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:
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.
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
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?)
Consent to the agenda
ca. 1 min
- Understand the agenda proposal
- (Asking for reactions/additions if desired)
- Consent/integrate objections to the agenda proposal
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
Update backlog
ca. 2 min
What needs to be added to the backlog for future meetings?
Check-out
ca. 5 min
Meeting evaluation, e.g. with regard to
- content of the meeting
- interpersonal dynamics
- process
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!
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:
- modify the proposal
- shorten the term
- measure the concern (more info)
Synthesize amendments into the proposal and go back to consent round
Fictional examples (full process)
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,
Meeting posters
Posters are useful for meeting rooms to remember the basic patterns of Sociocratic meetings.
