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How Learning Groups Work
Here's what we know from research: You don't transform your thinking by consuming content alone. You transform through dialogue, friction with different viewpoints, and the accountability that comes from learning with others.
That's why STAND Learning is built around Learning Groups—small teams (4-8 people) who work through programs together, challenging each other's assumptions and building genuine understanding through collaborative practice.
Learning Groups are where you get the complete STAND experience: knowledge, skills, AND perspective development. But there are multiple ways to get there, depending on where you're starting.
CONFIDENCE
Confidence = Belief in your ability to act
PERSPECTIVE
Perspective = Frameworks for interpretation and critical thinking
CAPABILITY
Capability = Integrated knowledge and skills for effective action
ENGAGEMENT
Engagement = Active participation in personal, economic, and civic life
TOGETHER. THEY CREATE SYNERGY
Four Transformation Outcomes
The power of Learning Groups: While you can build some confidence and capability through self-paced learning, perspective transformation and engagement activation require the friction, dialogue, and accountability that only small-group learning provides.
Every STAND Learning Group is designed to produce four interconnected outcomes—the heart of our ENGAGE Model™:
Five Types of Learning Groups
STAND offers five distinct group formats, each designed for different learning and collaboration needs. You can combine these formats in any way that serves your goals—for example, a group might start as a Study Circle, add Support Circle elements for mutual encouragement, then evolve into an Action Team when ready to create change.
All groups can meet on the Stand Platform virtually, or locally IRL with the platform providing remote access and online tools to support the group.
These are frameworks, not rigid boxes. Your group can blend formats as your needs evolve. A Study Circle might add Support Circle elements. An Action Team might include Expert Group case consultations. Create the structure that serves your transformation.
Support Circles
Mutual support, encouragement, and accountability for personal growth. Members share challenges, celebrate progress, and help each other stay committed to personal development goals.
Best for: Navigating shared challenges (career transitions, behavior change, financial wellness, civic engagement), building sustainable habits, making major life decisions.
Core activities: Check-ins, deep-dive sessions, accountability reviews, peer support without advice-giving
Study Circles
Collaborative learning on shared topics including book clubs, course discussion groups, and skill-building teams. Members explore content together, deepening understanding through dialogue.
Best for: Mastering frameworks, reading challenging books together, applying workshop content, developing expertise in a subject area
Core activities: Discussing readings, applying frameworks to real cases, deliberate practice, teaching each other.
Action Teams
Generate positions, policies, or initiatives for the common good. Focused on community organizing, advocacy, and creating positive civic impact.
Best for: Policy advocacy, creating community resources, organizing and mobilization, mutual aid projects, holding institutions accountable
Core activities: Strategic planning, project work, coalition building, public action, measuring impact
Expert Groups
Peer learning communities where members who have developed expertise come together to deepen mastery, solve advanced problems, and push each other's thinking to higher levels.
Best for: Advancing from competent to expert-level practice, case consultation, teaching preparation, framework development
Core activities: Case consultation, deliberate practice, research review, creating teaching resources
Mastermind Groups
Peer advisory boards where accomplished individuals help each other achieve ambitious goals through collective intelligence, accountability, and strategic guidance.
Best for: Entrepreneurs and business leaders, professionals pursuing significant career goals, anyone working on ambitious personal or professional objectives
Core activities: Hot seat strategic consulting, accountability for commitments, sharing resources and opportunities, pushing beyond comfortable thinking
Three Pathways to Finding Your Learning Group
Every STAND program offers three levels of engagement, depending on your time and goals:
Explore
Explore First, Connect Later
Best for: Members who want to test the waters before committing to group work.
How it works:
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STAND members explore programs on your own using the self-paced course options
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Join Open Groups to learn and meet other members
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Attend events and mixers to meet other members working on similar challenges
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Form a Learning Group when you find 3-5 others ready to dive deeper into a program together
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Complete the workshop pathway as a team, building both skills and relationships
You get to know the content and the community before committing to intensive group work. You find people who share your interests and challenges naturally.
Jump In
Jump Into a Public Mentored Workshop
Best for: Members ready to commit immediately and learn by doing.
How it works:
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Enroll in an upcoming workshop for a program you need right now (members receive a 25% discount)
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Meet your cohort (4-8 members) in Week 1
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Complete the 4-week workshop together—readings, discussions, projects, and collaborative problem-solving
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Form an ongoing Learning Group with workshop members to continue learning beyond the program
Get immediate structure, accountability, and community. You learn alongside others facing similar challenges, which accelerates both skill development and perspective shifts.
Lead
Lead Your Own Group
Best for: Natural facilitators, community organizers, or members with existing networks.
How it works:
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Take the free "Leading Learning" workshop to develop facilitation skills
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Recruit 3-7 members from your network, workplace, or community
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Facilitate a workshop for any STAND program using our complete facilitation guides
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Build an ongoing Learning Group that tackles multiple programs over time
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Get a Dedicated Space for your group: Contact Stand for assistance,
Develop leadership skills while serving your community. You control the timing, recruit people you already know, and create learning opportunities tailored to your group's needs.
Share Your Work: Stand Makers Newsletter
All Learning Groups are invited to publish their work in Stand Makers, our member newsletter.
Whether you've completed a workshop project, developed a new framework, organized a community initiative, or created resources for others—we want to celebrate and share your accomplishments.
Showcases your group's transformation and impact
Inspires other members with real examples of STAND learning in action
Amplifies your work to reach the broader STAND community
Creates accountability and recognition for your efforts
Contributes to our collective knowledge and democratic power
Join the STAND Makers Newsletter
Become a Member Today
Start your journey with Stand Learning and connect with a community ready to support your growth. Empower yourself to lead in life and work.