tools to conduct connection circles1 december16

This presentation is intended as a training tool for Connection Circle Workshop facilitators & moderators

Conducting the Circle

What is the Connection Circle?

The Connection Circle is a method for discovering our connectedness and the great benefits that come with this discovery.

It helps us to work more as a group and less as individuals, thereby creating unity.

Connection is the purpose of the circle.

Connection Circle Workshops can be used on 3 levels to achieve connection; from strangers getting accainted, converting to friendships, and conflict resolution.

Games Connection CirclesRound Tables

Games are fun! When people hear (or read) the word game they have an immediate expectation to enjoy.You can use any game that promotes the spirit of togetherness and collaboration, without invoking competition.

We use games here primarily as an ice-breaker to strengthen the bonds between us, creating unity.

Games

Connection Circles

The Connection Circle is a simple and effective tool to create warmth and a sense of harmony among us.

Circles are not group therapy.

They are a means to finding the commonality we all share as human beings, to discover the benefits of diversity, and in general, to making people friends.

They are non-intrusive and do not require participants to open up on topics they prefer to keep to themselves.

Round Tables

The Round Table format is a specialized form of Connection Circle intended primarily as a means for resolving conflicts.

The Round Table helps bring people closer together and dissolve the animosity that people in conflicts often harbor toward one another.

Once this is achieved, the problem that caused the dispute in the first place often vanishes.

Do's and Donts of Building Workshop Questions

1. Start with general questions and become more specific as you go along.2. Every question should aim toward positive connections.3. Choose questions that evoke positive emotions.4. Form the questions so that everyone can equally ellaborate on them.

Do's:

1. Avoid questions that can be interpreted negatively.2. Dont overload the workshop with too many questions. For a great half-hour workshop, or even longer, 5-6 questions will do.3. Avoid questions that encourage both positive and negative reactions.4. Don't use questions with yes or no answers.

Dont's:

The Rules of the Game

The Connection Circle rules are few, simple, reasonable, and intended to promote unity and warmth among the participants.


1. Equality In the circle. No one is more important or less important; everyone is equal, and very important.2. Stay on Topic. Everyone strives to stay focused on the topic at hand.3. Listen to the others in the circle. Listen attentively to the person whose turn it is. Try to feel and understand the view of that person as if we were that person.4. Speak only during your turn and without interrupting another participant.


5. At our turn, we will add our own view. Think of the discussion as a warming fire on a cold night in the woods. All the participants are working to keep the flames burning, and each adds his or her piece of wood to the fire. The pieces may be very different, but they all add to the common purpose of sustaining the warming flame. There should be no arguments, criticism, or judgmental statements, even if we disagree.

5. Set a time limit. Ideally, a speaker should take no more than one minute before passing on the torch to the next speaker.

Facilitator/Moderator Guidelines

Workshop rules are a general guideline, and not rules in the strictest sense. Above everything else, the goal is to encourage connection, warmth, and a sense of unity.

When you need to move on to the next person in the circle, if a participant has spoken too long, do it gently. Give people time to express themselves, but dont let them make speeches that will give them control over the discussion and prevent an even, smooth flow.

Establish a speaking order of participants.

Alphabetically, reverse alphabetical, or let each friend call who will come after them and then write the order in the chat so that the group never has to stop a workshop answer to call the next person.



In general, the best strategy when correcting someone who is not keeping the rules of discussion is to approach the issue indirectly.

Correct the flow in a way that does not point the finger at any one in particular.

Remind participants of the workshop rules at some point during the conversation.

When participants have completed a circle, ask them to remind us of the rules of discussion. Say, Lets each remind us of one rule.

In short, the rule of thumb regarding the rules of the workshop is Be gentle, sensitive, yet assertive.


Facilitator & Moderator Guidelines

Flow of the Circle

1. Play a game (optional)2. Conduct a workshop3. Share impressions (optional but highly recommended))

The goal of the game is to create warmth and break the ice. You are welcome to use the games and topics suggested here, or any other activities and games that bring people closer without evoking competition.

GamesWarm-upsIce Breakers


Once youve played a game or two, and the people in the circle are smiling and ready for more, its time to give them a real taste of connection.

5-6 questions in the workshop is plenty. If you've reached a point of profound closeness among the people in the circle after only 30 minutes and four questions, no problem, move on to the sharing phase. Its best if people leave with a taste for more, than if they come out with a sense that they have experienced everything the Connection Circle has to offer..


Concluding the Circle

This is the part when people share their emotions.If all flows naturally, simply let this sharing happen as a natural extension of the final question.

You can also play this part by suggesting that we play the wishing game, where you ask each participant to answer a question, such as What do I wish for myself and for all of us or What do I take with me from this circle today, what thoughts, impressions, or emotions?


Concluding the Circle

In the end, remember to thank your friends for having this circle with you, and refer them to other Integral Education events where they can find many more circles, related materials, and live circles to join.

Thank you