Sociocracy Certification

Welcome to the Sociocracy Certification page, where you can learn about Sociocracy For All’s (SoFA) system for structured, competency-based learning journeys. We want to ensure that every learner not only understands the theory behind sociocracy but also acquires the practical skills necessary to apply sociocracy methods effectively in various settings. Let’s delve into the essence of SoFA’s sociocracy certification system and how it can enhance your sociocratic journey.

A group of learners participating together to a training program that includes sociocracy certification.

A Journey Through Experiential Learning

SoFA is committed to an experiential learning approach, emphasizing the importance of hands-on practice and reflective learning. Our certification system is designed to measure your competency in sociocracy, focusing on the practical application and thoughtful consideration of core sociocracy methods. This approach ensures that learners can effectively integrate sociocracy into their groups and organizations, as well as their offerings as professionals.

Levels of Sociocracy Certification

Our certification system is structured into four ascending levels of proficiency: Practitioner, Facilitator, Trainer, and Consultant. This progression allows learners to develop their skills systematically, from understanding the basics of sociocracy to becoming capable of training others and consulting on sociocratic implementations.

At each level, learners have real-life practice by working on badges, which are micro-credentials symbolizing the learner’s competency in specific sociocracy methods or practices, and provide a tangible measure of their progress and expertise. Learners are then certified after a performance review.

1. SoFA Certified Practitioner

Learning objective: Participating as a member of a sociocratic circle.

Content (badges):

SoFA Certified Practitioner plaque for Sociocracy Certification page
  • Vision, mission, aims
  • Circle structure
  • Leader and delegate
  • Facilitator and secretary
  • Operational roles
  • Consent decision making
  • Connection and listening
  • Interpersonal feedback

2. SoFA Certified Facilitator

Learning objective: Facilitating sociocratic meetings and processes.

Content (badges):

SoFA Certified Facilitator plaque for Sociocracy Certification page
  • Meeting structure
  • Minutes and backlog
  • Proposal co-creation
  • Integrating objections
  • Policy review
  • Selections
  • Performance review
  • Equity and inclusion

3. SoFA Certified Trainer

Learning objective: Running sociocracy training workshops.

Content (badges):

SoFA Certified Trainer plaque for Sociocracy Certification page
  • Flow of information
  • Logbook
  • Workflow
  • Power
  • 1-hour introduction
  • Half-day workshop
  • One-day workshop
  • Two-day workshop

4. ISCB Certified Consultant

Learning objective: Leading or supporting sociocracy implementations in organizations. (Read more below.)

Content (badges):

ISCB Certified Consultant plaque for Sociocracy Certification page
  • Case study
  • Assisting an implementation
  • Implementation process
  • Implementation #1
  • Implementation #2
  • Legal considerations

How to get certified

Currently, SoFA offers advanced training program that offers certification called Academy.

The Sociocracy Academy is an educational program designed for individuals interested in learning about sociocracy and other decentralized governance forms. It offers a structured, two-level curriculum aimed at developing knowledge and skills necessary for practicing and facilitating sociocracy within groups or organizations. Level 1 focuses on fundamental sociocracy tools for practical application and facilitation, while Level 2 targets experienced practitioners and facilitators looking to teach sociocracy or use it in consultancy work. The academy emphasizes real-life practice, offering certifications for those who complete the programs and successfully apply their learning.

Sociocracy Academy icon (Sociocracy Certification)

You can read more about Academy (in English) and Academia (in Spanish) in the respective pages.

SoFA is also working to support certified trainers and consultants to organise new and diverse training programs that include certification. We will soon list all these options in a dedicated page. If you are certified through SoFA and wish to organise a certification-accredited program, write to [email protected].

Process for Consultant Certification

The International Sociocracy Certification Board

SoFA is a founding member of the International Sociocracy Certification Board (ISCB). The ISCB seeks to standardize the meaning of certifications offered by participating agencies. At this point, ISCB is only recognizing the consultant level of certification. Agencies participating in the ISCB are free to determine the labels and qualifications for any other certifications that they offer. Other organizations that are not part of the ISCB may also offer similar or different badges and/or certifications.

Consultants certified by the ISCB will be publicly acknowledged on the ISCB website. In 2019, the ISCB recognized the first three internationally certified consultants who also serve as the ISCB’s founding Board of Directors: Jerry Koch-Gonzalez (co-founder of SoFA), John Buck (founder of Governance Alive LLC and member of SoFA’s Mission Circle) and Barbara Strauch (co-founder of the Soziokratie Zentrum in Austria). The ISCB also recognizes “certifying agencies.” These agencies commit to having a program to prepare individuals for the consultant level of certification according to standards set by the ISCB. Policies of the ISCB regarding how to become a certified consultant and how an agency can become a certifying agency are posted on the ISCB website. In 2020, the ISCB recognized the first three certifying agencies: Sociocracy For All, Governance Alive, and the Soziokratie Zentrum.

Before the Certification Meeting

The candidate will propose a certification review team to the SoFA ISCB certified consultant currently serving on the ISCB Board. If that Board member has no objection, then the candidate will schedule the review.

The review circle will include at least one ISCB certified consultant, their primary mentor or individual who comes closest to that description and at least two others who are familiar with the candidate’s work.

The certification candidate will prepare documentation as set in ISCB policies published in the iscb.earth website and distribute it to members of their certification review circle.

  1. Explain how sociocratic knowledge has been acquired, including training received and given, and any documentation of learning such as Badges and SoFA certifications.
  2. Describe sociocracy implementation work in at least 2 organizations, including any adaptations made in usual sociocracy patterns.
  3. Include evaluations from at least 2 organizations (at least 2 must be the same organizations identified in the previous item).
  4. A summary statement of lessons learned from both successes and failures. 
  5. The candidate’s initial development plan for the next three years.
  6. Describe current and/or past participation in a sociocratic organization (can be SoFA) and intention to continue participating in a sociocratic organization. 
  7. Affirm willingness to serve on the certification review panels of new and recertifying candidates.
  8. A recommendation to certify from a candidate’s home circle in SoFA or other sets of peers in SoFA.

The Certification Meeting

The agenda of the certification review meeting will follow the general style of a performance review, including:

  1. The candidate’s summary of their experience and self-assessment
  2. A question and answer period by which review circle seeks to understand the candidate’s readiness for certification.
  3. The review circle’s rounds of reaction rounds and ultimately consent round to the certification request.
  4. The candidate’s summary of their development plan for the next three years.

After the Certification Meeting

  1. The newly certified consultant will write their revised development plan and have it signed off by the members of their review circle and filed in SoFA’s records.
  2. The newly certified consultant will fill out the ISCB certification recognition form and pay 50 euros or its equivalent to the ISCB, 
  3. The ISCB will issue a dated certificate of expertise as a Sociocratic consultant to the individual and will post the information about the consultant on the ISCB’s website within 30 days of receiving the documentation and payment.

Process for Consultant Recertification

  1. Consultants certified through SoFA are invited to continue their education with SoFA.
  2. Recertification meetings will only be available to SoFA members in good standing.
  3. The process for recertification at consultant level will be similar to the initial certification.
  4. The certification review will focus primarily on the experience of accompanying organizations in sociocratic implementations and on the candidate’s progress on their development plan.
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