Virtues Circle Weekly Sharing Meeting Format

Opening

Welcome to the weekly Virtues Sharing Circle. Please be courteous and turn off your cell phones while the meeting is in progress. We come together in order to share our experience with integrating virtues into our daily lives. Each week we select one virtue to study in depth and practice, and then share about our progress the following week. We communicate by sending texts to one another and posting in the Virtues Sharing Circle Facebook page. (www.facebook.com/groups/virtuessharingcircle).

(It is suggested that you start a group texting list to send inspiring quotes to one another throughout the week. Optionally, you can join our existing text group by texting your name and JOIN to (727) 421-1550. You can also register online at www.virtuescircle.org/get-inspired.html.)

 
Set Clear Boundaries

We honor the A.R.T. of boundaries for our circle:

•   A is for Assertiveness - do only what honors you.

•   R is for Respect - be deeply present when someone is sharing, without advising, interrupting, rescuing, criticizing or teasing.

•   T is for Trust - be worthy of trust. What we say here stays here.


Virtues Acknowledgments

We offer each other “Virtues Acknowledgements” after our shares, where we name the virtue and how the person demonstrated it. For example “I really heard your courage when you talked about standing up for yourself with your partner” (use any example you choose of a virtues acknowledgment).

 
Honoring the Spirit

Let’s open the meeting with an Honoring the Spirit.

(Visit www.virtuescircle.org/the-5-strategies.html to download a list of ideas for honoring the spirit).


Open for Sharing

(Read last week’s Virtues card and begin discussion by asking for others’ successes, challenges, and what was meaningful about it. Allow each person to share for approximately 5 minutes. After each share have a few others offer the person a Virtues acknowledgment.)

Last week’s Virtue was                         . Would someone please read the card?

Thank-you. Who would like to share first on their experience with this virtue the past week? Their success, challenges or insights?


Closing

(A few minutes before closing thank everyone for his or her shares. Introduce the Virtue for the following week and read the Virtues Reflection Card.)

Thank you everyone for a wonderful meeting. Our Virtue for the next week is                        . Would someone please read the card?

Namasté and see you next week! (Or another closing of your choice).