N.E.W. – the Network to Empower Women

The Nine Agreements for N.E.W. Circles

The nine agreements are carefully crafted to provide a process which is clear, safe, and empowering for circle participants. When these agreements are honored by each member of a circle, the meetings are most likely to be a wonderful experience for everyone. The agreements are drawn from various sources: the traditional wisdom of Native Americans and other Original Peoples; the experience of twelve-step groups; and the thoughtful suggestions of such authors as Christina Baldwin in her book, Calling the Circle, and Jean Shinoda Bolen in her book, The Millionth Circle.

The Nine Agreements that govern all N.E.W. circle meetings:

1. We meet in a circle with a Center which symbolizes the Wisdom within and among us.
2. We all listen as each one speaks in turn, using a symbolic object. We do not interrupt, cross-talk, or give advice during the meeting.
3. We honor and respect the confidentiality of what is spoken in the circle.
4. We honor each one's contribution, listen without judgment, and support each other in a loving manner.
5. We all take responsibility for the process of the group, honoring time constraints and the agreements that guide the circle. Leadership is shared and rotated.
6. We exercise our personal right to refrain from any activity that violates our boundaries.
7. We all rely on the Wisdom of the circle's center and in each of us. The circle is like a wheel with each person connected to the hub at the center. To remain centered, we observe a brief silence between each woman's reflections, and at any time during the meeting someone asks for it.
8. In between meetings, we connect with each other in order to help one another continue to explore the questions of the N.E.W. process, and offer support as needed. We especially reach out to those who are new to the circle meetings and process.
9. We want to reach out to as many women as possible in order to accomplish the vision of N.E.W. Therefore, we meet in a public location, safe, free of interruption, and open to any woman who wishes to attend.