Guys' Gathering Circle Training - Fall 2019

This free training is for men who wish to learn more about and/or volunteer to co-facilitate Guys' Gathering Circles with the Center for Dispute Resolution at Missouri State University. The training includes a light breakfast and lunch. Volunteers who attend should be willing to co-facilitate at least one Guys' Gathering Circle group. Circles are scheduled at area middle schools and high schools during the school day. If you choose to volunteer with this program we will work with you to assign you to a circle that fits your schedule.

About Guy's Gathering Circles

Guys’ Gathering Circle is a structured educational group for middle-school and high-school boys. It brings together groups of 4-10 boys at area middle schools and high schools for about an hour a week for 6-8 weeks. In Guys’ Gathering Circles, trained college-aged facilitators work with the boys to explore topics relating to their social, emotional, and physical well-being. These meetings provide an action-oriented context where boys can explore the positive and not-so-positive definitions of masculinity and how these expectations impact their own diverse identities. Groups help youth learn to communicate more effectively so they can express their unique personalities and connect with the important people in their lives.

Curriculum: Each week the Guys’ Gathering circle will address a topic aimed at helping boys become honest, strong, respectful leaders. Topics may be adjusted based on the needs of the group and include the following:

• Healthy competition

• The male "box"

• Bullying

• Valuing diversity

• Safe expression of emotions

• Managing conflict

• Media messages about manhood

• Making healthy decisions

• Communicating with others

Boys learn best through action, and in Circle boys take part in focused activities that include games, group challenges, and competitions, followed by discussion and reflection. Through these experiences guys learn how to communicate more effectively, appreciate the diversity of others, uncover their unique strengths, develop leadership skills, and connect with the important people in their lives.

Structure: In middle schools and high schools where circles are offered, guidance counselors select students who may benefit from the program. The circle sessions convene during the school day over the course of 6-8 weeks, typically for 50-60 minutes once a week.

In each session college-aged facilitators introduce a theme for the week. Next the boys take part in a fun activity that further explores the topic. Activities might include games, physical challenges, art projects, role playing, and more. This is followed with discussion where facilitators help the boys reflect on the activities and apply what they have learned to their lives.

Your Role as a Circle Facilitator: This day-long training will prepare you to serve as a Guys’ Gathering Facilitator. If you opt to volunteer with the program, you will be assigned a co-facilitator to work with. Based on your availability, the CDR will assign you to work with one or more school circles (at each school circles meet at different times and on different days of the week, which makes it easy to work around your class schedule or other commitments).