About Us

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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. 

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 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.

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(c)3 C began

June 2021

Study Circles Illinois becomes the 

11th Anchor Partner of 

Everyday Democracy

October 2022

Study Circles Espanol Dialogue Groups

Study Circles Illinois has begun hosting all Spanish Speaking Dialogue Groups in partnership with the Gail Borden Library 

in Elgin, IL

www.studycirclesespanol.org