Sharing Circle Learning with Staff and Women

Sharing Circle Learning with Staff and Women

It is recommended that you have individually completed all eight modules as well as the additional learning materials before facilitating a Circle with staff or with the women you serve. The additional learning materials will enable you to have a stronger understanding of each topic and how to guide the Circle in your shelter. Suggested questions for Sharing Circles for both staff and women are included in each module as a starting place. Each shelter is unique and diverse and so feel free to create a Circle that best fits your needs. Below are just a few options of how these modules might be used in Sharing Circles.

Options for Sharing Circles with Staff

• Watch brief segments of the videos and/or read segments of the modules as a regular part of the staff or team meetings and choose a question to prompt a mini Sharing Circle.

• Watch an entire video and complete the reading over a few hours as a group. Use the provided or self-created questions in a Sharing Circle as a professional development session.

• Have staff watch a video, read the module and complete self-reflection on their own and then discuss as a larger group in a Sharing Circle.

• As a staff, you can practice the Circle Process during staff meetings until you feel confident in working with the women. You can have many Circle facilitators and take turns.

Options for Sharing Circles with Women You Serve

• Use complete or segments of videos/modules for the basis of a weekly Sharing Circle open to all women who want to learn about Indigenous culture.

• Use complete or segments of videos/modules that are relevant to pre-existing groups or programs.

• Invite women to watch one or more of the videos and read the modules individually and hold follow-up Sharing Circles or one-on one discussions