National Center for Cultural Healing Tool Series CircleWorks© CircleWorks©: Every where in the world and at all times in history, groups of people have gathered together to get things done. To produce results, groups need knowledge about: who they are-as individuals, a group, and in relation to their community and larger world, the results they want or need to produce-and how the group will recognize success, and ways to work together effectively to produce the needed results. Really successful groups can be exciting, energizing and deeply satisfying. CircleWorksİ provides a "map" to identify and strengthen conditions needed to produce useful change or results.

Overview: Effective group work can be like fishing, gardening, family celebrations, or story telling. We might "know success when we see it" and yet not know how to "make it happen." Gathering together the elements of group success involves knowing something about the nature of the group and its task. Knowing how to "flow with" or to cultivate optimal conditions-garden soil, fishing climate, family or community spirit, or organizational strength-involves skills that every group can learn. How CircleWorks© Works: It works like a fishing trip, a family celebration, a story, or a garden. In the same way that a garden is not just a collection of plants or a fishing place is not just a collection of fish, a group is not just a collection of people. Each garden involves differing conditions and relationships among a collection of plants, soil, air, water, heat, and light that combine to yield abundant crops or poor results. Each group involves differing conditions and relationships among a collection of people. Groups can seek diverse ideas, commitment to mutual trust and gain, and a willingness to learn and change that "grows" and produces results. Just like gardeners-or fishers, families, or storytellers-group members can support conditions that tend to produce success. CircleWorksİ provides a "system map" that allows groups to identify strengths and weaknesses, deepen understanding and appreciation, bring out the best in each other, and gain "hands on" experience with "tools" and conditions for success. The Payoff: Lays a foundation for results-oriented learning, change and productivity. How to Make It Happen: Experienced facilitators work with groups, organizations, and communities to build knowledge, skills, and awareness among members to strengthen conditions and opportunities for success. Brandt, M.J.C. (1996), CircleWorksİ, unpublished.