The Circle Way
The Circle Way is a model of group process.
Through the principles and practices of The Circle Way, your group will…
...find joy in gathering
...cultivate tools for shared leadership
...align your goals/strategies
...build in time for reflection and celebration
...practice intentional speaking and active-listening
...create meaningful gatherings and participatory group processes
...strengthen inter-personal skills
...develop a forum for sharing each person’s unique gifts, skills, and abilities
With 19 years of experience in community-based work, with a focus on asset-based community development and circle practices, Linnea brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. She has created various strategic partnerships and community-building initiatives at the community level, as well as collaborations with large institutions and government entities. Her grounding, calming, and uplifting energy will guide you in a joyful learning process.
We offer:
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Customized workshops on The Circle Way, and other supportive group process tools
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Corporate and non-profit retreats
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Coaching and consulting to further integrate the practices into your culture
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Additional supportive practices catered to the needs of your group
The Benefits:
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Find joy in creating purposeful gatherings and meetings
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Learn strategies to overcome obstacles
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Cultivate tools for shared leadership
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Bring all voices to the table (collective decision-making)
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Develop an empathetic workplace
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Build emotional and relational intelligence
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Practice intentional speaking and active-listening
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Inspire the capacity to do good work together
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Emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion
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Use the practices of The Circle Way to complement your strategic planning, capacity building, collaboration and culture-shifting
The Circle Way with Whole Root Wonder
La Vía del Círculo con Whole Root Wonder
The process:
I start by speaking with current leaders, or key stakeholders, to determine the best tools to support your group in connecting on a profound level, as well as accomplishing your mission, goals, and objectives.
We take what we learn from initial meetings and craft an experience that will support your journey. Sometimes this entails frequent meetings for shorter periods of time. Other times a one-time workshop or retreat is more helpful.
The Circle Way has many supportive practices. I also include tools such as World Cafe and other asset-based practices (practices that give space for people’s gifts, skills, and abilities to thrive in the group setting). Here is a wonderful two-page summary of the basic principles and practices to get a sense for what will be covered.
Schedule a complementary exploratory discussion or presentation!
Case Study:
I have the pleasure to work with members in affordable housing communities in Adams county, building community and connection, as well as a sense of agency to take action in the community. One community that utilized The Circle Way as their model of group process created shared leadership and community cohesion that lead to block parties, community gardens, grant writing for neighborhood projects, partnerships with the local police on safety issues in the neighborhood, collaboration with the city on the installation of a stop sign at an intersection near the community playground…and even lead to advocacy on a local and state level for the expansion of the low-income housing tax credit which lead toward the development of more affordable housing throughout the state of Colorado.
Margaret Mead said it well, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Rates:
Are you a non-profit or community group?—Ask us about our partnership with The Denver Foundation for grants that can cover the cost of workshops and coaching!
I like to find a rate that honors my time, and is sustainable for you. Here are some examples.
Non-profit rate: $1,700/day [Example: A one-day workshop usually entails 1.5 days of work before/after the workshop. So, a one-day workshop is typically $4,250] An hourly rate is available for coaching and shorter meetings/workshops that varies from $150-$215/hour depending upon the amount of preparation required. I like to find a rate that honors my time, and is sustainable for you.
For-profit rate: $2,400/day [Example: A one-day workshop usually entails 1.5 days of work before/after the workshop. So, a one-day workshop is typically $6,000] An hourly rate is available for coaching and shorter meetings/workshops that varies from $250-$300/hour depending upon the amount of preparation required. I like to find a rate that honors my time, and is sustainable for you.
Gratitude to The Circle Way for equipping us in these beautiful practices.
Testimonies
“Linnea is masterful at making connections, and she is a gentle soul who puts her whole heart into everything she does. I love her ability to listen and hold space for people, and she regularly demonstrates her desire to dream big while also tending to the details.” – Buffy Barfoot
"Linnea is a highly trained circle leader. Her deep background working with both small grassroots-led organizations and larger institutions allows her to build capacity at any level."
- David Portillo, The Denver Foundation
"People will have confidence in you if you are living by these practices. The Circle Way helps us in every area of our lives."
- Rev. Mama Melissa, board member of The African Wisdom Connections Organization
“The workshop was really encouraging. We were given tools to lead the group process. Linnea empowered the participants to have confidence when they are leading any groups in our communities.”
- Pastor Jemimah Ngatia, board member of The African Wisdom Connections Organization
"We are introducing community meetings as space for deeper relationship building, and to create a platform for more collective leadership and decision making within the community. We have partnered with Linnea Bjorkman with Whole Root Wonder through a grant supported by The Denver Foundation to bring The Circle Way to support our process. The Circle Way weaves in age-old wisdom into our current context to create a group process with collective leadership where each individual in the circle learns various roles that can support our group work together. It's a fun and inspiring time and we feel grateful to be together in this way." - Angelica Village Community Leader, Renata Heberton
“Family may be sacred, but community has a holy dimension of its own. Blood is never the only thing that binds us. It is often the ties we choose that have the most power. Love connects us all, like links in the finest chain, like ribbon around roses, like the weave of thread in a fine cloth. And so we entwine, becoming indivisible. And, stitch by stitch, we tell our story, under the gaze of the angels and the stars.”
~ from Call the Midwife