Sample Letters of Invitation to Join Circles
#1 (from Dianne Eppler Adams, Washington, DC, USA)
An Invitation to Discover From the Four Directions
Are you interested in making a difference? Perhaps you see and are saddened by the dysfunction in our organizations—corporations, associations, communities, and, yes, even churches. You are feeling urged to do something. Then, you are a Leader!
One of the root causes of our current difficulties, I believe, is that we are not listening to one another. We need to honor the individual uniqueness of all and find ways to embrace the diversity we find among us in all its magnificence. When we depend on diversity and trust in human goodness, there is nothing we cannot transform. It has been said, “Harmony is not possible, unless there is more than one note.” Everyone is needed to create a better future for our children and the Earth.
The initiative called From the Four Directions (www.fromthefourdirections.org) is the inspiration of Margaret Wheatley, noted author and management scientist, who envisions small groups of leaders meeting in “circles of conversation” on every continent ushering in new life-affirming behaviors in human organizations.
I recently attended a Practicum of From the Four Directions in Arizona, where I was trained in a particular group process, based largely on the Native American council of peers sitting in circle, passing a talking stick, etc. I met wonderful people and was totally inspired by the ease and speed with which the circle process created community in a very diverse group of people from seven countries on three continents.
I am committed to sharing what I learned and to “calling a circle” to explore how a diverse group of leaders can support each other to create change deep listening. There is no defined destination for this work, only a desire to see how we can create a better world together by acting locally, while remaining aware of our connection to many similar groups that are meeting globally.
I invite you to join me in the community room of my building on Thursday, May 31 from 7-9:30 PM for an “information gathering” evening about From the Four Directions. I will show a video of Margaret Wheatley explaining the work of From the Four Directions and share my personal experiences and observations. As a result, you may decide if you are “called” to participate in From the Four Directions at this time. I warmly welcome you, even if you are only curious.
To ensure availability of space, please RSVP to:
#2 (from Suzanne Duarte, Netherlands)
Dear
(Name)
Do you ever long for meaningful conversations, in which you can be
honest about your feelings about what is happening in the world? Where you can
drop your roles -- the masks we all present to the world -- and speak from your
heart? Where you can speak about the dangers and opportunities of our time, and
your hopes and fears for the future, without meeting blank stares? Would you
like to be a social change agent, but don't know where to begin; or would you
like to know you aren't alone?
If so, you are invited to join us for the
first "conversation circle" in Amsterdam. Our intention is to gather
intelligent, awake people -- people who are not afraid to face the burning
questions of our times -- for meaningful conversations about things that matter.
Circle is an ancient practice for creating community and consciousness through
conversation, and that is our intention in calling this circle. The primary
activity of circle is the interaction of speaking and listening with focused
attention and respect.
The first Amsterdam Circle will take place
on:
For this first circle we will focus on the following question: What
is my faith in the future?
The Amsterdam Circle is inspired by and
connected with From the Four Directions (F4D), an initiative to get people
talking with each other about the concerns we share in common at this planetary
moment. From the Four Directions supports people all over the planet who are
gathering in circles to discover and practice new ways of relating and working
together to create a sustainable, life-affirming future.
Margaret
Wheatley, one of the founders of F4D, and the author of the recent book Turning
to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future, has
written:
"I am hopeful that we can change the world if we start listening
to one another again. Simple, honest, human conversation. Not mediation,
negotiation, problem-solving, debate, or public meetings. Simple, truthful
conversation where we each have a chance to speak, we each feel heard, and we
each listen well. Conversation is the natural way we humans think together. We
may have forgotten this, or no longer have time for each other, but it is how
good thinking grows into actions that create real change.
"What would it
feel like to be listening to each other again about what disturbs and troubles
us? About what gives us energy and hope? About our yearnings, our fears, our
prayers, our children?"
The new website for Turning to One Another is
If you
would like to join us for the first Amsterdam Circle, please let us know you are
coming and we will send you directions.
We hope to see you on
Best wishes
#3 (from Susan Neden, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada)
I have just
returned from an amazing week in Arizona with a gathering of leaders from around
the world. We were part of a global initiative called FROM THE FOUR DIRECTIONS:
People Everywhere Leading The Way (www.fromthefourdirections.org)
Similar
gatherings are scheduled for Europe, Africa and South America.
After a lifetime of seeking to understand and affect change in organizations, communities, families, society, myself this has absolutely captured my imagination, inspired in me a sense of hope, and provided a focus for taking action.
Margaret Wheatley, author of Leadership and the New Science www.berkana.org and Christina Baldwin, author of Calling the Circle www.perrspirit.com are two of the visionaries behind the initiative. Over the years, my thinking and my work have been significantly influenced by the writings of both.
Six years ago a friend lent me Margaret’s book. For me it was a lifeline. It gave me language and a framework for understanding what I was seeing in organizations and reaffirmed I was not crazy! Several years later I became aware of Christina and her partner Ann’s work in creating conversation circles. I have long held a deep respect for traditional Aboriginal healing circles. Christina and Ann gave me a way to work in circle where I did not feel I was in some way appropriating Aboriginal culture.
The premise of From The Four Directions is intriguingly simple: change the course of the world by creating and linking (world-wide) local conversation circles where leaders from all walks of life meet, talk and support each other in “life-affirming leadership” practices – practices that take us beyond the ever narrowing focus on justifying everything in terms of the economy.
On the web site www.fromthefourdirections.org there are several articles in which Margaret Wheatley speaks about the human and environmental impact in a world where, “The economy is no longer seen as the means to create just and good societies; it has become the end in itself.” Drawing on an understanding of how living systems change she provides hope that through meaningful conversation locally and linked through technology globally, we can change the world.
In the next month I will be convening a local From The Four Directions circle in Saskatchewan, beginning in Regina. The intent is to draw together a diverse group of leaders - leaders defined as “anyone who wants to help at this time”- willing to commit to meet for approximately 2-3 hours once a month over a six-month period. The focus of the conversation will be life-affirming leadership. There is no fee. All that is required is a desire to explore what we see and know as life-affirming leadership and a willingness to be in conversation with a diverse group of people.
If this or the website www.fromthefourdirections.org has sparked your imagination give me a call – we can talk!! Please feel free to pass this information on to others who may be interested.
#4 (from Tenneson Woolf, Provo/Salt Lake City, Utah, USA)
From the Four Directions – Invitation to Participate in a Conversation Circle…
On life-affirming leadership – we define a leader as anyone who wants to help, anyone who is willing to step forward to help create change in their world. It is our experience that many people in all places are being called to help, to be leaders. These leaders hold visions of new possibility for their local communities, nations, and our shared global village. They are found everywhere: running day-care centers and universities, developing entrepreneurial business incubators and running huge bureaucracies; developing community health centers and dealing with pandemics. They are everywhere, and each one is a gift to the rest of us (www.fromthefourdirections.org).
From the Four Directions is a global leadership initiative of the Berkana Institute. During the passed year, many of you have contacted Berkana, or Margaret Wheatley, or myself, expressing your interest to participate in a local From the Four Directions Circle. Or perhaps you have been introduced through a friend or colleague. You join with many others around the world -- the From the Four Directions network is now about 1,200 people in about 30 countries.
The premise of From The Four Directions is simple: change the course of the world by creating and linking (world-wide) local conversation circles where leaders from all walks of life meet, talk and support each other in “life-affirming leadership” practices – practices that broaden our perception and connection to a systemic world.
On . . . in . . ., from . . ., myself and other colleagues will be hosting an informational evening about this initiative. From those evenings we hope groups of 12 –15 people will commit to a six month conversation together (meeting monthly) beginning in . . ..
For more information, or to RSVP for the informational evening, contact me, Tenneson Woolf (tenneson@berkana.org; 801 377 2996). Or visit the From the Four Directions website (www.fromthefourdirections.org, www.berkana.org).
I look forward to hearing from you and sharing this journey.
#5 (from Peggy Dunn, Berwick, Maine, USA)
Greetings to each of you -
Recently we have been in touch in face-to-face conversation, or by email or telephone. When I told you about the From the Four Directions Life Affirming Leadership training I attended in Arizona in March, and said I was going to be calling a circle, most of you who are getting this letter said, “count me in.” Or if you didn’t say that, you expressed real interest in the topic.
The circle forming process has begun in two conversations between Kitsy Winthrop and myself. Kitsy was the first one to say “count me in.” Now we want to extend an invitation to each of you to gather with us for a series of conversations about life affirming leadership.
Our beginning questions, and our gathering format will be provided by me out of the March training. We want to set the first date in June, knowing that the group which gathers will set the subsequent times (probably six in all, but this also can be established by the gathered circle). The dates we are proposing are either Wednesday, June 20, or Monday, June 25 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Bangor Seminary Portland campus (159 State Street).
Please note your pleasures and preferences on the enclosed postcard. I will be back in touch with what date works for most of you who are interesting in taking this journey together.
There have been so many positive responses from various friends as I have shared about this work that it seems that this first circle should be called from an area which extends well out of greater Portland. All of you receiving this invitation are leaders who move in quite different circles. By participating together in this circle to intentionally look at leadership issues, as you take this information and material back into your home circles, it will fan out through a number of different systems in Maine. This is exciting to me, and feels like it will be an important contribution to the mutual well being of all of Maine, not to mention a gathering of some pretty phenomenal folks who know me, but not each other!
Sincerely,
#6 (from Lori Collins, Nashville, Tennessee, USA)
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I'm sending you this email to invite you to a First Circle to be held in Nashville!
As many of you
know, I traveled to S. Africa this past May to participate and learn how to host
a circle. At its heart, this initiative is designed to help activate and support
community leaders who value the principles of life-affirming leadership; to
bring them into proximity together; and to ultimately connect them with similar
circles taking place around the globe. In addition to cities in the US, we would
be in communication with circles gathering in places like England, Denmark,
Sweden, S. Africa, and Norway. The sponsoring organization is called From the
Four Directions, a nonprofit started by Meg Wheatley; for more information you
can click on the website that's provided at the end of this email.
Several of you have expressed a strong interest in being part of a
Nashville Circle based on my conversations with you. It's an opportunity to be
in dialogue with other intelligent, thoughtful, awake individuals with the
purpose of asking better, more relevant questions about the responsibility and
challenges of local and global leadership. Relying on the energy I've received,
and with an intuitive sense that the time is right, I'm extending this
invitation.
I've included
verbiage from the website "fromthefourdirection.org" below. It gives more
explanation of the purpose for calling a circle. I'll also have a video of Meg
Wheatley to show at the first session where you can hear her
explain her
vision for life-affirming leadership in her own words.
You'll probably have questions about structure, content, etc. Just know that the process is open and co-creative; the structure will emerge as it needs to; and the group will drive the content with a focus on life-affirming leadership. One of the first questions may be something like: "What is the future I envision and what is my urge and commitment to make it happen?"
The best way to respond to this is probably by email. But you can also call me. If you know of someone else that you think would be interested in being a part of this effort, please let me know that, too.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
#7 (from Lisa Connors, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA)
AN INVITATION TO THE ART OF CONVERSATION
I am writing this by way of invitation. Should this spark in you something deep . . . respond. And we will work through the why-nots and the resistance together. I’ve been through a lot of that getting this far.
I have come upon a group of people, engaged in a profound experiment, which speaks to my heart. I have joined these people in the project . . .
From
The Four Directions
A Berkana Institute initiative
calling those who wish
to help at this time
to the ancient form
of
conversation
in
circle.
Transforming the world through
life affirming leadership.
Why me? Because in this process of being a mother, I have become so acutely aware of the world around me, the world in me and my responsibility to us all.
Why this? Because I believe that each one of us has a role to play in making this world work the way it is meant to - and that we discover that role and find the courage to enact it by sharing our stories together. I believe the people in this project have the intention, the spirit and the method to truly draw us together - to weave our simple contribution of a few hours together in conversation, and being stronger in our lives, into a powerful web of connection across the globe. A web that can make it all work. Visit www.fromthefourdirections.org or contact me for details.
Why now? Because the time has come for me, and a lot of other people as well, to live the life we are supposed to live.
Why you? I’d love to know.
Join Me In an Introductory Circle Conversation
#8 (from Judith McPhie, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
In the hearts and minds of two wise women was born the idea that if we could talk together throughout the world in local conversation circles and then link those conversations electronically, we could bring to the forefront of human consciousness, the need to continually ask “How does what we do enable the flourishing of the human spirit and all life forms?”
So Margaret Wheatley, author of Leadership and the New Science (www.berkana.org) and Christina Baldwin, author of Calling the Circle (www.peerspirit.com) began, bringing together men and women who would then take the idea back to their towns, cities and villages and call local circles. The project has been named From the Four Directions: People Everywhere Leading the Way (www.fromthefourdirections.org). The intent is to invite people into circle who are moved to participate in the world to bring about change, change that will put the needs of the human community and the environment at the forefront of decision-making.
The circle is a participatory way of meeting which has been part of the human experience for many millennia. Participants can drop into slower more reflective conversation where judgement is suspended and diverse perspectives received with compassion and appreciation. It’s a space where we listen deeply to others with no need to argue, debate or fix one another. We can contribute thoughtfully with no need to defend. It is not a form to find “right” answers. It is a gift of time to speak from your heart about what matters. From our diversity, new understandings and solutions will emerge.
It is my hope that a local circle of 8 to 15 people can begin here in Vancouver, a circle where we might speak of our hopes, our fears our challenges, and gain the clarity and courage to work for change that will contribute to a planet where all life can flourish.
In order to talk together about these ideas and see if you wish to commit to further circle conversations, I am inviting you to a first gathering. Let me know if you are interested. Further details will follow.
#1 (from Craig and Patricia Neal, Heartland Institute)
Please come to a gathering of area leaders this Saturday evening to engage in essential conversation about what it means to be a leader in these times*.
We've chosen the evening of the 26th because people will be gathering all over the world, in various ways, to express their sentiments about the recent congressional vote on the War resolution and the gathering storm out of the administration on a preemptive strike against Iraq.
So, we thought we'd invite those that have a passionate desire to get involved to see & hear what is on our minds and in our hearts. Many will be attending peace vigils throughout the day and a march from the Hill Cathedral to the State Capitol starting at 3:30, so we're allowing time to come from wherever you are to our meeting place.
When:
Where
Cost: Donation (recommended $10) to cover venue and
food
RSVP:
The Purpose- We gather, in a safe environment, as peers in community, to share what it means to be a leader in these times and to explore how we might bring to action our most eloquent and creative ideas.
How will we meet and what are we doing? Our vision is to have a reception from 6:00 to 6:45 PM, then gather in a circle, using in part our Thought Leader Gathering (TLG) design for the rest of the evening, leaving time for socializing at the end. We meet in a large community circle and small groups throughout the evening.
In gratitude,
*Leader: "Anyone who wants to help in these times."-Margaret Wheatley