I assume you’ve already seen the impact report, but it was summer in the northern hemisphere so let me make sure. The impact report is a once-a-year opportunity to highlight what has been achieved in the last 12 months. Celebrations!

More good news! As you may have heard, SoFA has an intern this fall. He will work on internal and external communication — helping and learning about it. I hope we can all learn from Julien’s observations — internal communications in a decentralized organization are a thing. (But I don’t have to tell you that, you obviously know since you’re reading the member bulletin!)

Here’s Julien’s self-introduction. It’s been a pleasure working with him so far.

My name is Julien. I’m 23 years old and currently studying at the University of Amsterdam. In the context of my degree in communication science, I’m delighted to be able to undertake an internship with such a wide variety of people on resources, projects, and things that I find important; even more so considering my other options mostly consisted of working in consumer marketing for multinational companies. Having worked with several NGOs before, I well understand the challenge the upkeep of the heavy workload for their proper functioning represents. Some organizations I used to work with or for, even just a few years ago, are now in challenging situations, a reality made even more relevant since the recent pandemic. And so, I am eager to put the skills and research I have gathered in my degree to further strengthen the internal communication of SoFA. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone, and thank you for having me!

PS — If you are in a circle that spends money, please review the dates for budgeting for this quarter.

New SoFA Members

• Riinu Lepa (Estonia) Estonian language authority

Welcome • Tere tulemast

Upcoming member events

• WED September 7 @ 11:00 – 12:30 EDT 
  Community of Practice: Schools and Education
  A community of practice for mutual support for school sociocratic practitioners.

• WED September 7 @ 14:00 – 16:00 GMT
  Co-working: accountability, fun, and getting things done
  Join Sociocracy for All members on Wednesdays to co-work. We create a space that’s accountable and fun so that we can all get our work done!

• MON September 12 @ 13:00 – 14:30 EDT 
  @Work Community of Practice
  A mutual support group for people practicing sociocracy at work. This community of practice is a space for people to share experiences or potential situations […]

• MON September 12 @ 15:15 – 16:45 UTC 
  Community of Practice: Sociocratic Intentional Communities
  Find your people! Advocates for Sociocracy in Community is our community of practice for Intentional Communities. We meet on Zoom monthly to support each other in using sociocracy […]

• WED September 14 @ 14:00 – 16:00 GMT 
  Co-working: accountability, fun, and getting things done
  Join Sociocracy For All members on Wednesdays to co-work. We create a space that’s accountable and fun so that we can all get our work done!

• WED September 21 @ 18:30 – 19:30 UTC 
  Community of Practice for Mixed Sociocracy Topics
  A community of practice for mutual support for people experienced with sociocracy. Meets monthly on different topics.

• THU September 22 @ 11:00 – 12:30 EDT 
  Sociocracy Implementation Peer Support (SIPS) Community of Practice
  A community of practice for mutual support for people implementing sociocracy in their organizations. Meets monthly on the fourth Thursday.

• TUE September 27 @ 11:00 – 12:30 EDT 
  Community of Practice: facilitators of sociocratic circles
  A community of practice for people holding the role of facilitator in their organizations. Meets monthly.

• FRI September 30 @ 11:00 – 12:30 EDT 
  Breaking Cycles Community of Practice
  Breaking Cycles is a community of practice for members of sociocratic organizations that are interested in discussing harm reduction and unlearning & breaking cycles of the dominant oppressive culture within […]

• FRI September 30 @ 11:00 – 12:30 EDT 
  Sept. – Oct. 2022 Writer’s Workshop
  SoFA is offering a Writer’s Workshop! Join a small group of other writers for weekly mutual support in writing articles to be published on the SoFA website.

Membership resources updated

Ready for your feedback. How do they look to you?

We’re also looking for folks to localize these pages into additional languages.

• Membership Agreement
  It’s the same agreement you sign up for when you became a member but just more clear on expectations and benefits.
  Contact: [email protected]

• Member Dashboard
  New look! The dashboard answers member questions and puts tools in easy reach.
  Contact: [email protected]

Circle reports

Mission Circle

• This circle continues to work to resolve the objection around the Language Equity Statement, and they have begun looking at the Conflict Engagement Policy.

notes::mission circle

General Circle

• The members of the General Circle returned with renewed energy to continue looking at the question of how SoFA members engage with time and money, and the conversation generated many ideas (such as supplementing the pay-for-work policy) which will end up in different circles in SoFA for further discussion.

notes::general circle

Content Circle

• Fundraising Circle is now a subcircle of Content Circle, and Fundraising Circle is planning for end-of-the-year fundraising.  Training Circle is exploring a rent-a-facilitator service, and Outreach Circle is working on an exciting new campaign!

notes::content circle

Ecosystem Circle

• This circle is setting up a Community of Practice for the delegates from sector circles to provide them with space to talk with each other. Many exciting things are happening in these sector circles; for example, in Education Circle, Hope Wilder gave four presentations at a conference in England and had a research paper accepted into a peer-reviewed journal!

notes::ecosystem circle

International Circle

• The members of the International Circle approved their budget and started exploring the language equity objectives.

notes::international circle

Breaking Cycles CoP

Enrollment now open

Breaking Cycles is a community of practice for those who wish to explore and discuss sociocracy through an anti-oppression lens. Due to the importance of building trust among defined members of the CoP, enrollment only opens every six months to bring in new members. If you have any questions or want to join the CoP, contact [email protected].

Social Media Circle seeks members!

Could it be you?

Do you enjoy doing creative work? Are you excited to develop and produce content for social media? Are you interested in learning more about Tiktok, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms? Do you have skills in video editing, graphic design, or social media management? We are especially in need of English speakers who would be comfortable reading scripts on camera for Instagram and Tiktok.

You don’t need to be an expert in social media! We offer training to help you get comfortable with the tasks. 

If you are interested, please reach out to [email protected].

SoMBu feedback

[email protected]

Additional notices from role holders or circles are welcome. Submissions are due on the day when General Circle meets: Sep 13 | Sep 27 | Oct 11 | Oct 25 — all Tuesdays.