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

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> 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?

Our definition of consent/consensus is “no objections”. Some decisions can be 
posted for objections on email. If there are none or they can be resolved, then 
the question is decided and recorded in the minutes of the team’s next meeting. 
(Our email list is also archived so a decision is always recorded there.)

Decisions that are similar to previous decisions, expenditure of already 
budgeted funds, a modification of a previously made decision, etc, can easily 
be made by email. 

If the decision involves values issues that have not been discussed to 
resolution, complex implementation decisions, is a totally new area of 
consideration (changing to professional common house cleaning, for example) 
could not be made by email. 

Anyone can object to a proposal to make a decision via email or by a team 
without full member discussion. Then it would go to a membership meeting unless 
it was an emergency decision involving “danger to life or property”. Then it 
could go to a special meeting or a special meeting of the Board.

I value discussion when it is even potentially informative and transformative, 
but the practice of only making decisions in meetings I find is often just 
kicking the can down the road. Avoidance rather than action.

We have also made decisions in meetings that needed a bit more research to 
confirm details. The decision is made subject to ______ . The secretary then 
posts the findings and the final form of the decision on email and if there are 
no objections or the objections can be resolved, the decision is made.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org