Since January 2001, CMM had consulted approximately 30 colleagues, friends, and acquaintances from the geographical region Bonn-Cologne-through Amsterdam and Frankfurt. From this process, a circle of eight people emerged who committed themselves to come together for a 6 month period.
The circle has met seven times since and decided to go ahead for another six months, through April 2002. Two new colleagues have joined in summer (one through a circle member, another one through Berkana), two new members are lined up.
We are people between 40 and 56, born in Germany, Poland, Sweden, living/having lived and working in Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, Nepal, West Africa, Latin America, Tunisia, Japan, the U.S., Italy and Greece. The 'From the Four Directions' idea is particularly appealing to people who've lived transnational and-or migrant lives and who feel they don't fit any longer 'national' boxes (only), hence the typical situation of blended patchwork-identities and belongings.
The monthly meetings are clearly a very powerful place to reflect and maybe even re-structure one's own thinking, experience and action modes. This was most evident in the September 2001 circle meeting, in the light of Sept 11 and the subsequent public debate. A more thorough listening becomes possible. The talking stick is the single most effective tool in this respect. Also helpful is the absence of pressure - the non-obligation to arrive at shared conclusions or consensus opinions. The confidentiality of the circle allows us to challenge each other's thinking, albeit in a appreciative and respectful way.
From
India
Well, we of course are on same path that is the circle. We have just started and basically visualize in the same context what you are talking and exploring about.
We did our first circle last week and we initiated if with three people, each of us interested in learning more. I just introduced the circle technique and we checked in with this question: share such a learning experience that has had a deep impact on us. And we checked out with: how do we feel now?
The overall sharing of personal experience was very interesting as well as it helped all of three to understand better. This Sunday we have another circle with more friends.
From Netherlands
January 2003
(Suzanne Duarte, Host)
The last circle took place at my house at Binnenkant 46 on 16 December. Because of the holidays and sickness it was a small circle. Roelof, Lars, Swaan, Jan-Paul and I were those in attendance.
The question(s) was/were: What is our vision of a better world, and how would we achieve that if we could? How would we inspire others to join in?
These questions provoked some discussion about:
The feeling of "waiting" to find the fire in oneself, the conviction and commitment that would signal a direction for action.
The feeling of resenting oneself for withdrawing from leadership for action in the world because of previous disillusionment and burnout with political groups.
The feeling of leading a life of "quiet desperation."
The desire to be a life-affirming leader among other life-affirming leaders.
The desire to NOT sacrifice one's personal life and self in order to be an activist, and how that self-sacrificing paradigm is unsustainable and unbalanced.
The desire to work across boundaries that have formerly been perceived between spiritual, environmental and political work or activism, or between "inner work" and "outer work."
Are there people in the Netherlands who are working across those former boundaries?
Is anyone living the alternatives that are being suggested and put forward in the world today -- or it is all just theory?
I think that the questions and issues raised in that circle are very real and pertinent to living in this time, and I promised to send websites on "integral culture" from the US, plus an article or two. Hopefully, these will inspire you as they do me.
The next circle is next Monday, 20 January, again at Binnenkant 46 at the usual time -- beginning around 7:30 and starting at 8:00 sharp. The question is:
What do I need to flourish???
Den
Haag
October 2002
We discussed along the theme of "Life affirming leadership (LAL) in today's world" and first talked about what we understood about the topic and explored the extent to which affirmation was important and that individuals could all give leadership by determining what they were going to do and then having committed to it, to ensure that they followed through and implemented their affirmations. We considered the power of influence and reflected on the statement that "if a butterfly flutters its wings in Japan, there will be an impact that effects us in Europe" no matter how slight is the impact we should all recognise that we can have an influence by our personal implementation of LAL. There has recently been a discussion group in Amsterdam, where people of all nations discussed conflict and Moslem affairs and it was good to see there how open people were and to recognise that Arab Moslem women may be veiled, but that they are a power in their society. This was demonstrated by young women being able to speak
out in public and by examples from those of us who have lived in Arab countries and seen the way that women influence home and society. Examples of leaders whom we considered to set an example in this included; Gandhi, Mandela and possibly Gorbachev, considering that LAL can often grow out of adversity. Whilst the person who demonstrates the leadership is seen to be key, it is the message that they deliver that is important, not the person.We were clear that we were concerned about the ongoing actions of Bush, Blair and the Israeli government and discussed the growing agitation to drive forward a military attack on Iraq. We considered it irresponsible and could not believe that the American people could seriously as a nation believe that this was the way to go. The leadership of US, UK and Israel we considered to be reacting out of an unjust fear.
We have hosted about 8 interesting circles here in Dakar. A lot of people felt energized to host a circle. What is sure is that a lot people are responding to my invitation to be in a new circle. And we are going to have an incredible experience.
I'm planning to host a new circle, hopefully two, in February around some specific themes such as the new leadership in the renaissance of our communities/Africa. It could be an interesting moment of learning from both traditional and modern modes of leadership.
Our original circle in Maribor, Slovenia came to an end in November 2001. We had been together since January 2001, meeting every 3-4 weeks. As we had a break during the summer, I would say we probably met eight times. The original circle came to a natural end. I wanted to encourage others to take over the hosting experience and role. We basically talked about having the circle expand, inviting new guests and having some of the current members be hosts. I am also wanting to start a new circle in Ljubljana.
Concerning other circles, I have recently heard that the Slovene Institute for adult education has study circles on various topics -- their circles are led by mentors who go through the institute's education. I hope to get in touch with them soon and find out more about their work.
I am currently involved in the Imagine Capetown circle. A group of OD practitioner circle has grown into a solid support for our transformational challenges in South African corporate world. Particularly around equity issues-racism, & sexism. I'm also in several other efforts. Dreamcatches -- a women to women development initiative, I started in October 2001 with diversity into age, race, competencies. It's a small circle of just 12 women! A new Houtbay Kids circle. An on-going leadership circle. In January 2003 I initiated a circle for skill development facilitators with the university of Western Cape-triple loop academy. My previous 2 company circles have reached closure. But individuals from that circle have started new circles of which I am directly involved. The Dept of Public Services (DPSA) LEADERSHIP circle that Meg assisted me to start up has reported to have grown exponentially. This group will act as facilitators to support me at their Senior Leadership conference in March 2002. It will be run in cafe concept to accommodate the 500 delegates in a meaningful dialogue around the State of the Nation address, DPSA's vision and strategy.
The Brighton circle has been meeting for a year, we meet monthly and we haven't had a conversation about ending. I think we like it too much! WE have had fluctuating attendance and that's ok too. I am constantly on the look out for new members and have recently got 3 new members.
London Circle has met 4 times since April 2001, I have not always been the host, Patricia has been and more recently Una Nicholson hosted a circle.
We have also just held a weekend event in London aimed at people in the London surrounding area and Una, and Bridget Peake and some new people have agreed to continue. It is likely that this will take the form of all day gatherings rather than a few hours in the evening. I am very excited about this as there is real energy and enthusiasm behind this idea and I think it will happen more consistently than I was able to give it time to do.
Arizona - Tucson
(Teresiana Zurita, Host)In March, 2001, I participated in a From The Four Directions circle with 35 people from around the world in the Sonoran desert near Tucson. I was moved to tears on many occasions during that circle as I experienced humanity in a way that I've always known was possible. There are sustained ways of being together that celebrate all life.
During the ensuing summer, I introduced this life-affirming way of being to the student government at the community college where I worked. At that time, I was energized and cautiously hopeful about the trajectory of our world.
Then September 11th happened. Along with the grief, I felt a great urgency that this work of the softening to our humanity must happen now. With the support of my friend, Barbara, we convened our first Leadership Circle on September 23.
Since then we have convened two series of Leadership Circles, each for 6 biweekly meetings. We fully embraced the F4D value of diversity and seeded our circles with participants who were 20-60 years old, from Latino, Native American, African, Asian, and European descent, and varying levels of education.
Topics we discussed were human goodness, leaders and leadership, change, and courage. One issue continually resurfaced: should we be DOing something? Do talking, giving encouragement, and increasing conscious practice count as doing? We repeatedly wrestled with this as a group, and left our circles to continue working that issue out individually.
Then, this summer (2002), Barbara and I participated in a Circle Practicum convened by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea. Again, I experienced a context where life is nurtured and sustained. Out of this experience and our work together, Barbara and I recognized the primacy of "tending to our first hoops." This fall we are convening a Spiritual Board of Directors whose purpose will be to sustain and support each other in developing a strong spiritual self/foundation from which to bring forth our work in the world.
Ways that I am different as a leader as a result of my participation in F4D?
- I feel more positive about the word leader as a direct result of this radical, life-affirming experience of F4D network. I'm even beginning to feel okay about using the word to describe myself on occasion.
- I'm also gaining a deeper understanding of both the complexity and the simplicity of leadership. Whenever we interact with human beings we interact with complexity. Yet in the stillness of my heart where my leadership issues forth, action coming from love is eternally simple.
- I now KNOW the importance that clarity of intention has in convening a group, the tone it sets, and the impact it has.
- I have become completely delighted with our tremendous diversity and the incredible gifts EACH human being has to contribute.
I have grappled with the despair over the seemingly insignificant difference that my actions make in the grand scheme of things. Blessedly, in a moment of deep stillness and sustenance at the Circle Practicum this summer, She-who-gives-all-life revealed quite simply and commandingly that my part is essential. Since then, I remain steadfast in my commitment to contribute my part in the evolution of our human consciousness, and not be undone by lack of progress or faith.
Today, I am neither hopeful nor despairing. I am committed (to add my part in the evolution of our human consciousness).
I have been hosting a circle or circles since July 2001 than meets once a month. The number of interested people at first dictated two circles, but now that we have begun "Stage Two" a single circle seems sufficient. Stage Two entails opening the circle to new people, every time if it happens. We just ask newcomers to come 15 minutes early I can give them a mini-tutorial and ask them to accept the four agreements.
The Chicago Circle has been going on a monthly basis, since Meg helped us kick it off about a year ago. Some members have left. Some have joined. There are 10 or so regulars, and we have not considered an ending date. Plans are underway to start a "Leadership and Faith" Circle at my church.
Michigan - Ann Arbor
Dear Circle Friends,Our From the Four Directions circle in Ann Arbor is coming to a close after nearly 2 years. We have had wonderful conversations, survived plenty of circle shadows and wobbles, and ultimately find our members enriched, changed and ready to transform this experience into some next expression of life-affirming leadership in their lives.
We opened our circle two summers ago with greetings and well wishes from many of you around the world. I would like to close the circle with that voice of the larger web - sharing messages from you appropriate to this time of transformation, closure and blessing. Send them to me at lisa.connors@sbcglobal.net
Five of us met in December and had a very open dialogue about our view of the world. Generally, we agreed that we wanted to continue to have a place to be able to talk about our feelings about our world and to explore our points of view in an open, accepting environment.We agreed to meet again in January.
Texas - Austin
(From Sheila Armitage, Participant)We have indeed been moved by the circle starter kit.
In our first meeting, which was in the meditation room of an interfaith center, Seton Cove, Audrey outlined the process and the kit contents, and threw open the meeting to the rest of us. I lit a candle and brought an artifact.
Flow: Audrey was adamant that she has just started the group and is not the leader. So, we just kept talking. We found that by talking about topics of passion, we were able to connect very quickly and have deeper conversation. Peace was a topic of deep interest to us all. We realized that we do not just want to keep talking, but that we want to take action. The energy was very high. The flow natural and not forced.
In our next meeting, we will review the video together, get our hands on the materials some more, and set up group agreements. In-between meetings, we are taking it in turns to hold onto the starter kit and read it individually. We have started a circle group journal for record keeping.
Group Cohesion: We were four women, and several more women and men could not attend the meeting due to conflicts in schedule. We think that the group will be ten people strong. Several of us had already read Meg's book as part of the book group that preceded the Dialogue group, several have been working with Dialogue concepts for a while, several knew each other, and we had one person new to us all. The new person, who knew no one, commented that she felt comfortable in the group and was discerning about which groups to be involved in. A more pure Dialoguer commented that the circle meeting flowed differently to other Dialogue meetings she has been in: we were able to bond faster, and engage in a topic of interest rather than sit in confused silence.
Utah - Provo
March 2003
(From Barbra Hoge, Participant)Leaders from a variety of backgrounds in and around Utah County have been meeting at Berkana Institute on the second and fourth Sunday for the past two months. Discussion has centered around the meaning of "life affirming" and "leadership" and what happens when they are combined. Discussion circle protocol such as use of the talking stick, checking in and out, identifying a host and a guardian of the circle space have provided new and meaningful skills in honing conversation effectiveness. March meetings will be held on the 9th and the 23rd at 7 p.m. preceded by 15 minutes of group meditation lead by Peg Hamilton, circle participant.
Utah - Salt Lake City
August 2002
(From Lila Davis, Host)From my process of being in the circle, I have found that there is a greater gift in listening and I have learned that the gift of listening to others is a gift that I can give daily.
Our circle was born with a bang on April 10, 2002 when our leadership circle began with 30 people. They showed up in response to a thoughtfully crafted email I sent out. I think it struck a nerve in people, a desire to be connected, to learn from each other, and to share their stories. In the beginning, many members expressed a desire to learn something and to have the circle give structure to and drive positive action in their lives. We all agreed though that we would honor the process and not try to make it something else; in other words lay our need to be goal oriented and task-centric to the wayside for six meetings. As a result, a very different experience has surfaced.
I look at our group a few days before our last meeting in the six-month cycle -- we ended up with about 12 people who have kept coming to experience and practice the true gold being offered through this process, which is being present with a group of people and, most of all, listening. In our time-conscious and driven culture of "results now" and our pervasive "what's in it for me" mentality, the simplicity of the circle practice proved to be challenging for people. What became apparent to me was that our sometimes pressing need to understand the benefit of a process before we commit, and our tendency to expect someone else to create that meaningful experience for us, leaves us pretty much closed to the possibility of what we could have contributed, deaf to the words that we might have spoken if we took a leadership role in our own experience.
The most important skill I think we practiced was listening. The nature of the circle practice we followed asked that a person speak only when they had possession of the talking stick and that the rest of the group just listened without interruption or questioning. It's hard to truly listen to another person while focusing on your own thoughts, judgments, and feelings about what another is saying, or focusing on what you are going to say. Waiting for your turn when the stick wants to take its time around the circle till it finally comes to you, gives the opportunity to be more spontaneous and in-the-moment with your response. I gained an appreciation for the discipline of quieting my thoughts and focusing on just purely listening to another - and I experienced the value of being heard by others. Truly being heard in a group is nurturing, healing, empowering, and life affirming. Perhaps one of our cultures shortcomings in America is that we have not really learned how to provide that deeper kind of listening. Maybe that's why so many of us are driven by an almost gnawing need to be heard.
Washington - Seattle
September 2002
(From Teresa Posakony, Regional Host)Hello all- I hope the summer has been a time of renewal for you. I look forward to the fall with heartfelt anticipation of seeing most of you.
Last June we named the ways we wanted to come together as a community, and how we would begin new circles. Now my curiosity surrounds who feels drawn to each of the initiatives and what roles are needed to support these efforts. Please carefully read about our upcoming initiatives/circles and let me know how you see yourself being involved!
Joining "continuing" circles: We will have 2 "continuing circle groups" for all of us who have completed the 7 week series of dialogs and want to be in a four directions group on an ongoing basis. The intention is to continue to gather in circle and support one another as life affirming leaders. We need two conveners/guardians for each of these circles. Groups will most likely meet monthly on a set night of the week. Please let me know if you'd like to be in one of these circles AND if you feel attracted to being the convener/guardian for one of the circles.
Starting New Circles: Meeting for those interested in this effort: Tuesday September 10th - 7pm at Steve Donaldson's Office - Our Lady of the Lake Church: 8900 35th Ave. NE Seattle--enter off of 89th into office space. We'll be starting and seeding circles in several forms. We're looking for the circle callers, hosts, and circle mentors among us to guide this effort. We'll BOTH be sending invitations out to our networks and trying to intentionally invite in diversity. The 3 formats we're trying are:1) "traditional" circles - Our traditional model is to have two circle callers convene and start the circle and the group stays together for a series of 7 conversations. Circle may stay together longer as well.
2) 1 day retreat startup for new circles followed by monthly meetings: Marla has tried a 1 day circle format with rave reviews and we'd like to try this to start up a four directions group followed by a monthly meeting time.
3) Support a circle with a circle "mentor" who joins the group for the first few meetings to help them get started then provides support/coaching as needed beyond that point.Urgent Africa: Peggy Cashatt has been staying in close contact with Shana Greene the executive director of Urgent Africa.over the summer and has laid the groundwork for those who's hearts were touched by Atieno's story at our June gathering to be connected in a "community of practice" in support of this effort. Please let Peggy know if you want to be involved or get information by contacting her at 425.378.3380, cybercashatt@hotmail.com. Also you can see the work of Urgent Africa by visiting http://urgentafrica.org/.
Growing our connection to Senegal, Cire, and Synapse: We desire to create a strong peer mentoring relationship between our circle and the Senegal Circle. Cire and SynapseCenter in Senegal are working with young leaders to try to create positive social change in their community and combat poverty by assisting young leaders and entrepreneurs to take the lead, start and grow their own initiatives. Several people in our community are in dialog w/Cire around the needs of Synapse. If you want to be involved this effort please let me know (Teresap@microsoft.com). Synapse website is almost up and running! I'll send the link to all interested in the week to come.
Wisconsin - Watertown
January 13, 2003
(From Sarah Halstead, Regional Host)Hello everyone,
I am so pleased to have heard from each of you and know of your interest in participating in a Conversation Circle in Wisconsin! I hope that you can join us on Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in Watertown for an informational meeting. (That seemed to be the most central location for our group, given our home/work addresses.) We are hoping to meet at the public library there, but there will be another email coming later to confirm the location and give driving directions. I just wanted to get you the information on the date, time and location, so you can fit it into your schedules.
This meeting will give us a chance to get to know each other a little bit, experience the conversation circle, hear a little more about From the Four Directions, and shape the future of our group in terms of structure, goals, etc. I am very excited about where this may lead us and taking some time to slow down and really listen to others' ideas. In our fast-paced world, that often seems left out. And I am confident that by doing so we will each grow and become more empowered to bring about positive change in our communities.
If you know of someone who you think would enjoy the Conversation Circle, feel free to extend an invitation to attend this meeting with you. We can benefit from all the life-affirming leaders who would enjoy participating. :)
Looking forward to meeting you all in February!