Cohousing-L Mailing List: Sociocracy Q and As: How can we make decisions between meetings?

[Dem Steve (dem.steve]

Each month, Sociocracyforall.org hosts an intentional communities
“Advocates” gathering where members from dozens of sociocratically run
communities can share their questions and solutions with each other, about
building, running and supporting intentional communities. Here is a recent
question and some of the responses offered at the Advocates gathering.
Interested to hear your thoughts and ideas. Click here to read the
Advocates forum
<https://forums.sociocracyforall.org/c/communities-of-practice/intentional-community/14>
.

How can we make decisions between meetings?

Q.  Recently, something important came up right after a meeting ended. What
are your ideas for making decisions sociocratically, between meetings?

A.

*In our community*, we attempted decisions via an email thread and found it
polarizing and problematic! Now, we don’t make decisions between meetings
but we do plenty of  preparations, like sending out  proposals for people
to review beforehand.

*A clear and simple proposal* could be consented to on Google docs, with
questions and comments made there. Be sure to set a specific time frame for
people’s responses.

*Apps like Loomio* provide platforms for clarifying questions, reactions
and consent.

*We don’t make decisions* outside meetings or through apps. In our
community we’ll call a special meeting so we can decide together. In my
experience, there is no substitute for live dialogue

*The size and complexity of the decision* matters, and who is making the
decision matters. Is it the whole group or a certain circle? Complex and
important decisions should happen in meetings. If the decision is in the
domain of a role holder then they have authority to take action without the
consent of the group.

*We decide simple things* outside meeting time - like deleting redundant
documents. When there is a decision that will likely inspire a lot of
thought we have feedback/information sessions before our meeting so people
can hear the proposal. This helps us shape and refine the proposal for the
meeting and our process tends to go more smoothly because of it.