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For most people, finding participants is the hardest part of organizing. But we are confident you can do this, especially if you start small.

Find an Organizing Partner 

To start out, find just one other person in your community who is also excited about this idea. Once you have a team of two, the rest of the organizing will be easier. Think about who might make a good partner.  You’ll want to find someone is also excited about this idea and will make the commitment to move things forward with you.

Growing Your Group 

Once you have an organizing partner, the two of you can brainstorm about finding participants.

Tip 1: Use Existing Networks as “Base Communities.” Perhaps one or both of you is already part of a congregation, neighborhood association, or other group that can serve as a “base community.” That’s great. Our experience suggests that it’s helpful to base your organizing in such a network, even though you will also reach beyond it for participants. But if at least some members of the circle know each other from the outset, this gives the group “glue” to help it stick together over a longer term. Another benefit is that a base community might be able to provide space for your meetings.

If you’re not part of a base network, you might consider reaching out to one. Some good possibilities are: congregations (churches, synagogues); community organizations like Neighborhood Development Corporations, housing counseling organizations, organizations for parents, or the YMCA or YWCA; neighborhood associations; local environmental action groups; unions; book clubs; Transition Initiatives; Time Banks; and food pantries.

Think about how a Resilience Circle might connect to the interests and goals of these base communities.  Before you reach out, prepare to explain the benefits of basing a Resilience Circle in their community, such as potentially attracting new members to the congregation or network. Resilience Circles are also a great way to deepen relationships among people who already know each other, since the circle will help folks share topics that are usually difficult to address. (Read more on this in the section on Communication.)

Tip 2: Use the “Linking” Method. A complementary strategy is what we call the “linking” method.  Here, you and your organizing partner identify one or two other people who are also excited about forming a Resilience Circle. In turn, each of you invites two or three more people to an Introductory Session. In this way, your team builds linked relationships among participants at your introductory event, so each person feels some connectedness to the group from the outset.

Tip 3: Publicize. Base communities and the linking method are the best way to attract participants who will join your Resilience Circle. But don’t neglect basic publicity. Once you have scheduled an Introductory Session, put up flyers and post an announcement on online calendars in your community. Consider creating a Facebook or a MeetUp event. Use the sample materials from the section on Communication. And lastly, don’t forget to tell us at the Resilience Circle Network so we can publicize for you.

Finding a Facilitator 

To organize a club, you don’t need to facilitate it. We do suggest that facilitators have some small group leadership experience before facilitating a Resilience Circle. If you have some experience but would like a refresher, visit http://localcircles.org/facilitate-a-circle for links to resources on facilitation.

As mentioned above, holding an Introductory Session may attract people who would make good facilitators. If you need a facilitator at this point, be sure to address this during the final section of the session on “Next Steps.”

With your partner, brainstorm places where you might find a facilitator to lead the circle’s discussions.  Consider leaders from the communities listed above as potential base networks. In addition to appealing to your common values, you might suggest that you’d like to learn to facilitate by working with them. Many community leaders are highly motivated to share their skills with other people in this way.

Lastly, keep in mind that the Resilience Circle Network has developed a six-hour Facilitator Training Workshop. It is not necessary to attend a training to be a facilitator, but we promise you will enjoy the training if you can attend one. If you have some experience leading such workshops and would like to hold a training in your community, contact us and we’ll get you started. We can also discuss sending a trainer to your area.

NEXT: Communication and Publicity