What is a Circle Process? “A new way of bringing people together to understand one another, strengthen bonds, and solve community problems is blossoming in modern Western communities. But this new way is really very old. It draws on the ancient Native American tradition of using a talking piece, an object passed from person to person in a group and which grants the holder sole permission to speak. It combines this ancient tradition with contemporary concepts of democracy and inclusivity in a complex, multicultural society.” (Pranis 2005)

Circles can be used for: 

community-building

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understanding

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healing

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talking

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problem-solving

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resolving conflicts

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support

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celebration

“Participating in Circles is inherently transformative, because we experience the world from more perspectives than our own. Drawing on diverse knowledge and experiences, Circles generate options and solutions that are often outside the box of conventional thinking and that often go beyond what one person could generate on their own.” (Living Justice Press 2015)

Key Elements of a Circle: 

Circle – participants are seated in a circle to denote equality and create connection

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Talking Piece – used to regulate conversation and create order and invitation; only the person with the talking piece may speak, or they may pass without speaking

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Inclusion – talking piece is always passed consecutively to every person (no skipping)

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Shared Leadership – all members of the circle are equally responsible for its quality

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Circle Keeper – one person initiates the circle and holds or “keeps” it by asking prompts and attending to group energy, but not facilitating or controlling the circle, as leadership in the circle is shared – everyone in a circle is responsible for it

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Values and Guidelines – participants establish the way each circle will be kept

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Consensus – decisions are made by the consensus of all participants as equals

“Coming together in a circle …inspires a different quality of conversation. People tell stories and share experiences. We are more likely to speak from our hearts and listen from our hearts as well. We want to experience each other not as adversaries but as fellow human beings. We find a place where we can share what is going on with us, whatever that may be.” (Living Justice Press 2015) Pranis, K. (2005). The little book of circle processes: A new/old approach to peacemaking. Intercourse, PA: Good Books. The Circle Process. Living Justice Press. Retrieved 15:48, July 31, 2015, from http://www.livingjusticepress.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={51F9C610-C097-446A-8C60-05E8B4599FE7} Carrie Landrum 2016 Program Manager, OSCR

Office of Student Conflict Resolution I University of Michigan 100 Student Activities Building I 515 East Jefferson I Ann Arbor I MI I 48109