N.E.W. – the Network to Empower Women

How To Start Your Own N.E.W. Circle

It is easy to start a N.E.W. circle of your own. All you need are a couple of friends, a safe place to meet, a set time, and a way to spread the word. A flyer is provided in the Resources section of this website for you to use for this purpose.

Here is what you need to know to get started:

The format for a typical meeting is as follows:

• Welcome & Self-introductions (very brief)
• Opening Ritual
• Reading of the N.E.W. Purpose & Vision, the Nine Agreements and the Nine Questions (leader hands out copies of these materials at the outset of the meeting)
• Exploring one of the Nine Questions* (a "talking object" is used during this process)
• Closing ritual (a leader for the next meeting is chosen – or, preferably, volunteers – at this time)

(*–NOTE: Circle participants may choose to explore one or more parts of a multi-part question.)

Click here to view a printable N.E.W. Circle meeting guide. For complete, detailed information on the structure of N.E.W. Circles, see Chapter Five in The Future For Women, now available from Xlibris.

Other things to know about N.E.W. Circle meetings:

• The time frame can be as short as an hour once a week, or a couple of hours once or twice a month.
• Participants cover one of the Nine Questions at each meeting, and repeat the cycle of Questions as often as desired.
• Under the right conditions, men may also be a part of this network.
• A small fee may also be collected at the meeting to defray expenses for materials used for the rituals.
• You may modify the suggested opening and closing rituals, etc. to suit your circle, but please always read the opening material, including the Purpose and Vision, the Nine Agreements, and the Nine Questions. This clearly sets a safe and clear structure for all who attend, and is especially valuable for newcomers. Of course, if you are a N.E.W. circle, you always follow the Nine Agreements, and discuss one of the Nine Questions at each meeting. This process has been tried and tested by women meeting in circles since 2002; it is simple to do, easy to follow, and works very well.

We would love to hear about your own experiences with N.E.W. Circles. If you would like to share your experience, please visit the Share Your Stories page and let us know, or e-mail us.