We hope to start a new Franklin Circle here in Denver soon, it will be the last one John Wren will personally organize and facilitate. If you are interested, contact him at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com.
If you'd like to start a new IDEA Cafe and/or Franklin Circle, attend the Denver IDEA Cafe. No meeting this Friday because of the holiday (Happy Thanksgiving!), join us December 3 when Ken Wyble from the South Metro Chamber of Commerce will be chairing the meeting. We hope to have a new South Denver IDEA Cafe starting soon. For more see http://meetup.com/Denver-IDEA-Cafe.
Want to start a Franklin Circle mastermind group with your friends. For tips about how to get started see http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Franklin-Circle-Adult-Self-Directed-Learning-Group
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
I'm looking for a few companions to be part of the new Franklin Circle I'm forming to help me as I start your new, free Small Business Chamber of Commerce, a group that will meet every other week or so to help each other start and/or grow our individual careers, project, campaigns, and/or businesses.
A mastermind group? Sort of. To understand the difference, join us for this free, open 4-week session either Friday afternoons at 4:30 p.m., or Sunday evenings at 6:15 p.m. Contact me if you are interested or have questions at (303)861-1447 or JohnSWren@aol.com.
Here's the Craig's List posting I just made about the free 4 weeks session that starts this week:
Companions (Capitol Hill)
Community Room College
This free, open group studies the new book The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything-- A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin, SJ. and helps those who are interested organize Franklin Circles, independent self-directed learning groups.
I've been organizing and facilitating groups in Denver based on the Ignatian spirituality so well expressed in James Martin's new book, The Jesuit Guide to Practically Everything.
Jesuit Guide Discussion Group
Friday, October 29, 2010 at 4:30PM
Ignatian spirituality is the guiding philosophy of Community Room College, the Denver IDEA Cafe, Franklin Circles, and the new, free Small Business Chamber of Commerce http://meetup.com/Small-Business-Chamber.
Join us any week as we gather to read a passage from the book and discuss our experience focused on these topics:
Week #1: You are OK now, start where you are.
Week #2: Heros: Lessons in living.
Week #3: Higher Power: Spiritual living.
Week #4: Proceeding: What's next?
At each meeting we'll follow this agenda:
*Introductions/ Where are you now?
*Reading
*Discussion
*Final words/ What's changed?
No RSVP is required to attend this meeting, but if you do RSVP you'll get a reminder about our meeting each week and it's an easy way to invite friends who might be interested.
There is also a meeting each Sunday evening at Denver's only Jesuit parish, Loyola Church, 23rd & York, Denver, right after the 5:30 p.m. mass.
Check out what members are saying about Community Room College and Franklin Circles:
"BIG Benefits" - Larry Nelson
"I believe that with more members this could be a great group.
Interesting and diverse group of attendees" - Jay Gegenberg
"Good chance to meet some new people with similar interests in business development / networking." - Michael Ballou
"If you have a curious mind, and enjoy an open and honest exchange of ideas, within a structured-yet-open framework, you'd probably enjoy it. If you are all about yourself, you might be in the wrong place." - Barry Wolfman
A mastermind group? Sort of. To understand the difference, join us for this free, open 4-week session either Friday afternoons at 4:30 p.m., or Sunday evenings at 6:15 p.m. Contact me if you are interested or have questions at (303)861-1447 or JohnSWren@aol.com.
Here's the Craig's List posting I just made about the free 4 weeks session that starts this week:
Companions (Capitol Hill)
Community Room College
This free, open group studies the new book The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything-- A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin, SJ. and helps those who are interested organize Franklin Circles, independent self-directed learning groups.
I've been organizing and facilitating groups in Denver based on the Ignatian spirituality so well expressed in James Martin's new book, The Jesuit Guide to Practically Everything.
Jesuit Guide Discussion Group
Friday, October 29, 2010 at 4:30PM
Ignatian spirituality is the guiding philosophy of Community Room College, the Denver IDEA Cafe, Franklin Circles, and the new, free Small Business Chamber of Commerce http://meetup.com/Small-Business-Chamber.
Join us any week as we gather to read a passage from the book and discuss our experience focused on these topics:
Week #1: You are OK now, start where you are.
Week #2: Heros: Lessons in living.
Week #3: Higher Power: Spiritual living.
Week #4: Proceeding: What's next?
At each meeting we'll follow this agenda:
*Introductions/ Where are you now?
*Reading
*Discussion
*Final words/ What's changed?
No RSVP is required to attend this meeting, but if you do RSVP you'll get a reminder about our meeting each week and it's an easy way to invite friends who might be interested.
There is also a meeting each Sunday evening at Denver's only Jesuit parish, Loyola Church, 23rd & York, Denver, right after the 5:30 p.m. mass.
Check out what members are saying about Community Room College and Franklin Circles:
"BIG Benefits" - Larry Nelson
"I believe that with more members this could be a great group.
Interesting and diverse group of attendees" - Jay Gegenberg
"Good chance to meet some new people with similar interests in business development / networking." - Michael Ballou
"If you have a curious mind, and enjoy an open and honest exchange of ideas, within a structured-yet-open framework, you'd probably enjoy it. If you are all about yourself, you might be in the wrong place." - Barry Wolfman
Sunday, October 10, 2010
New, free Small Business Chamber aquires Community Room College
Community Room College is now part of the new, free Small Business Chamber of Commerce.
Announcing the change, the founder of both groups, John Wren, said, "I've always said the best form of adult learning is to start a new business. The Small Business Chamber will be using the Community Room College approach to adult education through independent self-directed learning groups to help our members start or join business peer advisory groups. Other topics such as adjusting to retirement, the arts, and good citizenship will continue to the focus of groups formed by our Community Room College division. More will be announced about this in the next few days."
Wren has been organizing and facilitating adult learning groups since 1994. Groups he has started included Franklin Circles, Denver Socrates Cafe, Denver Speakers Corner, the Denver IDEA Cafe, and the Jesuit Guide Discussion Group. Wren is past president of the University of Denver Graduate Student Association, the Denver City Club, the Ro cky Mountain Direct Marketing Association, and the Metro South Optimists Club. He has taught for the American Management Association, the University of Denver, Arapahoe Community College, Casper Junior College, and many adult learning programs such as Denver Free University. He attended Cornell College and the Univeristy of Denver where he earned a BA ('69) and an MBA ('78). He is the father of four adult childeren.
Announcing the change, the founder of both groups, John Wren, said, "I've always said the best form of adult learning is to start a new business. The Small Business Chamber will be using the Community Room College approach to adult education through independent self-directed learning groups to help our members start or join business peer advisory groups. Other topics such as adjusting to retirement, the arts, and good citizenship will continue to the focus of groups formed by our Community Room College division. More will be announced about this in the next few days."
Wren has been organizing and facilitating adult learning groups since 1994. Groups he has started included Franklin Circles, Denver Socrates Cafe, Denver Speakers Corner, the Denver IDEA Cafe, and the Jesuit Guide Discussion Group. Wren is past president of the University of Denver Graduate Student Association, the Denver City Club, the Ro cky Mountain Direct Marketing Association, and the Metro South Optimists Club. He has taught for the American Management Association, the University of Denver, Arapahoe Community College, Casper Junior College, and many adult learning programs such as Denver Free University. He attended Cornell College and the Univeristy of Denver where he earned a BA ('69) and an MBA ('78). He is the father of four adult childeren.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
IDEA Cafe Now Also Sample Franklin Circle
Starting this week, I'm trying something new at the weekly Denver IDEA Cafe.
In addition to the speakers who share their startup experience and the brainstorming, I'm going to change the format slightly to make it a sample Franklin Circle. I'll be encouraging people who are interested in starting a Franklin Circle in their neighborhood to attend, as well as the people who are normally in attendance, people starting in a new direction with their career, starting a new campaign or project, or starting a new business.
If you're interested in starting or joining a Franklin Circle in your neighborhood, contact me and we'll discuss what would make sense for you as a next step. Contact me at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.
In addition to the speakers who share their startup experience and the brainstorming, I'm going to change the format slightly to make it a sample Franklin Circle. I'll be encouraging people who are interested in starting a Franklin Circle in their neighborhood to attend, as well as the people who are normally in attendance, people starting in a new direction with their career, starting a new campaign or project, or starting a new business.
If you're interested in starting or joining a Franklin Circle in your neighborhood, contact me and we'll discuss what would make sense for you as a next step. Contact me at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The New York Times most popular articles at the moment have to do with education.
We can all agree there is a big problem with how our children are being educated, but there is little agreement about what needs to be done.
My goal is to encourage the formation of an adult self-directed learning group in each neighborhood in Colorado by the elections in November, 2012.
To find out more, join me any Friday at the free, open Franklin Circle I facilitate here in Denver. Can you join us this week? To find out more and to RSVP, click on the link to the right . --->
We can all agree there is a big problem with how our children are being educated, but there is little agreement about what needs to be done.
My goal is to encourage the formation of an adult self-directed learning group in each neighborhood in Colorado by the elections in November, 2012.
To find out more, join me any Friday at the free, open Franklin Circle I facilitate here in Denver. Can you join us this week? To find out more and to RSVP, click on the link to the right . --->
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
I'm recruiting potential group leaders on new topics for next fall. If you know anyone who might be interested in leading a Franklin Circle focused on their topic, please forward a link of this site along to them, OK? They will thank you, and so will I if you'll let me know what you've done. Questions? Contact me at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Caucuses Tonight!
Being involved in politics is one of the best forms of adult education!
To learn how to participate tonight, take 15 minutes and quickly read through: http://www.COCaucus.org
Attend tonight's caucus in your neighborhood, then join us this Friday, 4 p.m. at Panera Bread. We're going to announce the formation of a new Franklin Circle focused on getting more good people elected in 2012. You?
To learn how to participate tonight, take 15 minutes and quickly read through: http://www.COCaucus.org
Attend tonight's caucus in your neighborhood, then join us this Friday, 4 p.m. at Panera Bread. We're going to announce the formation of a new Franklin Circle focused on getting more good people elected in 2012. You?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Do you have a passion for grassroots business and/or politics? Would you be willing to share what you know with others who are just getting started?
Then consider leading a Franklin Circle adult self-directed learning group.
You'll help others get off to a better start in their business or political career, and you'll take advantage of the most powerful principle of adult learning: Adults learn best by being teachers.
Help others, advance your own learning, and have fun doing it as a volunteer or as a paid staff member.
For more information, contact John Wren at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.
Then consider leading a Franklin Circle adult self-directed learning group.
You'll help others get off to a better start in their business or political career, and you'll take advantage of the most powerful principle of adult learning: Adults learn best by being teachers.
Help others, advance your own learning, and have fun doing it as a volunteer or as a paid staff member.
For more information, contact John Wren at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A 4-week online seminar Action Class in Practical Politics will start February 15. Each Monday morning an opening "lecture" will be posted, then online discussion will continue through out the week. The class is free, a certificate of completion will be available for those who actively participate each week. For more information and to RSVP see Action Class in Practical Politics Session #1 on Facebook.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Are you interested in getting elected to public office or helping other good people get elected?
A group is now forming of people just like you, newcomers to Colorado or Colorado politics who want to help each other learn through mutual exploration using the powerful format for an adult learning group invented by Ben Franklin. Join us if you can this Friday, January 29th (see link to the right) or email me at John@JohnWren.com for more information.
A group is now forming of people just like you, newcomers to Colorado or Colorado politics who want to help each other learn through mutual exploration using the powerful format for an adult learning group invented by Ben Franklin. Join us if you can this Friday, January 29th (see link to the right) or email me at John@JohnWren.com for more information.
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Denver Open Franklin Circle meets this afternoon, hope you can join us. (For more information click on the Community Room College link to the right.)
We are trying to form a drop-in group with enough members who attend regularly for new people to take a "test-drive". No preparation is required, and it's ok to attend without without an RSVP.
If the Denver Open Meeting this afternoon is at a bad time or place for you, think about starting one near where you live or work at a time that works for you. Help is available online for starting a new Franklin Circle, see the Wiki: Start a Franklin Circle link under Topics to the right, or contact John Wren at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.
We are trying to form a drop-in group with enough members who attend regularly for new people to take a "test-drive". No preparation is required, and it's ok to attend without without an RSVP.
If the Denver Open Meeting this afternoon is at a bad time or place for you, think about starting one near where you live or work at a time that works for you. Help is available online for starting a new Franklin Circle, see the Wiki: Start a Franklin Circle link under Topics to the right, or contact John Wren at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Happy birthday Ben Franklin! (January 17, 1706--April 17, 1790)
Franklin invented many, many useful things, from fire insurance to swim fins. His best invention, in my opinion, was the powerful format for for adult self-directed learning groups we now call Franklin Circles.
To celebrate, Denver Speakers Corner is having a special meeting today and inviting those attending to take a turn on the soapbox to speculate whether Ben Franklin (and/or Martin Luther King who was born January 15 and has a national holiday in his honor tomorrow) would affiliate with a political party today, and if so which party. Should be fun. For more information and optional RSVP see http://meetup.com/Denver-Speakers-Corner
Franklin invented many, many useful things, from fire insurance to swim fins. His best invention, in my opinion, was the powerful format for for adult self-directed learning groups we now call Franklin Circles.
To celebrate, Denver Speakers Corner is having a special meeting today and inviting those attending to take a turn on the soapbox to speculate whether Ben Franklin (and/or Martin Luther King who was born January 15 and has a national holiday in his honor tomorrow) would affiliate with a political party today, and if so which party. Should be fun. For more information and optional RSVP see http://meetup.com/Denver-Speakers-Corner
Interesting article in today's Denver Post about proprietary schools (click here to read it.)
Years ago, I called the head of the Colorado Department of Education to complain about the Barnes Business School (now defunct) slogan "A better education, cheaper" or words to that effect.
He defended the school.
I had the great privilege of attending Cornell College for 2 years and then finishing a BA at the University of Denver. The schools taught me how to learn on my own.
It is hard to continue learning in isolation. If you get together regularly with friends to share what you are learning, great. If not, consider forming a group or joining one focused on a topic that is of interest to you.
If you'd like help, attend the free, open meeting we hold each Friday. You'll get enough information to start a group of your own if you want, and help connecting with a group that's forming if that's what you prefer.
Years ago, I called the head of the Colorado Department of Education to complain about the Barnes Business School (now defunct) slogan "A better education, cheaper" or words to that effect.
He defended the school.
I had the great privilege of attending Cornell College for 2 years and then finishing a BA at the University of Denver. The schools taught me how to learn on my own.
It is hard to continue learning in isolation. If you get together regularly with friends to share what you are learning, great. If not, consider forming a group or joining one focused on a topic that is of interest to you.
If you'd like help, attend the free, open meeting we hold each Friday. You'll get enough information to start a group of your own if you want, and help connecting with a group that's forming if that's what you prefer.
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