Start your own Ben Franklin Circle

6 session online class

 

The flexibility and autonomy that BFC gives you as a Host doesn’t mean you have to figure it all out on your own or wait until your first meeting to feel a sense of community.

 

We are excited to announce that we will be kicking off something new this July – an online course in starting a Ben Franklin Circle! (New to Ben Franklin Circles? Visit our homepage.)

Have you considered hosting but first want to familiarize yourself with the format? Or want a little more guidance on how to make it a success? Join us for this opportunity to go through the process with a small cohort of other hosts who are also just beginning. Over six sessions, you’ll assemble your group, plan and hold your first meeting, and get real-time feedback along the way. By the end, you’ll have your Circle up-and-running and have a community of peers to turn to for support and inspiration as you go.

Like everything BFC, you can think of what is offered like an outfit that you try on, keep what you like, let go of the rest, and as always, include your own style.

How will it work?

Starting Thursday, July 25th, 6 one-hour zoom video sessions will walk participants through the process of starting a circle. Led by experienced Ben Franklin Circle Host, Kim Crowley, each session is a chance to share your progress, workshop questions and exchange feedback on everything from location to the plan for your first meeting.

Who is it designed for?

This course is for those who:

  • Have decided to start a Ben Franklin Circle.
  • Will organize their Circle as we go.
  • Will host a first meeting in the Fall of 2019. The class will set you up to do this. Those with earlier start dates are also welcome!
  • Plan to attend all 6 sessions.
  • Are open to receiving and giving thoughtful feedback.

Schedule

Every other Thursday from 7:00-8:00 pm EST (6:00 CT, 5:00 MT, 4:00 PT)

Session 1: July 25th
Talking about BFC and recruiting members

Session 2: August 8th
Outreach and invitations

Session 3: August 22nd
Location, scheduling & engagement

Session 4: September 5th
Recruitment check-in

Session 5: September 19th
Plan for 1st meeting

Session 6: Nov 7th
Check-in, recap and celebrate!

Registration   

Our July 25th class is currently full. However, we are accepting waitlist registrations and may be able to provide additional class options in the future. Please fill out the application form below to be added to the waitlist and to be notified of future opportunities. 

Complete an application form and sign up HERE 

Fee: None. This is a free course. And, we are excited to offer a complimentary copy of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, to class participants (see below).

All sessions are conducted live over the digital platform Zoom.
View info on getting started with Zoom 

 

Questions and additional information

Please direct questions and inquiries to Danyel Addes daddes@92y.org

For general information on Ben Franklin Circles and what it means to be a host, join our monthly information session. Offered every 2nd Friday of the month. REGISTER HERE

 

About the instructor

Kim Crowley, MS (Industrial and Organizational Psychology) received her certificate in meeting facilitation from the University of Southern Maine and received additional training in community facilitation through The Public Conversations Project (now Essential Partners), Everyday Democracy, and the Interaction Institute for Social Change. Her facilitation skills have been put to good use in a variety of community programs including New Hampshire Listens, Hartford Public Library Community Dialogues, The National Dialogue on Mental Health, Project BUILD (a program of the Capitol Region Education Council), The Veteran’s Mental Health Online Town Hall with Senator Ron Barber, two Ben Franklin Circles, and numerous committees and professional boards. Her greatest love is hosting Authentic Relating games on the COnnect platform and in person.

Course participants will receive a free copy of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters.

Author Priya Parker explores how to create a meaningful gathering with helpful tips and a wide range of examples.

“I believe anyone has the ability to gather well…Gatherings crackle and flourish when real thought goes into them, when (often invisible) structure is baked into them, and when the host has the curiosity, willingness and generosity of spirit to try.”

– Priya Parker