Organizing+Study+Circles+for+young+people-+a+handson+guide+for+youth+and+adults

= = Summary Pages: 21 From the Study Circles Resource Center:
 * Organizing Study Circles with Young People:**
 * A hands-on guide for youth and adults**

Generally, young people refers to teens, approximately 13 to 18 years of age, who are usually in grades 8 through 12. Introduction With the growth of study circles as a tool for community dialogue and problem solving, more and more organizers in communities and organizations are reaching out to include young people in study circle programs. This is critical, since young people have a stake in helping our communities work — and they bring unique energy, insights, and assets to public conversations and to solving public problems. Young people get involved in study circles in many different ways: in schools; as part of community-based or neighborhood programs; in after-school programs or youth organizations; as part of large youth events and conferences, and in other settings where young<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> people spend time. Sometimes young people and adults are<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> together in study circles; sometimes the circles are for youth only.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> Through this process, young people learn about issues, gain new<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> skills, have a chance to hear and be heard, and find ways to work<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> with others on the issues that are important to them. In short, they<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> have a chance to experience their own potential as active and<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> involved citizens.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> The purpose of this guide is to help young people and adults<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> organize successful youth study circles in a variety of settings.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;">
 * What do we mean when**<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> **we say “ youth” or**<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> **“young people”?**<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;">
 * Using this guide**<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;">

Part 1 provides an Overview of youth study circles, including the<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> rationale for participation, study circle principles, and universal<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> guidelines.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> - A Study Circle: - is a small, diverse group of 8 to 12 participants. - meets regularly to address an important social or political issue - sets its own ground rules for a respectful, productive conversation - Is led by an impartial facilitator, who manages the conversation but is not an "expert" or "teacher" in the traditional sense. - considers an issue from many points of view. - does not require consensus, but uncovers areas of agreement - Offers an opportunity to move from talk to action Key Principles: - Inclusion- reaching out to large numbers of people. - Diversity- involving participants of all kinds of background and beliefs - Respect for multiple viewpoints - The connection of dialogue to action

Part 2 covers the basic steps of Organizing study circles with young<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> people.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> Step 1: Get started Step 2: Clarify your issue Step 3: Build your team Step 4: Make a plan Step 5: Share the work Step 6: Hold a round Step 7: Sustain your program

Part 3 describes different Settings where study circles with youth<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> take place, and advice for organizing in each of those settings.<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> - Schools - Youth organizations - Conferences, leadership training, other youth activities - Community programs