We're an association of volunteers with no paid staff and no central physical office, and we intend to remain that way. Thus, we don't saddle you with requests for money.

But we do get tired of doing everything by ourselves. And we feel MUCH more motivated to volunteer our time and energy when folks chip in to work with us, even when they take on just a little.

Perhaps being in a discussion circle opened your mind, or even changed your life. If you wish to "pay forward" what you've received from our community -- from our circles, monthly forums, yahoogroups, or related events listed on our announcement -- there are several ways to do that, such as:

• Pass on your used discussion guide to someone who can't afford to buy one;
• Share with others what you've learned: share a testimonial, write an article, share a video you own, participate in our online communities;
• Volunteer! Start a circle, be a circle coordinator, mentor a circle, set up an SMEI table at an event and talk to folks, help us maintain our infrastructure (write, edit, take photos, find resources), join our steering committee, or help propagate circles in many different ways. Several ways you can help
• Become a member of the Northwest Earth Institute, to support the production of new and updated discussion guides. They will use your contribution well.