Sociocracy 3.0 as a governance model?
Maybe we can use (elements of) Sociocracy 3.0 as a model for governance of the civicrm ecosystem.
Sociocracy 3.0 is an open source and flexible set of guidelines/best practices to enable practical collaboration.
Here are just a few concepts, check the links at the end of this issue for more information.
All patterns are based on 7 principles:
- Effectiveness: Devote time only to what brings you closer towards achieving your objectives.
- Consent: Do things in the absence of reasons not to.
- Empiricism: Test all assumptions through experiments, continuous revision and falsification.
- Continuous Improvement: Change incrementally to accommodate steady empirical learning.
- Equivalence: Involve people in making and evolving decisions that affect them.
- Transparency: Make all information accessible to everyone in an organization, unless there is a reason for confidentiality.
- Accountability: Respond when something is needed, do what you agreed to and take ownership for the course of the organization
Teams are called circles, and within a circle you can have a role. Each circle selects one or more members as representative(s) to a delegate circle (i.e. a steering committee). People can wear many hats.
A driver is what motivates a circle to do or change something.
Within a circle, decisions are made based on the principle of consent: every member of the circle is asked if he has an objection against a proposed idea. If there are no objections, and the idea is "good enough for now, safe enough to try", a team is formed, evaluation criteria are set, a review date is fixed, and the plan is executed.
A domain is a distinct area of influence, activity and decision making within an organization. Domains are delegated to people, who take accountability for the domain, within its defined constraints on influence and autonomy.
All individuals and groups are accountable for their work, ongoing learning and development, with the organization providing necessary support.
To facilitate flow of information and influence between groups, there is a Double Linking pattern: two interdependent groups each select one of their members to represent their interests in the governance decisions of the other group.
etc.
Here's the full guide: https://sociocracy30.org/_res/practical-guide/S3-practical-guide-ebook.pdf But maybe it's easier to start with a few videos:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML1pr_woF2s
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvFZL2tGLiM (the more interesting part starts at 28:14)
Do you think Sociocracy 3.0 is good enough for now, safe enough to try within our CiviCRM community?