Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Bylaws, the law, and Sociocracy

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Mar 10, 2014, at 3:48 PM, R Philip Dowds <rpdowds [at] comcast.net> wrote:

> The big difference, I think, is that in regular folks' condos, the 
> association rarely meets, while in our coho and others, the association meets 
> in a monthly plenary.  Some Sociocrats think this is a waste of valuable 
> member time.

Pioneer Valley has been using sociocracy for a year. They have circles and a 
traditional sociocratic structure but they also have a "full circle" meeting 
once a month for discussion of issues. It isn't a decision-making body. Circles 
can get feedback and ideas. Members can express the needs and concerns in an 
atmosphere that is non-political.

They also have a place where circles post drafts of policies they are 
considering and people can comment. One community has used this for years -- 
they have clipboards hung on a wall. Those who are interested in the policy can 
read the current draft, read comments, and make their own.

A Wordpress website would be perfect for this. A draft is posted and the 
community alerted. People put comments on the post, just like making comments 
on other websites. Everyone can read them and post their own.

When a new draft is posted, comments on the old one are closed. New comments 
are invited.

Using dynamic governance the circle makes the decision but has full input and 
members don't feel ignored or that secretive deliberations are going on.

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines
Elegance in Organization
http://www.sociocracy.info