Sign up for a new monthly discussion group which will meet on "Healing Democracy" for the 1st time on Wednesday, Jan. 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, following an optional potluck at 5:30 pm. The ideas for the Action Circle are inspired by a recent book by Parker Palmer called Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Heart. Similar Action Circles are happening in various locations around the country. It’s not a book discussion group, but free copies of the book will be provided to all participants. The basic intention is to create a safe space for focused conversations with a diverse group of people around issues related to reconnecting to our communities and rehumanizing our democracy in these fractured times. The facilitators hope it enlivens everyone involved through provocative questions, fun experiences in citizenry, and renewed communities of people who may disagree about any number of things but who all want our politics to reflect the true dignity of the human spirit. The focus is on the “pre-political” relationships that begin “right here,” between friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Co-facilitators for the sessions are Holly Wilkinson from Richmond who works for the Career Center at UVM, and Shelburne resident David Leo-Nyquist, a former high school teacher and St. Michael’s College education professor. The format for the Action Circle will be monthly 2-hour conversations that continue for six months from January through June on Wednesdays from 6-8 pm, with each session preceded by an optional potluck at the Library at 5:30 pm. There is no cost for these events, and participants are asked to commit to all six sessions. The proposed dates are January 29, February 19, March 19, April 30 May 28, and June 18. For more information, or to reserve a spot in the Action Circle, please contact David Leo-Nyquist at 233-5565 or dleonyquist@gmail.com or Holly Wilkinson at 922-1425 or hwr@gmavt.net.

Feb 9, 2025, 10 AM to 3 PM

Feb 10, 2025, 6 to 8 PM

Feb 13, 2025, 1 to 2:30 PM