GUIDELINES FOR EXPLORING GRAIL MEMBERSHIP
THROUGH INDEPENDENT STUDY

1.   Formerly all women exploring full membership in the Grail entered into a participation process that involved study and reflection in a small group.  These groups met regularly over an extended period leading up to a decision about commitment to the Grail.  This process is still open to aspiring women, but career women and women not living near Grail centers requested a process that did not involve coordinating busy schedules to find meeting times.  Thus we are offering the program in independent study described below.

2.   A tutor will be selected by  the Exploring Membership Team for each woman seeking full membership through independent study instead of participating in a process group.

3.   Materials will be supplied by the Exploring Grail Membership (EGM) Team just as they are for the participation groups mentioned in number 1 above.   These materials, including historical documents and recent Grail communications (such as Gumbo, Networker News, and Crossroads) form the basis for study and reflection.

4.   The tutor and tutee will meet regularly to discuss the Grail materials.  The EGM Team suggests meeting twice a month.  These meetings can be face-to-face or via phone calls or e-mail. 

5.   During the course of the study the tutee will keep a three-ring notebook for materials, note-taking, and journaling.  Journal responses might include questions raised by the materials, responses to questions, thoughts and feelings about the Grail, and whatever else develops during the association between tutor and tutee.  The journal responses will be private, but should form the basis for discussion.  At the end of the course of study, aspiring women will write a short reflection paper on the study and journaling experience.

6.   In addition to meeting together, tutors and tutees are required to attend several Grail gatherings.  These can be business meetings, regional meetings, informal gatherings, or visits to centers. 

7.   The tutor and tutee should plan at least one meeting with the members of the EGM Team.

8.   There is no specified time period for the independent study.  This depends on how often you meet.  More than a year together is encouraged.

9.   A proposed schedule of meetings, including planned attendance at Grail gatherings and meeting(s) with the EGM Team should be submitted to Jean Wilson for the EGM Team early in the process.  A report of actual meetings held should be submitted late in the process, along with the reflection paper mentioned in No. 5 above.

10.  The donation for course materials is $100, which can be spread out in installments.  Checks should be made out to the Grail.

10/29/02, revsed 12/26/02