Study Circle Six Main Page

I. Welcome

Coming together and settling in with a brief reading or contemplative activity.


Understanding Change
•
Making It Happen

II. Overview

Social and political change occurs only within the “window” of ideas and attitudes that are acceptable to most people in a given population.

Pressure to change our health care system is growing. How might we, as citizens, influence the shape of this change?

III. Group Discussion on Readings

  • After reading about the Overton Window can you think of any examples of this phenomenon?
  • How does this “window” relate to the health care debate in this country?
  • Who are the change agents in our society? What roles do they play?
  • Who defines the issues?
  • Where and how do morality, democracy and economics intersect”?
  • As “citizen think tanks” how can we become change agents?
  • Is our nation’s political “window” large enough to contain a health care design that is affordable, accessible and just?
IV. Group Exercise – Goals and Solutions

Review the results of the forms from Study Circles Two and Four. Use poster papers to list them for everyone to see.

  • Are there any changes you want to make at this time? If so, make them.
  • Now, as a group, try to reach consensus on your Top FIVE Goals and Solutions Form.
    1. Use a third sheet of poster paper to collect the group’s suggestions.
    2. As a group, select the top five from this larger list and list them on the fourth sheet. (The facilitator provides a method to tally the responses. Show of hands? Secret ballot? Dots?)
The group organizer should fill out this final form and send it with the forms from Study Circles Two and Four to the indicated address.

V. Being an Engaged Advocate for a Reformed Health Care System

I Count
•
I Care
•
I Can
  • How can you help to empower other to become more engaged?
  • What role do you see yourself playing in the health care reform movement?
  • What skills, talents, and interests can you lend to growing our study circle project?
Please complete the Contact Form provided and turn it in to the group’s organizer for mailing.

VI. Closing Activities

  • Reflections on our group experience. Go around the circle and briefly describe your experiences as a participant. On a scale of 1-10 how has the experience change the way you look at health care in this country?
  • Thank yourselves and one another for making time in your lives to involve yourselves in active citizenship.