To organize a discussion group:

• Let us know the topic that most interests you by contacting Debora Hammond (707-664-3179).
  
• Gather six or more people for a one-hour introductory meeting about the course. NCEI provides speakers free-of-charge to come to your workplace, faith community, school, or neighborhood.
  
• Those interested will form a discussion group and receive a course reader. A $20 donation is suggested, which includes $15 for the reader and $5 to support NCEI 's work.
  
• An NCEI volunteer mentor will facilitate the first session. The group will continue to meet for the remaining sessions, with participants sharing responsibility for facilitating the weekly discussions.Each session generally lasts from one to two hours.

In the Workplace:
Groups in the workplace are designed to fit into a lunch hour and generally meet weekly or every other week.Often after a course is completed, the group chooses to do more, so various follow-up activities are offered. For example, employees may choose to set up "green teams" to support responsible practices where they work.

In Faith Communities:
NCEI discussion courses can also be offered in the community where you worship. There is a natural tie between the spiritual teachings of different faiths, the practice of simplicity, and the principles of deep ecology and sustainability. Groups often meet before or after their weekly service.

In One's Neighborhood:
Sometimes an individual already knows a group of friends who are eager to take a NCEI discussion course together. These groups usually meet in the home of one of its members. Upon completing a course, there are many options available to group members.

One follow-up activity is the home "eco-party." NCEI provides a trained volunteer who leads the host and 8-10 participants on a two-hour tour through the home. Together they discuss opportunities to create a more earth-friendly residence by reducing wastes, relying less on dangerous chemicals, and finding ways to save on energy use.