The concept of Circles comes from a long tradition of popular education in movements here in the United States as well as internationally where people come together to support, create knowledge, and act together - from the bottom up. Through small-localized forums, people raise their consciousness by using a “process of self-awareness through collective self inquiry and reflection.” These kinds of gatherings are key to healthy, growing individuals and movements for social change.
Circles are designed to be on and offline. It really don’t make too much sense if it is just an online thing!
A BLOC Circle is:
When two or more BLOC members come together to support each other, learn, strategize and connect the work they are doing in different organizations and communities.
Provides a way for a BLOC member who has an idea or a key question to join with others to explore those ideas and questions.
A way for different communities to document and share what they are learning about social change.
BLOC Network Circles There are five kinds of circles that members can join or create:
I. Support Circles – Provide peer support to other BLOC members in their development. II. Learning Circles – Explore an issue or topic related to social justice III. Strategy Circles – Develop analysis, strategy and opportunities for collaborative action. IV. Action Circles – Create a new project to meet an unmet need or carry out a strategy developed in a Strategy Circle. V. Change Circles – Document stories of change in our communities through written, video, or other creative form.
COMING SOON: The skinny on how to transition this circles process offline. Over the course of the next few months we will release curriculum that can guide you through the process and provide samples on structure and content. BigUP!
2. CLICK HERE FOR A MORE INDEPTH LOOK AT CIRCLE TYPES
HOW CAN I START A CIRCLE?
Starting a Circle on MyBloc is simple. All BLOC members are free to:
Initiate a BLOC Circle
Decide if the Circle is open or invitation only
Propose a topic or a curriculum
Invite others to participate
How to Join a Circle BLOC members are free to participate in as few or as many different circles as serves you. Circles can be open (O) to all BLOC members or invitation only (I) to ensure that the Circle stays small or is composed of folks from a particular constituency.
