NFHCA Circle-Ups
Inspired by the NFHCA Coffee Talk with Marlene Bjornsrud where she discussed the concept of “Moai,” the NFHCA is kicking off a community program called “Circle-Ups.”
Circle-Ups are spaces for you come together with a small community and find meaningful connection with a group of fellow coaches. The NFHCA’s Circle-Ups will be entirely member-driven — members will be placed in a Circle and will take ownership of their meeting space and the purpose of their Circle.
The Circles will be grouped randomly from those who signed-up (in a video reveal!). We will do our best to evenly distribute members from each member group: Division I, Division II, Division III, high school, club, and affiliate.
What is a “moai?”
Mo•ai (/mo,eye/) Japan
noun
- A group of lifelong friends
- A social support group that forms in order to provide varying support from social, financial, health, or spiritual interests
In small neighborhoods across Okinawa, Japan, friends “meet for a common purpose” (sometimes daily and sometimes a couple days a week) to gossip, experience life, and to share advice and even financial assistance when needed. They call these groups their moai.
Traditionally, groups of about five young children were paired together and it’s then that they made a commitment to each other for life. As their second family, they would meet regularly with their moai for both work and play and to pool resources. Some moais have lasted over 90 years!
Circle-Ups Step-by-Step
- Sign up below.
- Tune in for the video selection of the first-generation Circle-Ups.
- Receive an email from the NFHCA with the contact information of your Circle and more details.
- It’s up to you! Decide on a date and time to meet virtually with your Circle-Up, think about what you want your Circle-Up to do and how often you want to touch base.
What you might be wondering.
What should we do in our Circle?
It’s totally up to you!
Maybe your group agrees that you need a non-judgmental space to vent, maybe you’d like to be a book club or have each member give a presentation about their coaching philosophy, or your group might want to put coaching aside for a night and talk about life.
Everything is on the table — make the Circle-Up something you’ll look forward to.
Do we have to meet on Zoom?
The platform and way you connect with your Circle, again, is entirely up to you.
To spark some ideas: you could meet weekly over Zoom or set up an email thread, you could send cards and letters or pick up the phone.
I missed the deadline, how do I sign-up?
Depending on interest, the NFHCA will organize a second-generation of Circles.
If you missed the deadline, but are interested in participating, send us an email.
Can we decide on changes to the NFHCA?
No NFHCA-related action can be taken during a Circle-Up, that is reserved for official NFHCA committees. Circle-Ups are spaces for you come together with a small community and find meaningful connection with a group of fellow coaches.
But, if you come up with good ideas or suggestions in the midst of your conversations, we’d love to hear them!