Learning Circles For Sustainability What is a learning

Learning Circles – For Sustainability

What is a learning circle? A form of folk school or community education where a group of people discuss their experience of & plan actions around a particular issue or subject They are a mechanism for organizing and honouring the collective wisdom of the group

What is a learning circle? The output of these conversations, in addition to new insights discovered during the process, is an action or actions to be carried out and reviewed at the next meeting.

Agenda Meet and greet, check in and review of any actions from the previous session. Discussion of the topic based around three questions related to the topic and what the participant’s experience of the topic is. Review and summary of the discussion and any actions to be carried out during the week.

Ground Rules Everyone gets a fair hearing. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. One person speaks at a time. Share “air time. ” Conflict is not personalized. Don’t label, stereotype, or call people names. Speak for yourself, not for others.

Rules of Good Conversation Take the risk of saying what you think or feel Speak with enthusiasm & energy Listen Be congenial Appreciate others Ask good questions Be an equal Tell your own stories By Cecile Andrews

Questions Question 1 – when have you had experience of the issue in your life and what does it mean to you/how do you feel about it? Question 2 – what barriers are there which prevent you and/or your family from improving activities around the subject under discussion? Question 3 - what actions can you take to improve your performance around the issue being discussed, what actions will you commit to doing?

Sustainability Topics Food Energy Water Transport Waste Consumption Community.

Questions - Food Question 1 – what does eating more sustainably mean to you? Question 2 – what is stopping you from eating more sustainably now? Question 3 – What action(s) can you carry out to help you eat more sustainably?

How We Ran It 6 attendees Nominal 2 hrs per subject 8 Sessions – 1 every 2 weeks In each others houses – round robin Thursday night Nibblies afterward

What was it like? Lots of fun Social aspect was enjoyable Informative Process worked well Came up with new insights Reminded us of what we knew Helped to motivate actions A dedicated time for considering each subject Everyone was able to get something out of each discussion.

What Has Changed? – Genna & Richard “What I have decided to do is to really think hard and ask myself questions before I replace or buy anything new. . . . Do I need it? Do I already have something that will do the job? Can I make it? Can I buy it second hand? What is the items footprint? Can I buy something that is more sustainable (solar lamps, LED bulbs) Can I source one that is local? ”

What Has Changed? – Danielle & Mark menu planning board which saves money, food waste and that horrible "what's for dinner" question.

What Has Changed? – Danielle & Mark $3. 50 Wicking bed from found or made items

What Has Changed? – Linda & Nevin Renewed focus on water saving Measuring fuel consumption and altering driving style allowed us to reduce fuel consumption from 6. 4 to 5. 6 litres/100 km Currently conducting a review of all we are doing

Any Questions?