Voluntary Simplicity                                           

How to Start a Voluntary Simplicity Discussion Group

• What is "Voluntary Simplicity"?
• How would I start to live more simply?
• Where can I get a course book?
• Who would I invite to a discussion group?
• Where would we meet?
• What should we do at the first meeting?
• Where can I find a list of print resources that relates to Voluntary Simplicity?
• Call the Steering Committee.

• What is "Voluntary Simplicity"?
  
  "[Our] culture has succeeded in creating 'identity consumption' -- a sense that our meaning in life depends upon the significance of what we consume." - Duane Elgin, author, Voluntary Simplicity
  
  "Voluntary Simplicity" is a way of living that is outwardly more simple and strives to achieve a balance between the inner and outer facets of our lives. The purpose isn't to fanatically live with less, but to live with balance in order to achieve greater purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction with what we already have. As Chinese philosopher Lao Tse puts it, "He who knows he has enough is rich."
  
  
• How would I start to live more simply?
  
  The "Voluntary Simplicity Discussion Course" is an eight-week course developed by the Northwest Earth Institute, a non-profit educational organization, to help you establish a group wherein you can exchange ideas, get motivated, and take steps for change. Topics covered in the course provide insight into the notion of voluntary simplicity:
  (a) The meaning of simplicity
  (b) Living more with less
  (c) Your money or your life
  (d) Do you have the time?
  (e) How much is enough?
  (f) Swimming against the tide
  (g) The practice of simplicity
  
  
• Where can I get a course book?
  
  Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI)
  www.nwei.org
  Salt Lake City Public Library
  All branches
  Utah Humanities Council (UHC)
  202 West 300 North
  Salt lake City, UT 84103
  (801) 359-9670
  Utah Society for Environmental Education (USEE)
  350 South 400 East, Suite G-4
  Salt Lake City, UT 84111
  (801)328-1549
  
  The cost is $13.00 which covers printing and shipping.
  
  
• Who would I invite to a discussion group?
  
  Start with an existing group of 8-12 people, such as:
  • book group
  • church group
  • family
  • hobby group
  • neighbors
  • senior group
  • sports team
  • work colleagues
  • youth group
  
  
• Where would we meet?
  
  • churches
  • community centers
  • homes
  • libraries
  • senior centers
  • schools
  
  
• What should we do at the first meeting?
  
  Establish the time and place for the meetings for the next seven weeks.
  Discuss what the group would like to accomplish (suggestions are in the course book but it should be clear that the changes and goals your group is going after are personal and individual not global).
  Select a facilitator (or assign each member to facilitate at some point) and review facilitator guidelines.
  Review tips for a successful group including a commitment from each member to attend the scheduled meetings!
  
  The point of discussion groups is to share ideas - everyone should have a chance to speak - with the focus of discussion being the circle question established in the book.
  
  
• Where can I find a list of print resources that relates to Voluntary Simplicity?
  
  A Voluntary Simplicity booklist is available on the Salt Lake Public Library's website. See also Awakening Earth--Voluntary Simplicity
  
  
• If you need help getting started contact the Steering Committee:
  
  Tim Brown, usee@sisna.com
  Jean Cheney, cheney@utahhumanities.org
  Peggy Christensen, pmurphy@sisna.com or (801) 532-5802
  Angelika Davis, adavus@gt.com
  Stephanie Lucas, stephanielucas@bigplanet.com
  Jacqui Voland, jvoland@media.utah.edu
  

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