Decision Making Together - Sociocracy

"Is it good enough for now, is it safe enough to try?"​

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Sociocracy also known as Dynamic Governance is our decision making model.

It is a model of organizational governance that helps us improve the quality of our lives, communities, environment and society.  Everyone has a voice and everyone participates.

Key Concepts

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• Circles: The organization consists of circles of semi-autonomous groups of individuals.  Each circle has its own domain (area of responsibility) and aim (what its striving to achieve) and performs the three functions of leading, doing and measuring/feedback.  A circle makes its own policy decisions and maintains its logs.

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• Consent: The principle of consent governs the decision making process.  This means that policy decisions can only be made if nobody has any paramount objection to it.

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• Objections: An objection is a reason why doing what is proposed stands in the way of the aim of the group (an objection is not about personal preference it's about the aim of the group).  In sociocracy we deliberately seek out objections as they reveal the wisdom that can be used to improve the proposal and agreements.

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• Elections: Persons are elected exclusively by consent, after open discussions and rounds.

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• Rounds: Doing rounds involves moving around the circle, giving each person a chance to speak in order. Rounds are one of the best ways to bring people together, give each person an equal voice and balance the room. Rounding starts with an aim, then each person has the opportunity to speak in a predictable order. Rounds reduce the risk of interruptions as everyone has a turn, it also helps everyone to focus listening.  Each person speaks from their own heart and mind, not in reaction to others or to argue with others.

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• Double Links:  The connection between two circles consists of a double link.  this means that at least two persons from one circle participate in the decision-making in the next higher circle: the circle's leader and one or more elected representatives (delegates).