Following graduation from the "Getting Ahead™" class, committed participants become Circle® Leaders. Circle Leaders meet individually with their Allies or as a group to learn about a new resource or skill. Every fifth Thursday, Circle Leaders, members of the current Getting Ahead class, Allies, the Guiding Coalition and Circles of Hope Staff hold a "Big View" meeting with selected members of the community to discuss the large social and economic conditions that affect everyone.
     Preceding meetings -- Getting Ahead, Circle Leaders or Guiding Coalition -- each person is asked to share something "New and Good." Knowing they will be asked means that everyone looks for something "New and Good" during the week. Sharing focuses on the positive in life rather than the negative.
     Also, Circles participants are asked to appreciate the person sitting next to them at the conclusion of a class or meeting. "Appreciations" help make people more aware of the resources they and others can offer to the group.