FCP Study Groups

FreeCapitalist Study Groups™
FreeCapitalist Study Groups form the foundation of the Project’s organization structure, sharing the key responsibility of: recruiting, organizing and enriching the experience of FreeCapitalist Project members by providing structured opportunity to study together, learn together, and assist one another in their own personal quest to become better citizens.

–>> See “Why Attend FreeCapitalist Study Groups”

Members of the Project who are actively enrolled and participating in the Prosperity Quest^TM program, who have obtained at least their 1st degree, are free to organize local Study Groups.  Study Groups are organized under the direction of the Project’s leadership councils.  Provisional Study Groups are organized when a member (who has obtained at least the 1st degree in the Prosperity Quest^TM program) accepts the “Study Group Organizer” quest.  Provisional Study Groups consist of at least two 1st degree (or higher) members of the Project.  Officially recognized Study Groups consist of at least ten 1st degree (or higher) members of the Project representing ten separate households.

Study Groups meet weekly, in Member’s homes, under the direction of a Study Group Leader.  The Study Group Leader also ensures that thorough notes are taken for each meeting (usually assigning an official note taker is appropriate).

Each Study Group holds its weekly, two-hour meeting on the same day, at the same time, each week.  The specific day and time are determined by each individual Study Group.  Each week, the following week’s Discussion Moderator is elected by the majority vote of Study Group members in attendance.
Benefits of Study Group attendance include:

• Providing members the opportunity to study and discuss a fundamental curriculum of 31 great books from authors such as John Locke, Ayn Rand, Norman Vincent Peale, Robert T. Kiyosaki, Ludwig Von Mises, Ezra Taft Bensen, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, Michael Gerber, W. Cleon Skousen and more;

• Providing members the opportunity to build relationships and enjoy fellowship with other FreeCapitalists;

• Helping members improve their personal financial stewardships;

• Enriching member’s knowledge of and ability to identify, discuss, think about and apply the Prosperity Prime^TM model;

• Organizing members into small communities of friends and associates to effectively participate in the larger FreeCapitalist Community structures of Round Tables, Community Forums, and FreeCapitalist County, State and National Councils.

• Preparing members to work in concert with other like-minded individuals through FreeCapitalist Community Forums to improve their local communities, check and reform local and state governments, and participate in coordinated efforts to advance the revolution consistent with the mission of the Project and the cause of all FreeCapitalists.

Members of the Project are expected to regularly attend weekly Study Group meetings and if members miss or are otherwise unable to attend their own Study Group’s weekly meeting, they’re encouraged to expand their horizons by attending a local Study Group in various communities across the globe - a practice that guarantees FreeCapitalists a warm welcome in communities around the United States and beyond.
On all but the last weekly meeting of the month, Study Group meetings typically follow a standard two-hour schedule, which includes:

1. A 45-minute introduction where all members of the Project and invited guests are welcome.
2. A one-hour discussion centered upon each month’s book, as determined by the FCP Study Group Curriculum.  The discussion is lead by a Discussion Moderator*, elected from the previous week, with comments and interaction from all participants*.  The purpose of the discussion is to share insights, ask questions, seek feedback, and together develop a deeper interest in and mastery of the basic principles at the heart of the revolution.

* Indicates the requirement that all participants be 1st degree or higher members of the Study Group.  Those attending who are not active, dues paying members of the Project (this includes pledges who have not completed their New Member Quest) are allowed to observe only.

Once a month, on the first weekly meeting of the month, Study Groups are encouraged to have a social event, which can involve a guest speaker, entertainment, or the playing of a principle-based game.  At such meetings the first thirty minutes of the standard two-hour schedule should be followed with the remaining hour and a half to be dedicated to the social event.

Study Group Guidelines
Dress Code.  All FCP leaders, including Study Group Leaders and weekly Discussion Moderators dress in Business Attire (Men: Suits and ties. Women: Dresses or Business Suits) wearing their FreeCapitalist Member Pin.  All attendees are encouraged to observe these dress standards as well.

The First Hour. The first hour meeting focuses primarily on emphasizing the FreeCapitalist Project, the Project’s Mission, the core ideas of the Prosperity Prime^TM model, and recognizing the achievements and accomplishments of individual members in the Prosperity Quest program. The first hour is a presentation of information, not a discussion.  The Study Group leader ensures that each meeting begins promptly at the top of the hour and concludes no later than :50 after the hour.  All members of the Project, as well as invited guests and visitors are welcome at this meeting.

The Second Hour.  The second hour meeting focuses primarily on discussion, lead by thoughtful questions, related to the assigned reading.  The Project has published a three-year, monthly curriculum, outlining the assigned reading for each week.  Discussion Moderators prepare to begin the discussion and help it along when necessary.  No lessons are taught and no prepared materials or presentations are appropriate.  Guests and project members are welcome to attend and observe the second hour meeting but only 1st degree or higher Members of the Project are allowed to participate in the discussion.

Standard Schedule for Study Group Meetings.  The following outline is the Standard Schedule that should be followed by each Study Group leader.  Occasional exceptions can be tolerated, however the general elements listed below, and the time allocated to each element should be followed with deliberateness.

:30    Meeting Preparation.
Thirty minutes prior to the Study Group start time the home should be prepared for the meeting.  Leaders should ensure that all necessary arrangements have been made and implement contingency plans where necessary.

• • Flags should be appropriately placed (including USA, State, FCP).
  • Chairs/Seating should be arranged for the first hour to accommodate the “presentation” style of the meeting. A podium or speaking stand of some sort is appropriate.
  • A sign in sheet should be prepared and easily available in a prominent place where all who enter for the meeting should sign in.
  • Name tags are appropriate, especially when guests are in attendance.

:40 Arrivals.
Twenty minutes prior to the Study Group meeting Members and guests should begin arriving.  It is recommended that Members not arrive earlier since meetings are held in homes.

:55    Announcement.
The Study Group Leader announces that the meeting is about to begin and everyone is invited to take their seats.

:00    Formal Welcome, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation
It is appropriate for the Study Group leader to recognizes VIPs or prominent guests.

:10    FreeCapitalist Introduction Video

:25    Announcements, acknowledgements, and other business
Individuals who have earned Prosperity Quest points, or made other significant accomplishments should be announced.  Occasional remarks, testimonials of the Project and its mission related to individual experience are appropriate where time permits and where the person requested to speak has been asked in advance.

:30    Lesson / Message from a Project Member* (Topic Decided by Study Group Leader)
This presentation should be well prepared, in advance.  The topic should be assigned and speaker decided no sooner than one week previous.  Any Member of the Project is qualified to accept an invitation to speak on a topic selected by the Study Group Leader.  The presentation should not generally be an impromptu presentation or a loose conversation or presentation based only upon a few notes.  Instead the 10-minute message should be considered a formal speech or oratory.

:40     Explanation of Formal Membership & Invitation to Pledge
The Study Group Leader, or someone he has assigned in advance, gives appropriate remarks about the meeting so far and then explains in a structured manner, the reason and purpose of the FreeCapitalist Pledge.  All individuals present are told that they will be invited to stand and pledge (copies of the pledge should be distributed when appropriate).  No visitors or guests should feel pressured into standing and pledging, only those who are desirous to join the Project.  Those who stand and pledge for the first time should be appropriately acknowledge afterwards, and care should be given by the leadership to ensure that the new pledge member is sufficiently instructed to successfully submit his information to the Project online in order to ensure his Membership record is created and that he is formally invited to complete the 10 steps of his/her Pledge Quest.

:45    FreeCapitalist Pledge (new and existing members)
Everyone stands who accept, or have accepted the Pledge.  The Study Group Leader or the person he/she has previously designated leads the pledge by saying, “Ready.  Begin.”

:50    Conclusion
The Study Group Leader invites everyone to acknowledge new pledges by explaining the acknowledgment ritual.  The new Pledge, having been invited to come to the front of the room faces the group and states, “I who am not about to die, salute you.”  The group responds in unison, “We who are not about to die, also salute you.”  The group then gives a round of applause. (In situations where there are more than one new pledge being acknowledged, the “one clap” method is used, after the final pledge is acknowledged a full round of applause is given.)   Everyone is dismissed until the beginning of the hour two meeting.

During the 10-minute intermission the room should be re-arranged so that appropriate seating is arranged, in a circle.  Those who are visiting, but not participating should not be seated in the circle but should have seating arranged outside the circle.

:57    Announcement
The Discussion Moderator makes an announcement that the meeting will begin and everyone is invited to take their seats.

:00    Study Session / Discussion Begins
The Discussion Moderator begins the discussion with a well-thought out, prepared question from the assigned reading.  No lesson or similar presentation of any kind is appropriate, instead the purpose of the initial question is to trigger or start a group discussion.  The Discussion Moderator should have also come prepared with additional thought provoking questions to use if the conversation/discussion stalls.  All participants should remain seated while speaking.  Turn taking should be civil.  If multiple comments are being made without order then the Discussion Moderator appropriately moderates the order of participation, recognizing all those wishing to speak on a topic or question.  Contention (excessively emotional negativity) should be diligently avoided as well as any sort of ad hominem attacks (attacks or critical comments made against individuals rather than ideas or statements).  The Discussion Moderator should point out any inappropriate comments without toleration and at the request of any member an abusive participant should be asked to leave the group for the meeting.  It is the responsibility of the Study Group Leader to address any persistent problems with unruly participants.

:50    Conclusion
The Discussion Moderator concludes the discussion and asks for nominations for next weeks (or as far in advance as the Study Group desires) Discussion Moderator.  Individuals may nominate themselves for consideration.  A majority vote selects the next Study Group Discussion Moderator.  Any announcements related to next week’s discussion are given and the group is dismissed.  Refreshments are appropriate but not required.