The Natural Step Study Circles Soon To Begin

Here's an invite from the folks at The Natural Step Monona (http://www.tnsmonona.org/). New study circles are forming.

Greetings!

What’s the best way to learn more about sustainability and have a great time in the process? A study circle on The Natural Step!

There are no tests or pop quizzes, no dress codes, no demerits, and no grades. There are once-per-week meetings, invigorating conversations, enthused citizens, a celebratory “graduation” pot-luck, and a great book to ground it all—The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices by Sarah James and Torbjörn Lahti.

The Natural Step Monona encourages you to sign up for the spring round, beginning the last week of February. Each circle—a maximum of twelve people—has a trained facilitator. A free study guide is provided; the book costs $25.

If you are interested you can [contact Heather Gates (hgates@midplains.net)] with your first, second, and third choices of day and time. We will then plan the circles around the times that the greatest number of people can participate. That’s it!

Need a little more encouragement? How about this: Participating in a study circle on The Natural Step framework for sustainability is the best way to learn about sustainability in depth. A circle provides ideas for individual, as well as community action, and gives momentum to the shared ideas. In the last year and one-half, 47 people have participated in study circles in Monona. (We’ve had five people from Madison and one from Cottage Grove, so you don’t have to be from Monona.)

Project Leader of the Swedish Eco-Municipality movement, Torbjörn Lahti says, “Perhaps the most important factor for their success in becoming eco-municipalities was study circles. It’s a question of taking control over their own situation and their own future.”

Monona Alderperson Bob Miller participated in a study circle. “Inspiring, invigorating, and enjoyable, I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue and thought-provoking discussion every Sunday evening,” says Miller. “It also provided a stronger sense of community within Monona. I believe The Natural Step is the future of Monona and hope the city embraces The Natural Step.”

We’d love to have you join us! I hope to hear from you.

Heather Gates
The Natural Step Monona
Volunteer
663-2459