Guide: Building a strong adolescent circle

To decide their group rules, each Circle should answer questions such as:

• What will we do (or not do) to make sure that everyone feels equally included?
• Are there words, ways of talking to each other, or other actions that we agree never to use in our Circles?
• Are there things we will always do or never do in our Circles?
• Are there things we will always bring or never bring to our Circles?
• What will we say or not say, if someone says something that we disagree with?
• If someone arrives late, how will we make sure that he or she feels welcome? What should he or she do to keep from interrupting the activity that we are already doing?
• If someone shares ideas or something they have made (such as a drawing or collage), how will we make sure they feel encouraged and respected?
• How will we talk with others outside our Circle about what we do in our sessions? Are there things that we discuss in our Circle that we agree to keep private or confidential?

Give adolescents a chance to use their own ideas as they discuss and agree to their rules. However, make sure that the rules are consistent with human rights principles, especially inclusion and non-discrimination. The Group rules tool gives more examples of rules that could work well for Circles in different phases.

As Circles continue in any of the four phases, members should take time for the Reviewing group rules activity to discuss their progress in using their rules. Just as with setting and reviewing group goals, new Adolescent Circles (in the Starting our circle or Knowing ourselves phases) may find it helpful to include a brief review of rules as one step in a session. Circles that have been working together for some time (such as those in the Connecting or Take action phases) may find it helpful to take an entire session to review and possibly revise their group rules.

Facilitators may also suggest that an Adolescent Circle review their group rules if they have faced difficulties or disagreements while participating in activities together, or if any member feels hurt or excluded. Adolescents in the Circle can refer to their own agreements, to recognize when they have and have not successfully used the rules and to discuss possible changes. They can clarify, change, add or even remove rules from their agreement. This also provides adolescents with an opportunity to review what they have learned and accomplished.