About Action Circles

Are you ready to take action and affect positive change?

Do you want exceptional tools to make it happen? 

Are you looking for meaningful experiences and a supportive community to do it with?

Then get involved in a Be The Change Action Circle!

What is an Action Circle?

A Be The Change Action Circle is a group of 8-12 people, who meet for 2 hours a week or bi-weekly for about 8 session to explore personal values and establish new habits in a fun and personal way. Circle members use the trusted and well-researched Action Guide to track their lifestyle changes while connecting with like-minded people in their communities.

Your Action Circle Sidekick: The Action Guide

All Action Circles use the trusted and well-researched manual called the ActionGuide. This living document outlines a range of achievable actions for you to take in this growing movement for change.  At each session, you set your own objectives by choosing any number of actions from the following six categories:

-      Conserve Energy and Water

-      Reduce Material Consumption

-      Increase Health and Well-Being

-      Support a Green and Just Economy

-      Reconnect to Self, Earth, and Others 

-      Build Sustainable Organizations

Click on Action Guide Excerpts to see examples of actions you can choose from!

Or purchase an Action Guide 

As we track our actions from week to week, we feel the momentum of our collective intention. By the end, we live a healthier lifestyle, connect with others, and live lighter on the planet. 

Why Action Circles? 

It’s easier to make positive changes when we meet in Circles!  By creating a culture of mutual support and care, we re-energize our values - discovering that what seems to be too difficult on our own becomes completely manageable with the help of others. Research also shows how likely we are to follow through on our commitments when we choose to be accountable for our actions.  Check this out:

As you can see, Circles are effective and rewarding experiences! 

Types of Action Circles

You get to decide the Action Circle style that’s best for you:

1. The “I Change” Action Circle

This Action Circle uses the Action Guide, interspersed with fun activities, good conversation, and snacks.  You track your actions from week to week as you explore challenges and successes in a supportive community environment.  By the end, you have grown your own sense of personal well-being, the well-being of others, and the health of this planet. 

2. The Deep Green Action Circle

This Action Circle uses the Action Guide, along with your choice of thought-provoking reading material, to create a focused group study program. We have compiled a good choice of courses from our affiliates. Some examples include: Global Warming: Changing C02urse, Menu for the Future, Voluntary Simplicity, and What’s Your Tree? – Living Your Passion and Purpose.

For a full list of available course material, click here.

3. The Collective Action Circle

This Action Circle uses the Action Guide and circle process to focus on a community project. For example, one Action Circle focused on their personal eating habits by reading “Menu For the Future” and then went on to create a community garden and lobbied the municipal government to approve backyard chickens!

How to get involved in an Action Circle

Under “My Account” is a List of All Circles, and we invite you to see if there is an Action Circle currently active in a community near you. Although many people have been engaged in Action Circles for years, the circles arise and reform after 8 sessions, so there is often a window to join in. Best to contact the Convenor/Host and let them know you are interested.

If not, and you are feeling inspired, start a new Action Circle!

Now is the time to get involved - go ahead, Be the Change!