We shared RC tools at three evening meetings in our rural United States community. Each evening had a focus. The first evening was on care of the environment, the second on ending white racism, and the third on ending classism. We tried not to use RC terminology—we had to slow down to think about what we were saying and who we were talking to. Each evening had a different leader and co-leader. All RCers were invited. 


We are now ready to have an introduction to RC. We will invite those who came to the earlier “tool-sharing” meetings and their friends. 


Below are comments from RCers who participated in the meetings.


• I knew that if people felt noticed, were listened to, and felt heard that this would equal success. It was easy for me to invite people I care about, and it became even easier when we decided to avoid RC terminology.
• We didn’t try to cover everything. We wanted to give people a taste of using RC tools in their climate change work. One person said, “I’m going to use this tomorrow!” We incorporated lightness and hopefulness throughout.
• The events allowed me to show more of myself to people that I don’t know well. I already knew some of them and went away feeling more relaxed and hopeful about our connection. I’m also more confident about inviting people into RC and expecting them to embrace it. Using issues like ending racism, the climate crisis, and classism gives people a reason to learn about RC.
• I took away how smart it was to choose three topics and focus on one each night. I think this attracted people. The subject matter drew them in. It was a good way to show the power of telling our stories and the power of listening. I think everyone was having feelings about the chaos and pain in the world, and it was clear in the closing circle that people felt more connected and less alone and thus more able to take action.
• I first felt huge resistance to the project. I didn’t want to invite anyone. I certainly did not want to lead. I quietly hoped that I had other activities scheduled on the chosen dates. I did ask myself to think about my resistance—and resistance immediately began to fade. I thought about (1) my love and admiration for my fellow RCers, (2) the urgency of the climate crisis, racism, and classism, and (3) that I’d already decided to become more involved with climate action. Reasons to resist were fading fast! I admitted that I really liked the idea of working with X—, in particular. And when prepared adequately, I know I am just fine in front of a group. I also knew that the worst consequence of inviting someone would just be hearing “no.” All my “rational” reasons to resist—gone! I am pleased with myself and with my RC Community. It’s exciting to share what we know with other wide-world efforts.
• I got to look at my feelings of excitement and hopefulness in sharing these tools with others. It was also an opportunity to look at my internalized “mental health” oppression—I noticed my hesitation in inviting certain people because I didn’t want them to think of me as “weird.” I saw how people were able to listen to others when they knew they would get a chance to be listened to. Folks were hungry to tell their stories and wanted to hear others; it brought us noticeably closer. During the climate crisis event, a meteorology student said he would use some of what he had learned when his group goes to schools to teach about the climate emergency. He was referring to paired listening, speaking order, and panels.