This stage involves building an initial working group, holding a pilot circle, clarifying the issue, developing discussion material, developing a plan, planning evaluation, establishing goals,  ensuring a diverse range of people are invited to the table, deciding upon support and preparing for the 'round of study circles'. A launch is a large meeting to get people involved and can be combined with the first study circle session.

Dialogue, round of study circles or study circle season

Each study circle will then meet several times and be led by a neutral facilitator who will use a discussion guide. Each session builds on the previous. Participants start with discussing their own experiences in relation to the issue. They then discuss the issue further, deliberating on the range of causes and eventually developing solutions and action outcomes.

The Action Forum

After the round of circles all groups reconvene at a facilitated action forum where each group reports on their discussions. Action ideas are collated, organised and ranked. Participants then sign up into action groups to further the action ideas.

______________________________________________________________

An effective community wide study circle program involves large numbers of people by reaching out to many different organisations and parts of the community. By working with a range of community associations and organisations, people from all parts of the community are involved.

People find a community wide study circle program valuable because:

·         The discussions begin with people talking about their own experiences.

·         The small groups help people of different backgrounds talk about difficult issues in a safe, respectful way.

·         With many small groups meeting at the same time, people know that they are part of a larger effort.

The community wide study circle program as a whole helps people solve problems and take action in their neighborhoods and communities.

Once a community wide study circle program gets started, they usually grow larger and stronger - people take hold of this rare chance to understand each other and work together.

Study circle participants often talk about how quickly the time passed since the discussion was focused, honest, and productive. They also talk about how much fun they had getting to know each other.

Moving from talk to action

Traditionally, organisers see a particular problem, come up with a solution, and then ask people to help them. A community wide study circle program gets everyday people involved from the very beginning; they help more people get involved in figuring out the solutions that will work best for them, and then they encourage the different efforts that result.

These programs move from talk to action because they:

·         Build understanding between people of different backgrounds and opinions.

·         Give people the chance to look at a range of views and approaches, and come up with their own creative ideas.

·         Build relationships between people and organisations who can work together.

·         Create more productive ways for people to work with public employees, such as police officers, teachers, elected officials, and social workers.

·         Help people gain a sense of "ownership" of the issues, which increases their determination to find solutions and carry them out.

To make and sustain progress in our communities, we all need to get involved. A community wide study circle program provides a way to do that. Through dialogue and action, we can make our community stronger.