Sociocracy

You are here: / Sociocracy

SOCIOCRACY AT NORTHWOODS

What sociocracy is, why we are pursuing it, and what it might mean for Northwoods’ daily operation and its long-term success.

What is sociocracy?

Sociocracy is a way of governing by consent and sharing leadership.

  • Groups are organized into circles that link between each other when they are related, which improves cross-functional knowledge (less “silos”). 
  • Suggestion is that circles agree on ground rules/covenant of how it will act, circles it often overlaps with, and roles
  • Decisions are made by consent and each member of the group has a right to and is expected to voice any objection, after which the proposal should be improved – this happens in rounds
  • Those sociocracy circles have a defined aim (= a description of what the circle is doing) and full authority in a domain (= what the circle has authority over).
  • Circles will define roles, both to run itself smoothly and to “package” operations into meaningful bits. Any member will fill one or more roles.
  • Linking roles connect circles to other related circles. In double-linking, two people from one circle – the delegate and the leader – are also full members of the parent circle so information can flow between the teams and their decisions align.

Why are we implementing Sociocracy at Northwoods?

The concept came up at a Board of Trustees retreat in 2023 as we were looking at what does and doesn’t work with our governance structure. Some of the concerns with governance were:

  • Decision-making was slow and isolated, with poor sharing of outcomes
  • Foundational Trustee and Shared Ministry Trustee had too many things to track at an operational level, so issues didn’t always get the attention they deserved (no one’s fault)
  • The work needed to “keep things moving” at Northwoods was concentrated among a few people
  • Our bylaws were due for revision

Benefits and Risks of Sociocracy:

  • Benefits:

    • Alignment with UU values, in particular Pluralism and Equity, which speak to the importance of multiple voices being heard and respecting what each person brings to the table.
    • Shared ownership of the church itself and the tactical actions needed to servce our community.
    • Less decision-making pressure to be perfect.
    • More alignment/collaboration between groups.

  • Risks:

    • May feel slower/too democratic/less efficient to some
    • May not initially see enough people stepping up
    • Not the way we’re used to doing things
    • No “the buck stops here” leader

What could this mean for the future of Northwoods?

Read more to understand how Sociocracy could change Northwoods.

What Are the Next Steps?

  • ByLaws Change

    The current organizational structure is defined in the ByLaws, which would need to change.

    Adopting a sociocratic governance structure would impact our Bylaws, because our current bylaws include an organizational structure. 

    The proposed Bylaws change related to sociocracy is to remove the organizational structure entirely and refer to a sociocratic circle-based structure. 

  • Members would need to gather to vote on the proposed ByLaws changes.

    Bylaws require a particular quorum of members to vote and then a majority of that quorum to affirm proposed changes. This fall, Northwoods Leadership would like to hold a special congregational vote to make this change (and a few other minor Bylaws modifications which will be shared as well).

    Congregational Meeting

  • Implement Sociocracy

    Assemble a Coordinating Circle and practice sociocracy.

Frequently Asked Questions Powerpoint Presentation (September 8, 2024) Informational Packet