Facilitation training with sociocracy leads to more effective meetings

Meeting facilitation is a vital skill for collaboration. Can you remember the last time you had a meeting where you left feeling more energized? One part of using sociocracy is evaluating every meeting. People often share that they feel better than when they started! The magic is clear and effective facilitation.

Key components of sociocratic meeting facilitation covered in our training include:

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Clarity

The leader or facilitator prepares the agenda, so everyone knows what to expect.

For each item, it is clear whether it is a Report, Exploration or Decision

Roles are clear. Everyone knows who is facilitating and who is keeping notes.

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Structure

Sociocracy provides a clear and easy-to-follow meeting structure.

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Effective decision-making

Consent decision-making harvests group wisdom in a time-effective way.

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Connection

Check-in and check-out rounds help people share how they are feeling and connect on a deeper level.


Learn more about facilitation in sociocracy through our facilitation training

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consent module free 2 - meeting facilitation,facilitation training,facilitation - Sociocracy For All
meetings module full - meeting facilitation,facilitation training,facilitation - Sociocracy For All
consent module full - meeting facilitation,facilitation training,facilitation - Sociocracy For All

See a real meeting


Opening round

ca. 5 min


ADMIN

ca. 1 min

Check-in round. Everyone shares how they are entering the meeting

(A good chance for people to get to know you better!)

Making sure the circle is ready for the meeting:


  • Attendance (Who is here/absent? Roles filled?)
  • Duration (How long is this meeting?)
  • Minutes (Last meeting’s minutes ok?)
  • Info (any announcements outside of the circle’s domain?)
  • Next meeting (When are we meeting next? Or, who schedules?)
Opening Round
ADMIN

Consent to the agenda

ca. 1 min

  • Understand the agenda proposal
  • (Asking for reactions/additions if desired)
  • Consent/integrate objections to the agenda proposal
Consent to the Agenda

Agenda items


(examples)

All agenda items, falling into one of the below categories  

  • Reports →  e.g. reports from sub-circle or parent circle, reports on metrics
  • Explorations → e.g giving feedback, brainstorming, generating proposals
  • Decisions ↓ e.g. policy decisions, selections processes, possibly significant operational decisions, policy reviews


Accepting a new member (consent)
Consent process with Objection
Circle Report
Exploring ideas
Selection Process

Update backlog

ca. 2 min

What needs to be added to the backlog for future meetings?

Updating the backlog

Check-out

ca. 5 min

Meeting evaluation, e.g. with regard to

  • content of the meeting
  • interpersonal dynamics
  • process
Meeting evaluation

How can I learn more about facilitation?

See our facilitation trainings for groups and individuals

Now you’ve seen an example of a real meeting, but what next? Learning about facilitation is best done through real practice. Our group training is perfect for groups that want to get hands-on experience in their own group. Live classes for individuals will make sure all your facilitation questions are answered!

For groups

The same level but in a video-based, self-paced format for groups. Groups of 4-8 people can practice together with a variety of scenarios and practice tips.


Advanced classes for individuals

For people with experience, or for those who would like to observe sociocracy in practice. Join us to play with facilitation scenarios.

Find an upcoming session!

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Integrating objections


Learn how to integrate objections by reading “Strategies for integrating objections” and then watch the examples below. 


1. Understand


2. Explore


3. Synthesize

Ask the objector to state the objection. Allow for clarifying questions


Reaction round(s):How do you relate to the objection? Do you have ideas for amendments? Possible strategies:

  1. modify the proposal
  2. shorten the term
  3. measure the concern (more info)

Synthesize amendments into the proposal and go back to consent round

Fictional examples (full process)

Integrating Objections: Facebook Forum
Integrating Objections: German Christmas Cookies
Integrating Objections: Space Olympics

Rent a facilitator

Do you need a sociocratic facilitator to facilitate a meeting or series of meetings for your organization?

Sociocracy for All can match you with a knowledgeable, experienced certified facilitator to meet your organization’s needs!

We work with:

  • sociocratic organizations who are new to sociocracy and would benefit from experienced facilitation,
  • sociocratic organizations who are practiced in sociocracy, but could use some help facilitating important or challenging meetings,
  • non-sociocratic organizations looking for support with complex meetings,
  • non-sociocratic organizations who value inclusive and efficient meetings and processes,

Facilitation sheet!


A sheet for facilitators – everything on one page!

Meeting facilitation and decision-making sheet with flowchart

Meeting posters

Posters are useful for meeting rooms to remember the basic patterns of Sociocratic meetings.

Meeting format in sociocracy 1. Check-in "How are you entering this meeting?" "Let's make sure everything is taken care of before we start on our agenda items." A.D.M.I.N. stands for Attendance, duration, minutes, information, next meeting. 2. Agenda "Let me describe the agenda..." "Are there any additions or changes?" "Are there any objections to the agenda? Consent to agenda 3. Topics Decision: "Let's see if we can make a decision on..." Exploration: "We will gather some ideas/input on..." Report: "Let's hear what's happening in..." 4. Update Backlog "What from today's meeting needs to go on the backlog?" (term ends for roles/policy; follow up topics; new items) 5. Evaluation/Closing Round "How are you leaving this meeting?" "How could we improve content, process, interpersonal dynamics?"

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