How it Works

A group of eight to twelve people, from a workplace, center of faith, neighborhood, service organization or a community, come together for eight or nine gatherings for lively discussion around weekly themes. Themes are from a course book, about 100 to 150 pages, which contains a diverse collection of short essays, articles, and book excerpts.

Introductory Meeting

At an introductory meeting, a Sustain Dane volunteer will give a presentation about selected discussion course to a group of interested people. The volunteer describes the purpose, process and content of the selected course. People can sign up (if not previously signed up) and get a course book. The group will select a time and place for the first session (if not previously scheduled). Download a handout to provide prospective coworkers, fellow parishioners, neighbors or friends.

First Session

Another Sustain Dane volunteer will be present at the first session to get the group off to a good start. The volunteer will give an example which might be a personal story related to the first chapter, and will then demonstrate how to facilitate a session. Each participant reads the first chapter of the workbook before the session, and this is the basis of the discussion. The main role of the facilitator is to make sure everybody is given opportunities to speak, and to keep the focus of the discussion personal and somewhat on topic.

Regular Sessions

Each session is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours in length, but the group may decide to go longer if it wishes. Optimally, discussions occur weekly; however, every two weeks works also. There is approximately 1 hour of reading to do in preparation for each discussion session.

During the session, course participants address evocative questions about the topic of each discussion book chapter. These questions are included at the beginning of each chapter and are designed to help participants examine and create discussion, not achieve consensus, around personal values and personal habits in relation to our Earth. Except for the first session, sessions are opened and facilitated by members of the group on a rotating basis.

At each session, course participants are encouraged to share practical advice for both individuals and groups to further their understanding of the issues and become more active in the local community.

Celebration

The last session is an informal celebration. If the group wishes, they can invite back the volunteer that was there at the first session. This gives the volunteer an opportunity to gather valuable feedback from the group to be used for improvements of the course. The group can also decide if they want to continue to meet, as many do, and if they want to do this through informal gatherings, a reading circle, another study course, or do something else such as getting involved in the Rain Barrel Project, forming an EnAct Team or joining NeighborNation.net.

If you want to start a course in your neighborhood, center of faith or workplace, contact Sustain Dane at info@sustaindane.org or call 608.819.0689. We will guide you through the process and provide support and information to get you started.