Sociocracy

Cohousing Topics

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When can I Object?

Submitted by Sharon Villines on Sun, 01/01/2012 - 15:25

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By Sharon Villines

When can I object? Should I ever object if I want to support my community?

The whole process of reaching consensus is one of resolving objections. Initially, what would be called objections later in the process are called problems or needs or desires. That's why decisions arise — someone objects to the status quo. I object to extension cords being left on the counter in the dining room so I propose they be kept in the drawer underneath.

Objections are not vetoes. There is no big inky brush that you use to make your big sloppy X on the face of a proposal thus relegating it to the ash pile. Objections are good because in resolving them the proposed action is improved to address the needs of all members. This builds a stronger community.

From Whole Group to Circle Decisions

Submitted by Sharon Villines on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 15:03

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Sharon Villines

Q In an organization that previously worked by consensus of the whole, the shift to consent within circles seems like a loss of power and "equal say" for me as a member of my community. If I am in the Buildings & Grounds Circle and have an objection to a proposal being decided in the Membership Circle's domain, I feel powerless. I would have to persuade my circle to take my concern to the General Circle and direct it down again to the Membership Circle. How can I explain sociocratic equivalence and "everyone has equal say" when I don't?

The standard is that everyone has the right to consent or object within their domain. But this standard is designed for workplaces, not living places. In a workplace everyone's concerns are focused fairly narrowly on the requirements of their job, and in order to run an efficient production line, the domains are clearly defined.

Deep Process: Sociocracy: Dynamic Self-Governance

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Jerry Koch-Gonzalez

Sociocracy is defined as governance by the “socios”—those who work together. Sociocracy is an effective system of decision-making and governance that values equality of power and is proven to work in businesses, nonprofits, and political organizations. Sociocracy has its roots in nonviolence and Quaker practice and has been shaped by cybernetics and systems theory. More cohousing communities are adopting sociocracy as they seek that balance between equivalence of voice and efficiency that is absent in board-led communities and often elusive in consensus-based communities. This session will cover both theory and practice.

Jerry Koch-Gonzalez has lived in the Pioneer Valley (MA) Cohousing Community since move in day in 1994 and is a consultant and trainer in communication skills and organizational decision making and development.

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Sociocracy and Consent

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by Donna Freiermuth

One of the toughest challenges communities face is how they reach decisions. Although consensus is the ideal for many cohousing projects, let’s flirt with the idea that there is an alternative decision-making process. “I was ready to listen,” says Sharon Villines of Takoma Village Cohousing (Washington, DC) when she was told “sociocracy is a way to govern ourselves that respects the equal value of all persons as individuals and that produces more effective, responsive, transparent and productive organizations.”