Learn More about Being a TSG Circle Leader

1. What is a Learning Circle:

   1. Circles –Everybody Learns. Everybody Teaches.

   2. The TSG Learning Circle is a self-directed group of peers with a shared interest in mastering self-governance for themselves and in their homes. Part support group, part study circle, part lifeline to change.

   3. Learning Circles are a powerful way to grow and change with support and feedback of others who are on a similar path a yourself. TSG found that face to face discussion and support improved individuals and families success in implementing principles of self government.

2. TSG Circles Goal:

   1. Accelerate growth towards greater self-governance –have you noticed,people achieve more with a circle of friends with a same goal than without.

   2. Deeper discussion for shifts in thinking, ah-ha moments, constructive feedback

   3. Friends to whom you can be accountable for the goals you make each month (like having a circle of accountability coaches)

3. How is this Accomplished?

   1. Discussion with a small circle of people with a similar goal.

   2. Participants in Circles find that over time these people often become your best and most honest advocates.

4. How many people should be in the Circle?

   1. Many Seasoned Learning Circle Experts say 5-12 people is a good number.

   2. Why? Enough to have a lively discussion and hear different viewpoints and few enough to give everyone a chance to discuss the topic. If your circle consists of couples, you may want the number to start at 6, or even 8. Some Circles have as many as 15 participants, but it seems rare, as the meetings get too long or some feel the sharing becomes shallow.

5. How often should we meet?

   1. We recommend once a month for 90 minutes to two hours for the discussion, enough time to discuss and make action decisions without belaboring the topic.

   2. Some circles choose to add a potluck to the meeting which extends the time. Circles can be flexible that way, .

6. Where should we meet?

   1. Meet at a location where you can preferably sit comfortably in a circle, and the view of each participant is unobstructed. Homes often work best, though some circles meet in libraries, community centers, even (quiet) restaurants. Some also rotate homes. The choice is yours.

   2. Other considerations:

      1. Just remember, the most important thing is that you have enough room for participants to sit comfortably in a circle with an unobstructed view of each other. (This may limit the size of the circle…so it’s important to decide first where you will meet).

      2. Also participants with small children may wish to host the meeting at their home in the evening after kids are in bed to avoid the cost of a babysitter.

      3. Flexibility and meeting the needs of your group will help choose a location that is comfortable and works for your circle.

7. What time of day should we meet?

   1. The time of day depends on your group. Some meet mid-day, letting little ones play while they discuss (especially if it is a circle of stay or work from home parents). Others meet in the evening after kids are in bed. Some meet for dinner each month and discuss afterward, making it a long evening out.

   2. The needs of your Circle’s participants will help you decide the time of day that will work best.

8. What content is used for discussions?

   1. TSG provides monthly articles online to be read and discussed. Optional support materials are also listed (audios, even videos –some may require implementation course membership or support group membership to access)

   2. TSG also provides a list of Discussion questions for the monthly facilitator to use for the discussion.

   3. Possible actions or challenges of the month are also provided that can help each member become more self governing in their own lives and in turn, have a more self-governing home.

   4. Here is a rough outline of the planned topics (note: these may change a little as needed while we are in the development phase this first year 2013-2014).

• The Power of Self Governance (inspirational…some beginning steps) Vision – Create a Personal vision of being a self governing adult
• Heart vs. Body and the Puppet Mind (mind = puppet for heart and body) Natural Man vs. Spirit –applying it in our personal life….
• SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND: How do I listen? (communication skills -parrot back -reflective listening, etc…-skills) & seeking to understand
• Life gives us “no” answers. How do we handle them? (touch on Power of Calm & Noticing)
• the Skill of Noticing (non-emotional –detached noticing/ noticing from the heart) -noticing our own behavior, our kids, etc….
• Personal Vision of Self-Governance –with Self-Assessment
• Power of Calm – create my calm plan (how to handle tough moments…)
• problem solving -how do I do it in relationships and life….is there a better way?
• How do I show love? Love languages, touch, looking in eye (skills)
• Expectations (of self) and change in becoming a self-governing adult -allowing for time & mistakes
• Am I a source of joy? of fun? (Do I build relationships of trust or break them down?) –self assessment here on this…. (FAMILY FUN)
• My Parenting/Person Style –CPR
• Trust & Connection…how do I show it? how do I feel it in my heart (self-assessment here for this)

9. I want to start a Circle. How do I begin?

   1. TSG Self-Governance Circles can be started by ANYONE who is a member of the TSG community (you’ve registered and are receiving newsletters, you’ve read House United and are trying to implement it in your home). It is often helpful for leaders to also be on the implementation course, but it is not necessary for Self-Governance Circles.

   2. Being a Support Group Member is encouraged, but not required.

      1. Why? There is much valuable information that is sent weekly to support group members that will help you contribute more effectively to your Circle. It is also good to encourage Circle members to be Support Group Members, so that you are all “on the same page”, and receiving extra support from TSG to becoming more self-governing.

      2. Read more about Support Circles HERE.

   3. NEXT: Agree to the Terms and Conditions

   4. NEXT: Register as a TSG Circle Leader. Members also register, but they register as a Member, not a leader –We’ll get into that later.

      1. Why? Leaders will be able to list their groups as an “open” or “closed” group. Open groups are listed online, and they can indicate if they are looking for new members or not. Closed groups are not listed online.

      2. The other reason we need leaders registered is because the TSG Circle Director or Nicholeen Peck will contact you (the leader) and ask for feedback, what your needs are, etc. The Leader is the Circle’s contact with the Nicholeen and her team.

   5. THEN Listen to and read the TSG Circle Leader Training. (You'll recieve an email confirming your registration, then you'll have access to all the training, articles, etc. by going to "Circles" under the "Coummunity" tab.)

   6. AND start your circle.

We’re excited you are joining us in this adventure of uniting families through self-government!

TSG Circles are new and your constructive feedback as a Circle Leader will help shape the TSG Circles into the powerful tool to help parents and families be self-governing individuals that are united and happy with a circle of friends who understand, are honest, and support the Self-Governance that is practiced and taught, and ultimately mastered.