Language: Español

Broadcast Thursday, May 2nd, 2024

Some of you may not know this, but I grew up in and live in the Ohio River Valley – a part of the Midwest in the US. There are many things I love about the land and the people here; but some aspects of the regional culture are also challenging. One characteristic is being fiercely independent. While the “I can do it on my own” attitude can be empowering; it can also isolate us and keep us from seeing the place of interdependence in our lives. 

This week I’ve been reflecting on the power of interdependence and how sociocratic circles foster healthy relationships. We work together towards our aims while sharing our various perspectives. We depend on each other to show up fully so that the decisions we make together help us navigate our fears and concerns. A mentor once helped me to understand the power that governance has when a group decision resonates deeply. He helped me to understand the links between the power of the heart; courage; and governance together. 

In SoFA General Circle, we have been working on laying the foundation for agreements in the Network Model. We are still exploring the model–no final decisions have been made about adopting it yet. Where there is concern or fear, we are working to hear each other. Although it can be hard at times, I am ultimately grateful to be navigating these waters together with you. 

Please keep lifting up your voices together with me. Please keep sharing the brightest parts of your mind and heart as we bring sociocracy to the world. 

Rhonda Baird

Operational Leader

💡 Sociocratic Tips

Beyond Top-Down Budgeting: Reinventing how money moves inside an organization.

In this session, Rachel share how a new system was created for money to flow inside Zappos to support self-managed, market-based teams. Moving from top-down budgeting, where the money and decision-making power resided in the hands of a few people at the top, to customer-generated budgeting, where teams acted as service providers and customers, setting prices and investing in their teams as they saw fit.

Explore our extensive archive of past conference talks and stay updated on upcoming events.

🤗 Community

Get your member ticket for the Annual Sociocracy Conference!

The upcoming conference centers around the theme of “The Interrelated Nature of Sociocracy.” It delves into the concept of governance as the intersection of people, intentions, and actions, emphasizing how Sociocracy fosters better interaction and alignment among individuals. The focus is on exploring interrelatedness, both between people and organizations, as well as between movements. Attendees can expect networking opportunities, insightful discussions, and practical learning experiences aimed at fostering a world of dignity and shared power.

We offer a Sliding Scale Pricing for members, so be sure to secure your ticket to gain access to all conferences.

💙 New Members

Mary Simpson (Canada) – Supporting member

🥳Fun

International Workers’ Day

Hey everyone,

Happy International Workers’ Day! As we kick back and reflect on what it means to work, let’s chat about something close to our hearts: making work better. You know, that thing called sociocracy? It’s all about shaking up the way we work for the better.

I remember the days when I was stuck in the grind of the traditional NGO world, feeling pretty miserable. But then I stumbled upon sociocracy and everything changed. Now, whenever I find myself in a meeting that’s not sociocratic, it’s like swimming upstream! Having a facilitator makes all the difference, right?

So, on this Workers’ Day, let’s swap stories. How has sociocracy made your work life better? And where do you think it’s headed in the future of work? Let’s dive in and chat about it in the forum.

Pame Carmona
SoFA Support Services Circle