What is a FreeCapitalist Study Group?

What are FreeCapitalist Study Groups™
FreeCapitalist Study Groups are small groups of like minded individuals (as few as two and as many as several dozen) meeting in homes, and organized in communities throughout the United States and beyond.  Study Groups are committed to supporting the mission of the Project, to learning and implementing its principles (as described in the Prosperity Prime™ model), and to reading and discussing several of the greatest books ever published related to the cause of liberty and individual prosperity.  Study Groups form the foundation of the Project’s Community Building Initiative (which includes Study Groups, Round Tables, Forums, and FreeCapitalist Councils) and share, with the Project’s members, the key responsibilities 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”

Who May Attend FreeCapitalist Study Groups?
Anyone is welcome to attend a FreeCapitalist Study Group, all Members of the Project are free to participate fully in local Study Groups (including Pledges) and all members of the Project are free and encouraged to organize new local Study Groups.

How Are Study Groups Organized?
Study Groups are simple to organize, and can be started in a matter of just a few days if there exists two or more highly motivated, FreeCapitalist minded individuals in any community across the globe.  Study Groups are organized when individual members accept the “Charter a Study Group” Achievement Quest, which is first offered as part of each new member’s Pledge Quest.

When Do Study Groups Meet?
Study Groups meet weekly for two hours, 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 by making an official note taker assignment).

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 the Study Group.  Each week, the following week’s Discussion Moderator is elected by the majority vote of Study Group members in attendance.

What are the Benefits of Study Group attendance?

• Participants have 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;

• Participants have the opportunity to build relationships and enjoy fellowship with other FreeCapitalists;

• Participants are strengthened in their personal quests related to becoming better citizens;

• Participants have an accelerated knowledge of and ability to identify, discuss, think about and apply the Prosperity Prime^TM model;

• Participants are effectively organized into small communities of friends and associates spread across the globe, laying the foundation for the Projects Community Building initiative and having the opportunity  to effectively participate in the larger FreeCapitalist structures of Round Tables, Forums, and County, State and National Councils.

• Participants are prepared through their diligent efforts in local Study Groups, 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.

Is there an Established Format for Study Group Meetings?
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 the basic mission of the Project, the Cause of all FreeCapitalits and the Premise of the Project are discussed in a formal style, which is followed by a short break and then—
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 Discussion Moderators must be I° members or higher.

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.

What are the Basic 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 formal 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, observe and participate.

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 experience points, or made other significant accomplishments should be announced and/or acknowledged.  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).  Each Study Group Leader is responsible for ensuring that no visitors or guests feel pressured into standing and pledging. The recitation of the pledge is only those who are desirous to join the Project, and for those who are already members (i.e, those who have previously pledged).  Those who stand and pledge for the first time should be appropriately acknowledge afterward, 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 via http://pledge.freecapitalist.com  in order to ensure his membership record is created and that he or she 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(s), 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 last 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 where possible so that appropriate seating is arranged in a 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 or series of questions from the assigned reading.  No lesson or similar presentation of any kind is appropriate, instead the purpose of the initial question or group of questions 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 duration of 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.

NOTE #1:  Study Groups are private associations.  Friendship and civility should previal and a welcome atmosphere should be created where visitors and invited guests feel accepted and comfortable.  On the rare occassion that a visitor or invited guest is not welcome by the Study Group Leader (it is anticipated that this situation will be the extremely rare exceptoin), the Study Group Leader at his sole discretion is well within his right to politiely decline anyone from attending his or her study group.

NOTE #2:  Study Groups are created through an Official Charter.  Each Study Group is required to have the endorsement of at least two I° members as the first two members of its Charter.  Any other members (Pledges, I° Members, or Members of the Producer Revolution) are allowed/invited (at the sole discretion of the Study Group Leader) to formally join a Study Group by signing/endorsing its Charter.  A member may only endorse one charter each calendar year and may not endorse a charter for a study group where he or she is the Study Group Organizer.  A member is expected to attend one Study Group on a weekly basis (usually this is the Study Group which has obtained his/her endorsement) and may regularly or periodically attend more than one Study Group with the approval of the relevant Study Group leaders.