The study circle organizer is the
creator of a study circle. The organizer selects the print (or video) material that
provides the framework and the substance for discussions (if this is not already done by
the program's sponsoring organization), recruits participants, chooses the study circle
discussion leader, and attends to all the logistical details surrounding the group's
meetings. The organizer sets the tone for the program and must convey its purpose and
goals to the leader and to the participants.
If you have organized a public program or a group
activity of any kind, you can organize a study circle. Of course, the task will be easier
if you are involved with an organization from which participants can be drawn.
There is no one model for organizing a study circle:
shape the program in your community to meet the needs of the sponsoring organization and
the participants. While the following suggestions are appropriate for most situations,
special circumstances may call for modifications.
Selecting reading material
Some study circle programs have material that is
expressly tailored to their purposes. However, many study circles use readings or videos
that are not prepared with the particular interests and goals of your group in mind. You
can easily make such material more interesting and useful for the members of your study
circle. Some suggestions:
 | Add discussion questions that emphasize the way
the issue affects your community or organization.
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| Use op-eds, letters-to-the-editor, or short
articles from a local newspaper or your organization's newsletter.
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| Ask participants to bring relevant clippings.
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| Contact people in your community C such as
teachers, cooperative extension agents, or public officials C who have an interest in
the issue and may be able to share materials.
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| Ask the Study Circles Resource Center for
assistance. SCRC maintains a clearinghouse list of discussion material on many issues,
developed by a variety of organizations. SCRC can also help you develop reading material
suitable for specific discussion programs.
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Remember, the reading material is important, but a
good study circle does not require original or top-quality, professional-looking material.
The key ingredients of a successful study circle are the leader's skill and the
participants' energy and commitment to the program.
Recruiting participants for your study circle
Personal contact is the key to successful
recruiting. Invitations are most effective when they are made on a personal basis: the key
is conveying to potential participants that they have unique contributions to make to the
discussions. Be sure to explain the goals of the study circle, and ask people to make a
commitment to attend each session, not only for the sake of continuity, but also to create
a high level of familiarity and comfort within the group.
If initial response is small, it may be better to
begin the study circle rather than waiting for more people to sign up. Ask participants to
invite others. Try to get publicity in the local media or your organization's newsletter.
Once the study circle is rolling, others are likely to hear about it and become
interested.
Selecting the leader
Choosing the leader may be the most important
decision that the organizer makes. A poor leader can ruin a study circle and a good one
can make it a wonderful experience. The most important consideration in selecting a leader
should be his or her skill and experience in leading discussions. Try to assess how the
person would handle the most difficult aspects of leading a study circle. Would she keep
discussion focused? Could he draw out the quiet people and restrain the aggressive ones?
If the person you are considering for the role of
study circle leader has not been part of a training program, you will need to describe
your program and explain how a study circle works. Be sure to share this handbook with
your potential discussion leader.
Organizing the meetings
Find a meeting place that has minimal distractions
and where participants can chat informally following the sessions. Someone's living room
or a meeting room in an office or church can all be appropriate places.
The organizer must decide C preferably with
input from the participants C on the date and time for the sessions. Most groups
choose evening sessions, but some find that early morning or weekend gatherings are more
convenient.
Unless reading material is very brief, participants
should receive it several days in advance of the first session. You should also distribute
ahead of time any introductory material about study circles or about the sponsoring
organization.
Establishing feedback mechanisms
Once the study circle actually begins, the
organizer's role becomes secondary to the leader's. However, the organizer is in the best
position to provide feedback to the leader. For multi-session programs, you may want to
conduct an evaluation at the end of each meeting, or at least at the halfway point and at
the end of the study circle. By taking part in the study circle and being available before
and after the sessions, the organizer can learn about any problems and help the leader
correct them before the next session.
Be sure to share your study circle story with the
Study Circles Resource Center so that it can be documented as part of a growing trend.
Your comments on what went well and how you plan to modify future programs will help the
SCRC staff advise others who are conducting similar programs. |