Explore sociocracy in intentional communities
Support Sociocracy in your community
Ecovillages, cohousing, communes, cooperative housing and other intentional communities are now widely using sociocracy as their governance system. An intentional community is a group of people who decide to live together, whether on the same land or in the same building, to carry forward a mission common to all the residents. The mission can either be environmental, social, spiritual, or all of those. They often strive for sharing the power, and often struggle with the challenges of such a culture shift. Sociocracy answers many questions, like “how can we get things done more effectively”, “how can we distribute power and make sure every voice is heard”, “how do we share responsibilities” and “what is the best format for a meeting”. This page is dedicated to support you in your sociocratic community journey, from discovering sociocracy, to implementing it in your community.
Are you already a sociocratic community?
We have resources for you!
Sociocracy in Communities Conferences
Past conferences
Get access to the recordings of our past conferences for intentional communities.
Where is sociocracy used?
Represents Ecovillage and Co-housing Organizations using Sociocracy
Member Communities
- Green Grove Cohousing
- Kawartha Commons
- Rachel Carson Ecovillage
- Cohousing Hamilton
- Adams Creek Cohousing
- Treehouse Village Ecohousing
- Prairie Hill Cohousing
- The Coastal Village
- Lookout Arts Quarry
- Altair Ecovillage
- Bridport Cohousing
- Westwood Cohousing
- Blueberry Commons Farm Cooperative
- Common Ground Ecovillage
- Atlan Center
- Urban Coup
- Port Townsend Ecovillage
- Tiny House Community Bristol
- Jesus People
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to use sociocracy in intentional communities?
Sociocracy (also referred to as Dynamic Governance) is used in dozens of communities and ecovillages worldwide. Depending on how your culture is set now, there is definitely a learning curve. However, that learning is often experienced as liberating and clarifying.
We have noticed that sociocracy is easiest to implement in a forming group. Yet, even communities that have used consensus for decades have been able to switch and enjoy smooth, action-oriented and connecting governance.
How do I start using sociocracy for my intentional community?
Read and watch the information on this site. If you are interested in suggesting sociocracy to your community, make sure to read The Sociocracy Starter Kit first. You will notice that it suggests to involve other people in your exploration as early as possible.
Case studies about sociocratic intentional communities
Bridport Cohousing and Sociocracy
“What is in store for Bridport Cohousing and Sociocracy? ‘We’ll just get better at it!’ laughs Judith. ’Nobody has suggested dropping it. The opposite in fact – using Sociocracy has helped us attract new members.’”
Case study of Treehouse Ecohousing
Treehouse Village Ecohousing is a project to build a cohousing community, the first in Atlantic Canada. It officially launched on Sept 29, 2018 with a first public meeting.
Sociocratic Cohousing Community: Cohabitat Québec
An urban sociocratic cohousing community in Quebec, Canada, that values non-violent communication.
Featured Articles
Meeting Posters for Sociocracy
Better meetings start with a clear process. These free downloadable meeting posters can help keep your group on track.
Sociocracy and Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
Sociocracy and Nonviolent Communication (NVC) are often used together. For a good reason! The essence of Nonviolent Communication is “Everyone’s needs matter”. The essence of sociocracy is “Every voice matters” […]
The Difference Between Whole-Group Consensus and Dynamic Governance/Sociocracy
A recurring question in our teaching is to describe the difference between consensus and consent, and between whole-group consensus and Dynamic Governance (sociocracy) used in a community or a cooperative. […]
Training for intentional communities
Online courses
Our most popular training with intentional communities are the two following ones. Our sociocracy courses are online, self-paced, and they could be taken individually or as a group. Take the quiz if you would like to discover other types of training that fit the exact level of your community.
Sociocracy basics video led course
2-4 hour sessions to learn by practicingwith your own group, at your pace.
Interactive introduction to sociocracy
25 minute video free!
Test your level
Would you like to discover other types of training that fit the exact level of your community?
Would you like to have customized training for your community, online or in person?
From your very first discovery to continuing education, our trainers specialized in Intentional Communities can design a personalized program for you.
Book a free 30-min session to discuss your needs.
Audrée Morin, certified trainer
Location: Canada, Languages: French and English
Jerry Koch-Gonzalez, certified sociocracy consultant
Location: USA, Language: English
We exist to support you with your sociocracy implementation!
How is governance going in your community?
Are you curious how well your community is doing with sociocracy? Here is a questionnaire that you can use as a regular evaluation tool for continuous improvement.
How often do you do rounds? Are all your circles double linked to the general circle?
How often do you use the consent decision-making process?
Fill out the community sociocracy assessment and get your decisions, structure, feedback, communication, skill building and overall “sociocraticness” scores.
Access the wisdom of collective intelligence
We gather monthly to support each other in using Sociocracy in our cohousing, ecovillages or other intentional communities. We discuss diverse themes like how to implement Sociocracy, conflict resolution, how to deal with push back, managing objections, and much more.
This community of practice is composed of sociocracy burning souls from sociocratic communities and of professional sociocracy facilitators, trainers and consultants, so you get both hands on experience stories and professional advice!
Join Advocates for Sociocracy in Community!
It’s a drop-in group; we’d be delighted to meet you and learn about your community.
Attend a first session to try it out!
It doesn’t have to be just once a month!
To ask your burning question, or to access wisdom and resources from previous sessions, access our special corner on SoFA’s online forum.
Organizational Learners
Organizational Learner communities receive many benefits as an organization and as individuals!
- discounts on trainings, books, and coaching,
- access to our communities of practice meetings, and
- being connected with sociocratic communities all over the world!
Is your community interested in joining Organizational Learners?
Your first step is to talk with Audrée, the Intentional Communities Organizational Learners Administrator. She will orient you to the benefits, payments and subscription process of the program.
Facilitation services for intentional communities
- Are you just starting with sociocracy and would like a professional to facilitate your first meetings?
- Or do you have a complex issue for which you could use a guest facilitator?
That’s what our “Find a Facilitator” service is for! Fill in the form, and a facilitator will be assigned to you. You can make a special request for one of our certified facilitators specialized in Intentional Communities.
Consulting
Consulting is a personalized process with one of our consultants where you can ask questions about the specific sociocracy implementation in your community, and get thorough answers and clear guidance. We have extensive experience with sociocracy in intentional communities and will be able to help you avoid costly mistakes. We can help you invite your community to adopt sociocracy, lead or accompany your community in the process of implementation, or troubleshoot challenges in an existing implementation. To know more about SoFA sociocracy consulting, click here.
To start a consulting process, first book a free call with Jerry to explore your needs and make a consulting agreement. Prices vary according to your organization’s means and will be part of this agreement. To give you an idea, you can look at this page.
Contact the Intentional Community Circle members
Audrée Morin
Administrator and secretary
Certified facilitator and trainer
Contact her for guidance about SoFA offerings and services for your sociocracy learning and implementation
Jerry Koch-Gonzalez
Leader
Certified facilitator, trainer and consultant
Contact him if you need an experienced sociocracy consultant for your sociocracy implementation
Neil Planchon
Facilitator, California Ambassador and Web Content Publisher
Contact him if you’re part of an intentional community in California, and you want guidance about SoFA resources for your sociocracy learning and implementation
Teel Short
Forming communities ambassador
Contact him if you’re a new community and want to hear about the benefits of sociocracy
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