Study Circles Aurora IL

Study Circles Aurora ILStudy Circles Aurora ILStudy Circles Aurora IL

Study Circles Aurora IL

Study Circles Aurora ILStudy Circles Aurora ILStudy Circles Aurora IL
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Changing Communities 

One Conversation 

at a Time

Together we can

Together we canTogether we canTogether we can
Join Us

Changing Communities 

One Conversation 

at a Time

Together we can

Together we canTogether we canTogether we can
Join Us
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  • Participant Form
  • Calendar of Events

Welcome TO STUDY CIRCLES AURORA, Illinois

sign-up today - click here to join the dialogue

notice of schedule change and need for facilitators

Due to a limited numbers of facilitators available for the next round of dialogue groups we have changed the schedule for the Spring 2021 session of Study Circles Aurora. If you are interested in training to become a facilitator in the Dialogue for Change Here is the schedule for Facilitator Training for Study Circles Aurora via Zoom. Facilitator Training - 2 Day Sessions - March 31 and April 1, 2021 - 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Please click on this link to make us aware of your interest in becoming a facilitator.

Dialogue Groups Schedule

KICK-OFF EVENT

THURSDAY, April 8, 2021

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Pre-Registration Required

Aurora Public Website

You must have Zoom Capability

Dialogue Groups Begin

Week of April 12 through Week of May 17rd 2021

GROUPS WILL BE ASSIGNED BY

MARCH 19TH AND WILL BE EMAILED OUT TO PARTICIPANTS AND FACILITATORS

Dialogue wrap-up session

TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2021

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Pre-Registration Required

Aurora Public Website

You must have Zoom Capability 

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SIGN UP FOR OUR DIALOGUE GROUP

Our ultimate goal is to create positive community change that includes everyone.  If you are interested in participating in Study Circles Aurora, by becoming a participant, an organizing volunteer or facilitator sign up today.


LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. 

BE A PART OF THE CHANGE.


CLICK HERE TO BECOME A PART OF THE CHANGE
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The following poem was written by  Karen Fullett-Christensen, Aurora Poet Laureate 

Tell Me Who You Are


Your hair, eyes, and skin have their own color

your body has its shape and curve


I want to know more…


I want to know what worries you

what makes you laugh

what brings you joy

what triggers tears


I want to know your recipes

I want to know what books you read

what music makes you want to dance

what mantra helps you start your day


I want to know your pipedreams

your nightmares

your secret longings

who you love, and why you do


I want more than a gut response

than the judgment forming in my mind

when we pass each other on the street

when we hear each other’s names ring out.


About Us

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What is Dialogue?

Our Vision and Mission

What is Dialogue?

YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE!

  The principle of dialogue in organizing, engagement, and equity work refers to intentional forms of conversation that 

are used to improve mutual understanding, appreciation, and respect among the diverse individuals and groups in 

our communities. 


 While many forms of dialogue 

occur in-person and through 

“face-to-fa

YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE!

  The principle of dialogue in organizing, engagement, and equity work refers to intentional forms of conversation that 

are used to improve mutual understanding, appreciation, and respect among the diverse individuals and groups in 

our communities. 


 While many forms of dialogue 

occur in-person and through 

“face-to-face” interactions, telecommunication technologies have created new opportunities 

for engagement in 

safe online platforms that 

will allow us to 

mediate dialogue among individuals and groups who may be located 

anywhere in the community.


Our dialogues create a forum in which each participant is welcome and encouraged 

to participate, and 

in which diverse viewpoints 

can be shared without fear 

of social intimidation or repercussions. 


The dialogues are open to 

the public and any 

community member

is welcome to attend, 

particularly when the topics 

being discussed affect 

a community.


Facilitation is essential to the success of a dialogue process. Facilitators provide the conversational structure, establish ground rules, promote equitable participation, 

and ensure that the process

and discussions remain on 

topic, and productive, 

while ensuring that participants behave respectfully toward one another, and that everyone involved feels safe, 

welcomed and heard..


 At the conclusion of the dialogue, participants are encouraged to reflect on

the next steps to changing

their communities, while providing 

useful feedback to organizers and 

facilitators on how to improve 

the dialogue process going forward. 




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Our History

Our Vision and Mission

What is Dialogue?

YOU WILL BE OUR HISTORY! 

May 2020

Study Circles Aurora founded by 

Cathy Gaddis, Aurora, IL.


Following the racial incidents in Ferguson, MO, Cathy Gaddis, worked with Benedictine University's  "Teach-In on Social Justice 

and Race”.  She recruited a diverse group

of students, from the university. 

to participate in a demonstration 

round table d

YOU WILL BE OUR HISTORY! 

May 2020

Study Circles Aurora founded by 

Cathy Gaddis, Aurora, IL.


Following the racial incidents in Ferguson, MO, Cathy Gaddis, worked with Benedictine University's  "Teach-In on Social Justice 

and Race”.  She recruited a diverse group

of students, from the university. 

to participate in a demonstration 

round table dialogue group, 

using the Everyday Democracy's

Dialogue to Change model.  


Students told their story of different times that each of them had encountered racism and prejudice and how those encounters had impacted their lives. The session, with over 100 students in attendance, was the beginning of the work to integrate 

the Dialogue to Change model into 

the university's culture.


In 2019, after the third annual Teach-In was held at Benedictine University,

the university has began to explore

the creation of a for-credit course, 

as a Learning Community 

based on the 

Every Day Democracy 

Dialogue to Change process.


July 7, 2020

Dr. Vincent R. Gaddis is named

Director of Strategic Development,

Planning and Partnership Relations.


Cathy Gaddis  is named

Director of Logistical Planning and Educational Training


July 23, 2020

Review for filing of 501 (3) C begun

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Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision and Mission

YOU ARE OUR VISION AND MISSION!

 

Our vision is to strive to provide a platform through which our community can connect, through dialogue, regarding critical issues and with the goal of becoming a model for people of different races, ethnic groups and backgrounds to form relationships and be enabled to participate fully in our community’s e

YOU ARE OUR VISION AND MISSION!

 

Our vision is to strive to provide a platform through which our community can connect, through dialogue, regarding critical issues and with the goal of becoming a model for people of different races, ethnic groups and backgrounds to form relationships and be enabled to participate fully in our community’s economic, political, civic, educational and cultural future 

in a productive way.


Our Mission is to

bring the forum of public talk 

to everyone in our community

and assist the community

and companies to organize 

by bringing all kinds of people 

to the table using Dialogue to Change.


By utilizing and implementing

the Every-Day Democracy. 

Dialogue to Change Process 

Study Circle Aurora seeks to 

re-vitalize the dialogue process 

in Aurora, IL and our mission is 

to develop a model that would contribute 

to racial dialogue in our community

and allow the dialogue to be sustained 

for the next generation.


We will be bring people

together from all backgrounds,

to attend community conversations

about racism and other critical issues 

which may be affecting our community.


We will facilitate and support deeper discussions on race, racism, 

and racial equity by addressing

critical community issues.


We will work to engage 

communities in dialogue and 

problem solving 

and provide opportunities 

for citizen empowerment 

by giving the participants

a safe place to talk about 

their concerns for their communities 

and their desire to 

find a way to move forward.

  

We believe that communities of 

every size and demographics 

need routine opportunities for 

people of diverse backgrounds to 

dialogue with each other 

and with public officials,

and to  have a voice in 

decision making, in order to work 

together for stronger communities.



STUDY CIRCLES AURORA & Every day democracy: DIALOGUE for change PROCESS

Be A PART OF THE CHANGE

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CHANGE CAN ONLY HAPPEN WHEN YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE DIALOGUE. JOIN THE CIRCLE NOW!

If you are interested in participating in Study Circles Aurora,

by becoming a participant, an organizing volunteer or facilitator all you 

have to do is let us know you are interested in getting involved by clicking on the GET STARTED TODAY button below and we will contact you and talk to you about how you would like to help.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.

GET STARTED TODAY!

Our CURRENT Partners in dialogue

AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY

AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT

AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY

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Aurora Public Library is an essential partner for delivery of digital programing for Study Circles Aurora providing Zoom and Webinar capabilities for outreach to the Aurora Community and beyond.

Find out more

AURORA TOWNSHIP

AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT

AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY

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Aurora Township is Supporting Study Circles Aurora with numerous resources.

AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT

AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT

AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Aurora Police Department is supporting Study Circles Aurora by participation, by members at all levels, in dialogue groups.

ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT

ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT

AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Elgin Police Department is supporting Study Circles Aurora by participation, by members at all levels, in dialogue groups. 

Elgin Public Library

ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Elgin Public Library

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Elgin Public Library is an essential partner for delivery of digital programing for Study Circles Aurora providing Zoom and Webinar capabilities for outreach to the Elgin Community and beyond. 

UNIVERSITY

ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Elgin Public Library

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Partner with Study Circles Aurora

Be a part of the change.

Let's see your logo here!

we need your ORGANIZATION as a partner

CONTACT US
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INVEST IN THE CHANGE

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Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

WE ARE NOT TAKING DONATIONS AT THIS TIME.

As we move forward, we will need your help and we will be letting you know how you can contribute to the Dialogue for Change

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