COMMUNITY BUILDING CIRCLES
| Why is CU Anschutz interested in Community Building Circles? |
The CU System Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion office provided funding for a cohort of faculty and staff across the four CU campuses to receive mediation and restorative justice training. That cohort embarked on a year-long restorative justice leadership and facilitation certification program through the University of San Diego Center for Restorative Justice
At CU Anschutz, the cohort consisted of individuals from the Central Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement (ODEICE), the Office of Equity (OE); Student Affairs, Ombuds, and the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs.
There was a shared interest in offering additional resources to help build capacity among the CU Anschutz community to resolve issues and conflicts effectively and collaboratively. Specifically, there was interest in cultivating restorative justice expertise within our community to support community engagement, belonging, and inclusion for our campus community. |
| What are Community Building Circles? |
Community Building Circles are a restorative justice practice that allows individuals within a community to share and connect through a structured and facilitated dialogue. Community Building Circles cultivate a safe space for participants with varying values, experiences, and backgrounds to have productive conversations centering on a predetermined topic and set of questions, allowing participants to reflect and share their perspectives with other circle participants. For example, here at CU Anschutz, we have facilitated circles on community connection, ending anti-Asian hate and gun violence, the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, dealing with burnout, setting expectations within a group, DEI practices, or sharing personal values. The RJ team works with the circle requestor to identify a discussion topic that will generate meaningful dialogue among circle participants and strengthen their relationships with one another. |
| Upcoming Community Building Circles |
| See the dates for our monthly community circles below. |
| Essential Elements of Circles |
Please click the plus sign to learn more about each element. *These elements were adapted from Essential Elements for Constructing the Circle by Kay Pranis. |
Community building circles work best for groups, classes, teams, or organizations interested in incorporating a community-building activity that promotes a sense of belonging for its members. Community building circles can be implemented as stand-alone events or integrated into an existing program, training, or team-building event.
Holding a community circle with a group of people who do not yet know each other well, such as a new cohort of students or a newly formed research team, can help the group start on the right foot.
Holding a community circle for a group that has been together for a while can strengthen connections, increase trust, show support, and instill a fresh sense of camaraderie among the team. It is very likely that even for well-established groups who know each other well, the circle will provide opportunities to learn more about each other and identify new connections.
Our circle offerings are customized to meet the specific needs of the individuals and groups involved. Please complete the circle request form if you are interested in arranging a facilitated circle for your community, and we will schedule a consultation meeting to discuss your request.
Community Circles - A restorative justice practice that allows community members to share and connect through a structured and facilitated dialogue.
Restorative Circles - A technique that helps people build and restore relationships.
Support Circles - A group of people who come together to support individuals and help them achieve their goals.
RJ In the Lab - A program specifically for research labs that want to build an inclusive working environment where everyone feels heard, seen, and valued for their authentic selves.
| Who Facilitates the Community Building Circle? |
CU Anschutz has a team of staff and faculty from across campus trained to facilitate circles for our campus community. Specifically, certified facilitator(s) will support community engagement, belonging, and inclusion in our campus community. Please complete the circle request form. Once the request is received, our team will work to i dentify facilitators for your circle. Trained Facilitators for the CU Anschutz Campus:
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