Using Sociocracy in Nonprofits
Why choose sociocracy for nonprofits?
Mission-driven organizations and sociocracy are a great fit. Using sociocracy in nonprofits helps with getting things done – it also helps doing good inside the organization.
By bringing sociocracy to your nonprofit, you can make sure that every voice is heard, decreasing burnout, and increasing effectiveness. Effective structures increase the capacity to further the organization’s vision and mission.
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“(We need) both, the effectiveness as a business and the inclusiveness and equivalence to be aligned with the social values and mission of the social enterprise.”
Gehan Macleod, Galgael
Tools for non-profits
Join a class
Sociocracy for All offers free introductory trainings and many other trainings for individuals, groups and more.
Learn together
Our Empowered Learning Circles self-paced video curriculum training is perfect for a nonnprofit group that wants to learn together.
Coaching
Talk to one of our experienced coaches to help you with your implementation.
Network
Learn more about specific organizations through our list of nonprofits using sociocracy.
What does sociocracy in nonprofits look like?
Sociocracy varies in different organizations in practice. Check out these case studies to learn more in-depth about real-life examples.
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Programs for schools: Mindfulness First.
Mindfulness first is a nonprofit that promotes mindfulness in schools and beyond.
How do I get started using sociocracy?
Scroll down for more articles, books, or videos to help get you oriented. Our content page is full of resources. Optionally, you could attend a free one hour webinar to learn more about sociocracy!
Attend a free intro webinar
How are sociocratic nonprofits structured?
Nonprofits using sociocracy often use circle structures for their organization. Circle structures are like interconnected committees that each have a particular area of decision-making responsibility. Organizing in a circle structure balances effectiveness with an equivalence of voice.
Featured Resources for Using Sociocracy in Nonprofits
Sociocracy in nonprofits
Watch this 45-min presentation on sociocracy in nonprofit organizations.
How to run an engaging board meeting
Sociocracy’s meeting structure explained jargo-free to share with your board.
3 tools from sociocracy to use right away (plus magic phrases!)
Easy steps to implement sociocracy in your groups
Dynamic governance for nonprofit organizations
Read how dynamic governance apply to nonprofit organizations
More Resources on Sociocracy in Nonprofits
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Breaking Out of the Nonprofit Industrial Complex
Sociocracy is an alternative form of governance in non-profits that supports broad participation and equity in decision-making.
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Policy and Operations
Collaborative decision-making can be fast and efficient if we have clear guidelines what decisions are made by groups, and what decisions can simply made by a designated person in a role.
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How SoFA uses sociocracy (webinar recording)
How does the nonprofit Sociocracy For All use sociocracy? Our refinements added to sociocracy allow for more flexibility and better community-support. Have a look!
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Self-Organization – a leap into the unknown
There are organizations, and in them people, who will never see the value in involving employees in shared governance. There are those who, although they feel the growing discomfort of working ‘in the old way’, remain full of fears and doubts about the incomprehensible concept of self-organization.
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Sociocracy in nonprofits (presentation)
Despite best intentions, many non-profits still copy the hierarchical structures of corporate businesses and replicate the power systems that are contributing to the societal issues we see. How could nonprofits benefit from self-organization and shared power?
