Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Sharing Circles

[Mac & Sandy Thomson (ganesh]

On 10/13/02,  Marjorie Wholey wrote:

> I have been reading the archives about sharing circles and would like
> more information to give to my group. If your group has a non-business
> meeting which is focused on the members' exploration of emotional
> responses to life in cohousing, would you be willing to tell me the
> following:
> 
> 1. How often does this meeting occur?

Our sharing circle is called our 'Meeting of the Hearts' and we hold it once
per month.  The idea behind our Meetings of the Hearts is to help increase
the emotional sharing and intimacy of the neighborhood.  That's an end unto
itself, but we also hope that by being more emotionally connected and
knowing each other's stories, we will operate wisely in making community
decisions and simply getting along as neighbors.

During the meetings, folks usually talk about personal stuff, but many also
talk about community stuff.
 

> 2. Is it a regular event or scheduled as needed?

We meet regularly, but also schedule additional 'fireside chats' as needed.
The purpose of the 'fireside chats' usually has more to do with exploring
the emotional side of community issues without any real attempt to 'solve'
the issue.  Once the emotional side of the issue is well aired, we usually
have better success at the business meeting at reaching a decision about the
issue.


> 3. Is there a facilitator?

There's a facilitator of sorts, but for the most part the facilitator has
very little involvement.  They open the meeting, announce the topic if there
is one (usually not), and close the meeting.


> 4. What is the format?
> 5. Do you have guidelines for participation at this meeting?

Typically we use a talking staff (whoever holds the staff has the floor).
When someone is moved to talk they pick up the staff and have as long as
they want to say what they want.  We usually don't have a topic and folks
simply talk about whatever is 'up for them'.  Generally we don't respond to
someone else's comments unless they specifically ask for a response.  We
simply listen deeply and hold them in our hearts.


> 6.. What percentage of your community attends?

Maybe about 30% of the adults -- about the same as our business meetings.


-- 
Mac Thomson

Heartwood Cohousing
http://www.heartwoodcohousing.com


"Only those willing to go too far will know how far they can really go."
    - Chuck Yeager

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