Question # 1
What does sociocracy mean?
https://sociocracy30.org/ The
literal meaning of the term sociocracy is rule of companions
. Socio
means
“companion” or “friend”. Cracy
means
“rule” or “power”.
Question # 2
What is a circle?
https://www.sociocracyforall.org/sociocracy/
In sociocracy, a small group is the basis of everything. A small group is called a circle.
https://www.sociocracyforall.org/clarity-and-empowerment-what-is-a-domain/
A circle has an aim and a domain, i.e. a description of what the circle is doing, is responsible for and has full authority over.
A person, who works in a circle, has one or more roles. For example, a facilitator is a role, which focuses on the process during meetings.
https://www.sociocracyforall.org/process-roles/
Question # 3
What does effectiveness mean?
Effectiveness means to devote time only to
what brings
you closer towards achieving your overall objectives. Why is effectiveness important? To make the best use
of
your
limited
time, energy and resources. https://sociocracy30.org/
Question # 4
What does consent mean?
Consent means to raise, seek out and resolve objections to decisions and actions.
Why is consent important?
To
reduce the potential for undesirable consequences and discover worthwhile ways to improve.
https://sociocracy30.org/
While unanimity seeks agreement by all, consent seeks permission to take action where there is no reasoned objection.
http://www.bluescorcher.coop/governance/
An objection is defined as a concern that carrying out a policy might harm the circle’s aim.
https://www.sociocracyforall.org/consent-decision-making/
If a bakery coop decided to buy frozen products to bake and sell, a worker-owner might object because selling ready-made products harms the bakery’s aim
of
“baking
and
selling healthy bread and pastry”. https://www.sociocracyforall.org/consent-decision-making/
Question # 5
What does empiricism mean?
Empiricism means to test all assumptions you rely on through experiments and continuous revision.
Why is empiricism important? To learn fast, make sense of things and navigate complexity as effectively as you can.
https://sociocracy30.org/
Question
6
What does continuous improvement mean?
#
Continuous improvement means to 1. regularly learn about the results of what you are doing, 2. make incremental improvements to what you do and how you do it based on what you learn. Why is continuous improvement important? To adapt to changes when necessary and maintain or improve effectiveness over time. https://sociocracy30.org/
At the Rainbow Community School, anyone can propose an idea and try it out for a couple of weeks. https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2014/what-can-school-teach-us-about-organizational-agility/41261
In sociocracy, feedback
is an integral principle of all organizational activities and roles.
https://medium.com/@Harri_Kaloudis/a-brief-introduction-to-sociocracy-a0770f220937
When people understand that they have a voice, that it has weight, and that they can use their voice anytime, they don’t hesitate to speak up. There is a safe container for that to happen always. The level of participation from residents, staff, families, and the community is really high. https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2014/how-residential-care-home-bumped-employee-engagement-overdrive/42566
Question # 7
What does equivalence mean?
means to involve people in making and developing decisions that affect them
Equivalence
. Why is equivalence important? To increase engagement as well as accountability and make use of the distributed intelligence toward achieving and evolving your objectives. https://sociocracy30.org/
Sociocracy values the rights of people to determine the conditions under which they live and work.
https://www.sociocracy.info/what-is-sociocracy/
Question # 8
What does transparency mean?
Transparency means to record all information that is valuable for the organization and make it accessible to everyone in the organization - unless there is a reason for confidentiality
Why
is transparency important?
To
ensure that everyone has the information they need, so they can understand how to do their work in a way that contributes most effectively to the whole.
https://sociocracy30.org/
Question # 9
What does accountability mean?
Accountability means to 1. respond when something is needed, 2. do what you agreed to do, and 3. accept your share of responsibility Why is accountability important? To ensure that 1. what needs to be done gets done, 2. nothing is overlooked and 3. everyone does what they can to achieve effectiveness. https://sociocracy30.org/