Roles

ThisIn guideeach iscircle, designedyou towill be usedin by anyone - even if you have limited experience of facilitating group discussions. It takes you step-by-step through the process, from planning and set-up, to what to say at each stageone of the visioningfollowing exercise.roles:

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Facilitator / time keeper: This person is aresponsible goodfor ideamaking tosure that timings and guidelines are respected. It’s helpful if they have a smalltimer, groupphone or watch on them.

Presenter: This is the person who’s reflection will be focussed on during the circle. It will be decided at the start of each circle, and should alternate so that everyone has a chance to preparepresent at least once.

Circle member: The remainder of the participants will be ‘circle members’, who will listen and runreflect back to the eventpresenter, -giving seethem morespace. onIt’s rolesimportant below.to .remember

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Thethe visioningrole exerciseof isthe brokencircle down into three sessions.  In person, you could do this all in one day. If you are doing it online, a full daymembers is not recommended - instead you could schedule three separate sessions to workoffer through the exercise.advice.

Here are our suggested timings, including short breaks: 

1: Introduction and What Is? - 1 hour 45 minutes

2. What If? - 3 hours (add 30 minutes if you do the optional exercise)

3. What Next? and closing - 2 hours 15 minutes

The process can be run online or in person. There are pros and cons to each. 

Online

• You will need: online tools for group video calls (like Zoom, Teams or Meet Coop) and creating shared notes, like Google Docs, Next Cloud or Miro. Consider cost as well as how familiar and accessible they are to your participants when deciding. 

• Online meetings can be harder for some people to participate in, particularly if they struggle with computers or do not know the group as well. 

• For other people, it can be easier to join from home, without needing to travel or arrange cover for caring responsibilities.

• It is best run in a series of separate sessions - a full day online is very draining for most people. 

In Person 

• You will need: a suitable venue, materials for capturing notes and ideas (like flipchart, large white boards or a roll of paper, pens and maybe sticky notes) and to think about providing some refreshments to sustain people’s energy.

• It can take more time, effort and money to organise an in person event, and it is important to think about how to get people to engage and make sure they attend.

• It can be easier to connect, participate and have a deeper experience with other participants when you gather in person.

• It can run in a series of separate sessions or all in one day with breaks.

Whichever you choose, the following pages will help you plan and set up your event to try to overcome some of the challenges and so participants feel as comfortable as possible, and fully able to take part.