What a circle is
A small group of members who meet to work through the same material together. Six to eight people. Some meet in person, most meet online, and one meets in Augusta itself.
Circles are optional, and we mean it
Roughly half the members of the Chautauqua circles read entirely alone, and its founder warned repeatedly against letting anyone believe the circle was compulsory, because members who came to believe that “would otherwise read to profit become discouraged and give it up.” We take that seriously. You can hold any rank in this Institute without ever attending anything.
Solo, household, or circle is a setting on your profile, and you can change it whenever you like.
How a circle runs
- Six to eight members. Where there are enough people for fifteen, we start two circles rather than one large one.
- A scripted agenda, shipped monthly. Nobody has to invent the meeting. The Institute sends the programme, including the reading and the questions.
- A roll call with a real prompt. Every member answers one substantive question by name at the start. It is the cheapest accountability that exists and it is the reason circles survive when their organiser moves away.
- A Warden who keeps the roll and opens the meeting. Service standing, held alongside your rank, never above it.
- Two pacing options per programme. The circle picks.
Starting one
Two members are enough to register a circle. Tell us where you are and we will list it so others can find it, send you the monthly programme, and enter the Warden in the register.
The Augusta circle
Meets in Augusta, Kansas, first and third Tuesdays. Open to any member who can get there, and to any resident of Butler County who wants to see what this is before joining.