Working with a sociocracy consultant
We offer just the level of hand-holding you want.
By working with a coach, you can benefit from the experience and feedback of someone who has seen dozens of implementations and governance changes.
We never forget that you’re the expert on your organization and culture, and you remain in the driving seat at all times.
What does a consultant or coach do for you?
The consultants identify the stage of implementation your organization is currently at and assess your organization’s needs. They also assess with you what kind of support might be useful to make your next steps effective and successful
Services that are typically part of an implementation:
- assessing training needs
- forming, coaching, and strategizing with the implementation circle/transformation team
- observing and facilitating meetings
- 1:1. or small-group conversations with stakeholders (the board, leadership, or people with concerns) and open Q&A sessions (e.g. for the whole membership or staff)
- Holding and facilitating “kick-off” events – we help you set up the first circles and the General Circle. This can be, for example, a two-day event with deeper training, formal adoption, and “flipping the switch” into your new governance system.
- Designing your circle structure and key roles, as well as documenting your governance system (see our samples and templates)
- Aligning your documents and bylaws with sociocracy
How to find a consultant that fits your needs
Experience & Sector
Language & Geography
Chemistry & Culture
You need a consultant that has the experience you’re looking for and understands your sector. We are connected to consultants from a wide variety of sectors like business, nonprofits, co-op, intentional community, schools.
If in-person support is crucial for your needs, it’s essential to consider the geographical aspect. Additionally, language plays a significant role, and we are connected with consultants proficient in a wide array of languages to cater to your requirements
The magic ingredient is chemistry! Looking under the hood in an organization and having open conversations about power and performance requires trust. You want to work with someone you like and trust.
Picking a consultant
With SoFA, you have two options:
Work with a SoFA consultants
Find a consultant in the wider network
✔ experienced, certified consultants and trainers
✔ established teams for bigger projects
✔ more choices, languages, places
✔ some consultants in the network might be able to work with lower rates
SoFA’s consultants
Ted Rau
Amherst, MA, USA
[email protected] 
English, German
Ted is an advocate, trainer and consultant for self-governance with sociocracy. After his PhD in linguistics, he encountered peer-oriented governance systems and became curious about ways of organizing grassroots groups effectively yet equitably. He is co-founder and Executive Director (leader of the General Circle) of Sociocracy For All. Ted identifies as a transgender man; he has 5 children between 8 and 18. He is a German citizen and moved to the US in 2010.
Ted is the author of Who Decides Who Decides, and co-author of the sociocracy reference manual Many Voices One Song. Read his articles on the SoFA page and on medium.
His experience is with business, nonprofits, academia, and multi-stakeholder organizations.
Nora Plaza
Chiclana de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain
[email protected]
Spanish, English
Consultant and trainer in Sociocracy. Full-time staff in Sociocracy For All in several of the International Circles and the Operational leader of Sociocracia Práctica.
Consultora y formadora en Sociocracia. Ella trabaja para Sociocracy For All en varios de los Círculos Internacionales. Nora es la Coordinadora de Sociocracia Práctica.
Jerry Koch-Gonzalez
Based in Amherst MA, USA
Languages: English, Spanish
Jerry has been committed to nonviolent social change all his adult life. He started his career with anti-oppression (especially classism), then became a certified trainer of Nonviolent Communication/NVC, facilitation, consensus. In the last 10 years, he has focused on his work in sociocracy. Jerry used to be part of The Sociocracy Consulting Group, and he is co-founder of Sociocracy For All where he now works full time. Jerry was born in Cuba and immigrated to the USA as a child. He has lived in community all of his life, since 1994 in Pioneer Valley Cohousing.
Jerry is the co-author of the sociocracy reference manual Many Voices One Song. See his content on this page.
Working with SoFA’s consultants
Services
Skills
Pricing
Full-service implementation, remote and in person
Training on all levels
Sectors: business, nonprofit workplaces
Languages:
English, Spanish, German
Tier 1: $120/hour
Tier 2: $200/hour
