Circles of Change bring together small groups of diverse activists and concerned citizens for the purpose of building community and exploring the four core strategies for building a diverse movement.
- CONNECTING WITH SPIRIT
Acknowledging spirit is a conscious recognition of our wholeness, interdependence, and interconnection to all life on earth. Integrating this understanding of spirit into social justice work brings forward what inspires and sustains us.
- HEALING FROM DIVISIONS: BUILDING A DIVERSE MOVEMENT
Being in diverse community is essential to making broad-based change in the U.S. to enjoy the privilege and responsibility of being in diverse community; people are called to recognize that we share both a common humanity and particular social identities, which accord power in unbalanced ways. Bridging this power divide is at the heart of healing divisions.
- COLLECTIVE VISIONING FOR A POSITIVE FUTURE
Vision is a foundation for action. The work of visioning has an intrinsic connection to action for change – a continuum that includes personal change work, relationship and community building, and direct political action to enact systemic change. Collective visioning supports the work on all these levels. As we work to change ourselves, create our concrete images of a positive future, and vision collectively, we are taking steps toward change enacted on a societal scale.
- ACTION FOR DEEP AND LASTING CHANGE
Action for deep and lasting change includes organizing and direct action, as well as supporting the psychological, physical, and spiritual health of activists and our movement as a whole. Spaces are needed for doing the less dramatic forms of activism, such as self-care, trust and relationship building, and the examination of strategy and development of new social change tools.
Who are Circles for?
Circles are for anyone who is working for peace and seeking justice. Circles bring together people from different backgrounds with particular attention to diversity in terms of spirit perspectives, identities, and issues addressed in political activism. Spirit in Action only works in multi-racial teams, (our goal is 50% people of color) and other identities (ethnicity, class, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, etc. and in the case of a national group, geographic and issue diversity) in every program and training.
Why join a Circle?
Circles benefit both individuals and the work of change making as a whole. Circles support personal growth and increased confidence for taking action. Circles also support participants to develop their unique gifts and provide participants with tools to make their visions possible. Having more skilled and confident leaders for change increases the effectiveness of the work across the country.
Who Leads the Circles?
Circles of Change are co-facilitated by diverse and experienced Leaders who are part of Spirit in Action’s Leadership Program. They receive extensive training as well as support to carry out their work.
How can I become involved with Circles of Change?
People can join Circles as participants or become facilitators by developing their leadership skills. The 5 day trainings for facilitators are held 2-3 times per year on both the east and west coasts. Contact Spirit in Action for more information at 413-256-4612.
