Sociocracy 
Sociocratic facilitation
This outline
is to give an idea of what facilitating for a meeting using consent decision making
is like.
When I use 'round' or 'go-round', it means that each person speaks in turn. No one answers anyone else. This is key to the process of consent. When I use discuss it means that people answer each other and the facilitator may "stack" people when they raise their hand. During discussions, try to quiet the dominant and bring out the quiet. Gerard says this maintains equivalence which creates chaos which promotes self-organization.
The facilitator must be a time keeper. People appreciate meetings that begin and end on time. This means that the schedule for the agenda has to be realistic. You might need to schedule hang out time before the meeting.
· Be aware that not everyone processes information at the same rate.
· Remember, you can always revisit a decision.
· Once a meeting starts, think about how comfortable the room is and how to start cooling it down before it gets too hot.
Before the meeting
Each person:
should become familiar with the proposals that will be raised
·Look at the minutes for the previous week
The facilitator needs to:
prepare the agenda – this may involve talking to circle members outside of meeting time.
·prepare the space
hang up the meeting, the proposal, and the election formats
get chairs
get things to write with and on
get the notebook and make sure it has paper for minutes and ballots
make sure there's a clock or timer around.
THE FORMAT OF A CIRCLE MEETING
Moment of Silence
Opening round
Each person:
Introduces self if needed
· Mentions a little about how their day has been
· Relates recent experiences concerning the subject area of the meeting
· Brings up any questions and points for the agenda
Administrative matters
make sure there's a notetaker to record each decision
· Approve prior minutes
· Schedule - the next meeting, breaks, when to begin evaluation round
· Approve prior minutes
· Agenda - ask for any additions or changes; Decide on times for items
Agenda Items
Discuss each item
· make a policy decision
· and delegate someone to execute the decision
Evaluation round
This needs to begin before the scheduled ending time of the meeting
Each person evaluates how well the facilitator managed time and how well the meeting used the consent process, and other relevant comments concerning the conduct of the meeting
Moment of Silence
GENERAL PROCESS FOR MAKING DECISIONS BY CONSENT
Present the proposal
Ask one person to present a proposed policy decision
· Others may ask clarifying questions
React to the proposal
React in a go-round
· 30 seconds per person is a good amount of time
· This is not the time to propose amendments
The facilitator may go for a no-objection round
Amend and reformulate the proposal
The proposer amends or reformulates the proposed decision
Formulate objections
Do a round asking for any objections and the associated arguments
· Every objection must be supported by a reason drawn from personal concern or interest.
· Also, the proposal can't be passed if anyone objects.
Use any objections to improve the proposal
Discuss how to improve, eliminate parts of, or include precautions in the proposed decision.
Verify that there are no more objections
Do a final round asking if there are any objections.
As needed, discuss action items flowing from the decision.
The notetaker records the decision and any action items.
The facilitator should attempt a no-objection round whenever possible. If time doesn't permit crafting an acceptable proposal, a new proposal that everyone will consent to must be made. This could be like, "Let's send it back to committee," "I retract the proposal," "Let's research it some more." You will make most of the final proposals.
Election by consent
· Hand out small ballot papers for each voter.
· Review the function/responsibilities that the person to be elected will have and how long the job will be for.
· Write your own name on the ballot and below it write the name of your candidate.
· Collect the ballots.
· Lead a go-round by reading one at a time. Make sure that every participant gives the reasons for their choice.
· Asks if anyone wishes to change their vote, possibly in a round.
· Open discussion, if needed. I made the mistake once of not doing this and we had to do the election all over!
· Try for 'no-objection' in a round. Ask the nominated candidate last. If there is more than one candidate with a lot of votes arbitrarily choose one of them. If someone objects you can always try the other candidate.
Look out for the following possible mistakes:
· Don't ask beforehand who's interested in the job.
· Don't ask who is not interested.
· Don't have discussion during the first round.
· Don't elect anyone for an unlimited time.
Encourage
proposals
feedback on the meeting process
objections backed by arguments drawn from personal concern or interest
questions that probe objections
brainstorming
laughter
Discourage
majority thinking
manipulation or factionalism or ignoring ideas
competitive challenges
striving for agreement
objections not founded in personal experience
arguments for absolutes
Tension can be your friend and so can silence
Ask the circle for help and feedback
Your aim is to produce decisions
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This page
was last updated June 1st, 2002 by webmaster Ted.