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How Learning Groups Work at STAND

Be Real. Get Smart. Have Fun.

Where Growth Happens in Real Time
"Growth begins with change. Change begins with courage. Courage begins with trust."

Why Learning Groups Matter

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.

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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.

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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.

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:

The Four Transformation Outcomes
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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. 

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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.

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Remember: 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

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Explore First, Connect Later

Best for: Members who want to test the waters before committing to group work.

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How it works:

  1. STAND members explore programs on your own using the self-paced course options

  2. Join Open Groups to learn and meet other members

  3. Attend events and mixers to meet other members working on similar challenges

  4. Form a Learning Group when you find 3-5 others ready to dive deeper into a program together

  5. Complete the workshop pathway as a team, building both skills and relationships

 

Why this works: 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.

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Jump Into a Public Mentored Workshop

Best for: Members ready to commit immediately and learn by doing.

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How it works:

  1. Enroll in an upcoming workshop for a program you need right now (members receive a 25% discount)

  2. Meet your cohort (4-8 members) in Week 1

  3. Complete the 4-week workshop together—readings, discussions, projects, and collaborative problem-solving

  4. Form an ongoing Learning Group with workshop members to continue learning beyond the program

 

Why this works: You get immediate structure, accountability, and community. You learn alongside others facing similar challenges, which accelerates both skill development and perspective shifts.

3

Lead Your Own Group

Best for: Natural facilitators, community organizers, or members with existing networks.

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How it works:

  1. Take the free "Leading Learning" workshop to develop facilitation skills

  2. Recruit 3-7 members from your network, workplace, or community

  3. Facilitate a workshop for any STAND program using our complete facilitation guides

  4. Build an ongoing Learning Group that tackles multiple programs over time

  5. Get a Dedicated Space for your group: Contact Stand for assistance,​

 

Why this works: You 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.

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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.

Publishing in Stand Makers:

Showcases your group's transformation and impact

Creates accountability and recognition for your efforts

Inspires other members with real examples of STAND learning in action

Contributes to our collective knowledge and democratic power

Amplifies your work to reach the broader STAND community

That's what Learning Groups do. That's how STAND works.

You learn together.

You transform together.

You engage together—in your personal growth, economic empowerment, and civic participation. And when you're ready, you share what you've created with the wider community.

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The rising tide lifts all boats. Build your boat. Join the tide. Share your journey.

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