Toolkit
Culture
Way of Council
What
This is an egalitarian way for groups and teams, independent of their official authority, can share their ideas freely and be fully heard. Council is a form, a way to engage in authentic communication and heartfelt sharing. The form of Council comes from indigenous peoples of North America and has roots to many other cultures around the world.
Why
The circle offers the human community an interpersonal gathering point inside which we may courageously listen to each other, speak our truths, and act with clear intention.
How
Set up. To start a circle, somebody needs to set an intention (content, mission, or direction), offer basic structure, and be ready to model circle skills while others become accustomed to how a circle works. This person is the caller of the circle, sometimes called the circle host. A circle may be held one time or meet many times over a period of months or years. In ongoing circles, the host role rotates so that responsibility for the group is shared among members. The caller needs a talking stick/totem, a place to sit in a circle, chairs and and something to place in the center. The center of a circle is like the hub of a wheel: all energies pass through it, and it holds the rim together. To help people remember how the hub helps the group, the center of a circle usually holds objects that represent the intention of the circle. Any symbol that fits this purpose or adds beauty will serve: flowers, a bowl or basket, a candle. Choose something fairly simple that suits the environment, honors local culture, or symbolically represents group intention.
Welcome or Start-point: Once people have gathered, it is helpful for the host, or any volunteer participant, to begin the circle with a gesture that shifts people’s attention from social space to council space. This gesture of welcome may be a moment of silence, reading a poem, singing a song, or listening to a musical interlude–whatever invites a sense of calm presence. The caller tells the the circle that everyone can speak, in turn, when the “talking stick” is passed to them. When not speaking, everyone consciously listens and energetically fully receives the speaker.
Check-in/Greeting– Check-in helps people into a frame of mind for council and reminds everyone of their commitment to the expressed intention. It insures that people are truly present in mind as well as in body. To check-in with a new circle, people may say their names and offer a brief self-introduction. To check-in with an ongoing circle, people may speak briefly about their hopes for the meeting, offer other social comment, or share anecdotal stories about their lives. Some circles enjoy the tradition of having each person place an object in the center that represents him or herself in the meeting. As each person contributes an object (or a thought) to center he/she may tell a brief story about what the object represents and what it means to bring it.
Intention: The caller introduces the intention of the circle.
Agreements: The caller introduces the agreements. The use of agreements creates an interpersonal container that allows all members to have a free and profound exchange, to respect a diversity of views, and to share responsibility of the well-being and direction of the group. The caller asks the group’s permission to intercede in group process for the purpose of calling the circle back to center, to focus on the issue or topic, to remind people of respectful practices or agreements, or to suggest a rest break.
Three Principles. The caller introduces the three principles.
- Leadership rotates
- Responsibility is shared
- Place ultimate responsibility on inspiration, or spirit
Three Practices. The caller introduces the three practices.
- Speak with intention
- Listen with attention
- Tend to the well-being of the circle
The caller begins the council with the talking stick, shares something, then once finished, places the talking stick in the center of the circle. The next person who wants to speak goes to the center of the circle to pick up the talking stick, returns to seats, shares, and then places the talking stick back in the center.
Check-out. Allow a few minutes for each person to comment on what they learned, or what stays in their heart and mind as they leave. Closing the circle by checking out provides a formal end to the meeting, a chance for members to reflect on anything that has transpired, and to pick up objects if they have placed something in the center.
Tips and Traps
Circle is not a dogmatic form. Each circle will develop its own unique personality and style. The circle structure has proven its strength and adaptability from the first campfires of our ancestors to the global age. Each circle contributes to this long-held human tradition through the practices of listening, speaking, and thoughtful action.
Riffs and Variations
This information is like the bone structure of council, and every circle will embody this structure in its own way. Circle is a dynamic, living form of meeting. Alternate Forms of Council
Conversation Council—freer form of council that allows reaction, interaction or interjection of ideas, but with the ability to pause and gather thoughts.
Reflection Council– gives each member time and space to reflect on what is occurring, or needs to occur, in the course of a meeting. Silence may be called so that each person can consider the role or impact they are having on the group, or to help the group realign with their intention, or to sit with a question until there is clarity.
by Montaia