We have beautifully completed the exploration phase of Center Circle, and we are ready for a more structured and consistent experience that delivers on the values we have expressed. We are super excited to move forward in new and exciting directions!
The following changes to the structure are effective first meeting in April. Our intention is to keep things simple and work out help with administrative tasks and such, outside of circle time.
Our new meeting dates are 1st, 3rd, and 4th Sundays every month, 6pm- 8pm :) !
Established Structure Elements Going Forward:
1. Wear comfortable clothing. We may do some amount of movement in any given meeting.
2. Going deeper – an opportunity in every meeting to go deeper individually and as a group.
3. Improvisation – an element of Improv in every meeting to support creative and authentic personal expression.
4. A variety of exercises to include reflection, sharing, somatic, and art/creative experiences.
5. All meetings will be facilitated by Lori and Andreea the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. We are also joyfully offering the facilitation role to any of you, who for the sake of personal growth or out of love of sharing something of value with the circle, wish to take the opportunity to facilitate or present on the 4th Sunday of the month. On this day, we follow your instruction, and it can be as simple as sharing poetry together, watching a film, or as in depth of an experience as you wish.
6. As usual there will be no meeting on the 2nd as well as the last, or occasional 5th Sunday of the month.
Changes:
1. April 1st will be the last “open” meeting
2. April, May, June, July and August meetings will be closed to new members
3. Guests are welcome to “try out” circle during the months of March or September.
4. To become a member, one needs to be accepted by the group, with Lori and Andreea making the final decision on who is invited into the next 5 month series (October – February or April – August).
5. Cost is $ 150 per person for each five month period - payable during the “open” months of March and September; a second option is paying $30 per person per month, if that fits your budget more. (This covers the new fee of using the studio, materials, and compensation for a new level of facilitation and time on our part).
6. If unable to pay, contact Lori or Andreea. Alternative arrangements will be made on a case by case basis.
Center Circle’s Golden Rules:
The following are the things we’ve collected as essential elements for the group rules. We will do a check in with these during the last part of our next meeting and then they will officially be in effect!
~ Compassionate- nonviolent communication -- whatever the nature of the emotion shared (ranging from anger to joy), it is welcomed and supported in the circle as long as its communication is respectful to all who are present.
~ Agreement to be an honest witness -- if you observe a communication pattern in a circle member or members that seems like subtle or not so subtle bullying, please speak up about it, and we will address it together as a group.
~ Responsibility for one's self -- each person is encouraged to respectfully voice their needs, assumptions, or expectations, and is simultaneously encouraged to release the notion of being obligated to cater to others' needs more than their own.
~ Talking Stick -- picking up the talking stick means :
1) I wish to speak
2) Let me speak until I am complete
~ Enter and leave mindfully -- the circle can be a place of deep processing and sharing, please honor the sanctity and charged potential of the space we all create.
~ Sharing is Caring -- whether it's just a smile, a personal story, or a vulnerable passage - sharing who you are supports the expansion of trust within the circle - but please be true to yourself and do not share more than you are ready for.
We are so glad to share this time with you, and explore new levels of self and life whilst having each other’s support! See you all soon,
Lori and Andreea
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