Use this Circle Facilitator Guide with students, teams, and community members to practice expressing affect to learn how to build healthy, authentic relationships with others.
Welcome to the Space of the Circle.
MINDFULNESS MOMENT Pause, breathe, and listen to the sound.
OPENING
”Once we recognize what it is we are feeling,
once we recognize we can feel deeply, love deeply, can feel joy,
then we will demand that all parts of our lives produce that kind of joy.”
– Audre Lorde
INTRODUCE "ROUNDS" A "round" is a pass of the talking piece around the Circle. The keeper poses a question and, as a participant, may answer first. The keeper then passes the talking piece to the person to their left or right (or names the next person over Zoom). On the first round, participants are invited to say their name and pronouns as well as respond to the question. Remember, it is always okay for a participant to pass.
Remind the group of Circle values and guidelines. These can be ones established in previous circles or be created new each time with new participants. Some helpful sharing guidelines may include:
Share what you feel comfortable sharing.
Respect the talking piece
You can pass at any time.
Be mindful of time.
Respect the privacy of those sharing.
Trust intent/name impact
Use “I” statements
Speak from the heart/listen from the heart
Be here now
Prioritize connection before content
Be both teachers and learners
Have fun!
ROUND Share your name, pronouns and why is it important that you are here right now?
ROUND What is your “emotional weather report” right now? Using a weather pattern to describe how you’re feeling…
ROUND What does it mean for you to reflect on your emotions when you are in public settings (workplace, with acquaintances, in spaces like this)?
PRACTICE Use the following template to practice sharing affective statements, perhaps by reframing typical comments in response to behavior
ROUND Why is it important to share how others actions impact you? Are there risks?
ROUND What may be some advantages or costs to not sharing?
ROUND What support and resources do you need to be and share authentically in these different spaces?
CHECK-OUT ROUND What are some intentions or commitments you are leaving this space with?
CLOSING Listen and reflect on the video below from the movie Encanto
Thank everyone for participating in the Circle!