What is a Listening Circle?
Download a printable document. The Listening Circle: A Self-Governing Dialogue The Listening Circle meeting process is designed to facilitate the discussion of controversial issues when there is a large group of people interested in the topic.
Instructions: 1. There is no facilitator, chair, or moderator. 3. Participants gather in two concentric circles - an inner circle with or without a table and four chairs; and an outer circle (with chairs for participants) with ample walking and aisle space. 4. Everyone begins in the outer circle. a. Those most interested take chairs in the inner circle; those less interested stay in the b. All can move in or out of the centre as the discussion flows or topics change. c. Each speaker makes a comment or asks a question. d. Speakers are not restricted in what they say or how they say it, but they must sit in the e. Once seated in the inner circle, parties may interrupt, or wait for an opening in any f. The person taking a seat can join in the discussion OR try to change its direction g. Parties may leave and return again to the inner circle as often as they wish. h. If there are no vacant seats in the inner circle and someone is wishing to speak, they i. If someone wishes to talk to one of the people occupying the four discussion chairs, they j. No outside conversations are allowed; if participants wish to cheer, or groan, or make any k. Comments are often recorded. Votes of opinions held by non-speakers are taken at the l. To close a meeting, empty seats are taken away one by one until there are no more |