1. A Guide to NeighborCircles at Lawrence CommunityWorks
Alma Couverthie, Presenter
Audrey Jordan, Co-presenter
October 26, 2010
GRGM Webinar

2. Welcome!

3. Agenda NeighborCircles-Overview 1st Dinner
Lunch- Conversation with NeighborCircle hosts and facilitators
2nd Dinner
3rd Dinner
Next Steps

4. Desired outcomes

5. Quick Guide to NeighborCircles

6. What is a NeighborCircle?
3 dinners where neighbors get to:
Know each other
Talk about the quality of life in the neighborhood, and
If the group wants, plan a small action or event that can help make and strengthen new relationships, while addressing an issue that the neighbors care about.

7. What a NeighborCircle is not
A neighborhood association/club/crime watch generator-form follows function
A project/activity generator
A strategy to deliver an already set agenda - NeighborCircles is the process and participants put the content

8. Why we do NeighborCircles?
To rebuild the fabric of our communities
To connect and support each other
To identify leaders or potential leaders
To make friends
To act together around a common purpose
To have fun!

9. Who is a NeighborCircle?
The Facilitator
The Host
The Neighbors
The Organizer

10. Getting ready Organizer: Recruits and trains Facilitators and Hosts.
Secure the necessary equipment.
Meets with Organizer and Facilitator to set date and prepare logistics.
Host:
Invite neighbors.
Send reminders or do reminder calls.
Set up the room (with Facilitators help.)
Prepare light appetizers.

11. Getting ready (cont) Facilitator:
Works with the Organizer to identify and recruit hosts.
Work with Host to recruit participants.
Helps host get ready to host.
Neighbors:
Showing up and being present!

12. 1st. Dinner Welcome Logistics Map exercise
Food, fun, good conversation
Assign “homework” for next dinner

13. Prepare for 2nd Dinner Debrief with Facilitator, Host and Organizer
Do reminder calls
Prepare for dinner (or potluck)

14. 2nd Dinner Welcome Review of last dinner Brainstorming activity
Good discussion about quality of life
Find common ground
If the group wants, decide on an issue to work together to be planed at the third dinner (or they can plan a social activity)
Issue should be very specific
The group can do something to address it
Can be done in a short period of time
The group has, or can identify where to find resources.

15. Consensus is not a unanimous vote
Consensus means finding a proposal or solution that everyone is willing to support, even if they don’t agree with it.
Consensus is not a unanimous vote
“It isn’t exactly what I want but I can live with the decision and support it.”

16. Prepare for 3rd dinner Debrief with Facilitator, Host, and Organizer
If there is willingness from the group to continue, review issues identified by the group as possible action items
Look for information of resources that may help the group
Do reminder calls
Prepare for dinner or potluck

17. 3rd Dinner Welcome Object exercise Review notes from last dinner
Smaller groups develop an action plan
Groups come back together, present and choose the best option.
Set next steps
Celebrate new friendships and pledge to continue the relationships

18. Q&A