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STARTING A STUDY CIRCLE IS SIMPLE

HOW IT WORKS | EDUCATION FOR ACTION | CURRICULUM IN BRIEF
START A STUDY CIRCLE | ORDER THE CURRICULUM CD

I. Step One: Learn How the Program Works

If you haven't already done so, download our introductory materials to learn more about the goals, content and logistics of the Roots of Change program.

Click here to download the 'Introduction to the Programme and Materials'
Includes introductory material, the curriculum outline, synopsis and reading list.

Click here to download the 'Introduction to the Group Process'

II. Step Two: Forming a Group

Once you have read the introductory materials it's time to form a group. (If you already have one, skip ahead to Step Three). The goal at this stage is to find 6-12 people who are interested in joining your Roots of Change study circle. There are many ways to go about the recruitment process. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Invite friends and family and ask them to invite others in turn.
Are there groups you already belong to, or that you'd like to join (such as church or work groups, neighbourhood councils, book clubs, or activist groups)? Invite them to participate in a study circle.
Ask your local farmers' market organisers if you can set up a recruitment table at the weekly market.
Post the Roots of Change recruitment flyers around town (download).
You might start with local co-ops, churches, schools, community centres, coffee shops, credit unions or your place of work.
Organise a film screening on a topic covered in the curriculum. ISEC can send you a DVD of our films Ancient Futures or Paradise with Side Effects (for purchase or loan if you request it). Organizing a screening can be a way to generate interest and enrol participants into your study group. Our films nicely complement the material in the modules, but other films work well too (download our evolving 'Films for Change' list here)
Contact your community radio station. Find out how to record a Public Service Announcement inviting people to join your study circle.
Submit an announcement to local newspapers or newsletters.
Contact local universities, colleges or community centres to see if they have continuing education programs that you could partner with.

Once you have managed to attract at least 6 interested individuals to your study circle, it's time to organise the first gathering! (Step Three)

Recruitment materials:

Click here to download ‘Ideas for Recruitment'

Click here to download the ‘Roots of Change Recruitment Poster’

Click here to download the brochure now (US 8.5” x 11”; UK A4 version coming soon)

Or, Send us an email requesting copies of our Roots of Change brochure:

III. Step Three: Organising the First Gathering

Introductory Meeting

Once you have managed to attract at least 6 individuals to join your study circle, you'll need to organise the first gathering. During this meeting a designated facilitator or two (this will probably be your role in the beginning) will introduce the program and distribute the introductory materials.

How you run the meeting is entirely up to you. We have found that the following format can work well:

If you haven't already shown one of ISEC's films during the recruitment process, you might begin the meeting by showing either the Ancient Futures or Paradise with Side Effects DVD as an introduction to the issues. Be sure to allow a short time for discussion following the film.
Hand out the following documents to each person (note: these documents are downloadable above):

*'Introduction to the Program & Materials'
*'Introduction to the Group Process'

It's a good idea for the facilitator to have read these thoroughly before the meeting. You may wish to summarise the information for the group and then give everyone ten minutes or so to sit and read the documents.
After the group has read and discussed the introductory materials you can assess everyone's interest. Hopefully you will have a core group ready to commit to starting the study circle. There may be a few people who want to think about it more, but as long as there are about five or six 'definites,' you are ready to go.
Hand out the following documents to those ready to commit. It's a good idea for everyone to read these before the first official gathering dedicated to Module 1.

Click here to download the 'Introduction to the Group Process'

Click here to download the 'Guidelines for Facilitators'

Click here to download the 'Guidelines for Participants'

Before you end the meeting, you'll need to discuss the following questions:

When will the first meeting be held?
Who will act as co-ordinator (if you do not wish to do this)?
How often, where, when and for how long will your study group meet (you may choose to be flexible about this)?
Will you have a fixed or rotating discussion facilitator at each meeting?
Will the group be open or closed to new members joining?
How will you organise the distribution of the reading materials?

Most groups spend one meeting discussing each module or sub-module. You will need to decide how many articles you are prepared to read for each meeting (remember, there's no rush). If certain individuals in your group have limited time, they can choose to read one of the abridged 'tracks' through the curriculum that better suits their needs.

IV. Step Four: Register Your Group and Order the Roots of Change CD!

Once a group is formed, the coordinator/initiator will be asked to fill out participant and group registration forms and send them to our office in the USA (ISEC USA, PO Box 9475, Berkeley CA 94709, USA), and send us a check.

Click here to download the ‘Group and Participant Registration Forms’.

Fee. We do charge participants a small amount to join the programme in order to help offset some of ISEC’s production, administration and mailing costs. The fee (US$50/£30 for the full group) can be paid by you individually, or divided among group members. NOTE: We are willing to consider reducing or eliminating the fee for those unable to cover the cost. Please send a short letter explaining your needs.

Ordering the Roots of Change Curriculum CD

To order the complete curriculum CD, send us and email at: