Foundations of Sociocracy – The Sociocracy Consulting Group

Our first level of experiential training gives you essential tools for exploring the Sociocratic Circle-organization Method in your existing or forming organization.

Rave reviews!

"The Foundations of Sociocracy course was one of the most practical and engaging online courses I have attended. The facilitators and other participants were supportive and the process of learning was an excellent simulation that had context and really set the scene for applying this effective, transparent and equitable method in my business. I absolutely use sociocracy with my fellow directors with the help of the guides and resources provided in the training. Our policy meetings are now enjoyable!"

- Tonielle Christensen, Director of Organic Motion Permaculture, Kuranda, QLD, Australia

The class sessions include:

Introduction to sociocratic values, principles and practices
Consent decision making - implementing equivalence and effectiveness
Circle (policy) meetings, roles, and elections - organizing work
Organizational structure - how to scale equivalence, consent, feedback, and transparency.
Operational effectiveness strategies
Inclusive facilitation and leadership skills

A mix of interactive simulations, practice sessions, and exercises, presentation of essential information, and time for participant questions and feedback are part of every training session.

This training is offered online and in person - see our events calendar for the next scheduled Foundations of Sociocracy trainings in English and in French.

Online as a series of six 2 1/2 hour interactive video conference classes, combined with between-class assignments. Online contact time is a minimum of 15 hours and instructor feedback between classes is included in the class fees.
In person as a two to three day intensive training with a minimum of 15 hours contact time (other formats available by special arrangement).

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Additional information for online courses:

There is approximately half an hour to one and a half hours of between-class homework assignments, with instructor feedback.
We record all sessions so that you can listen and catch up if you miss a class.
We provide a certificate of completion for students who attend at least four classes live, and verify they have audited the recordings of sessions they are not able to attend.

In-House Foundations of Sociocracy Option
We offer our Foundations of Sociocracy training in-house by arrangement. The required workshop contact time and between-class assignments can be scheduled to meet your organization’s needs and objectives. In-house training is an excellent method for building organizational capacity and effective leadership within your organization.

A Collective Effort Like no Other

When we set up the International Conscious Movement Teachers Association we wanted to create a genuinely inclusive organisation run on a less hierarchical model. It’s been quite a journey - learning new ways of being - transparency, equivalence...passing decisions off to those responsible for the area of work - and letting them get on with it! We ended up with a lot more than we had bargained for...a collective effort like no other, and intelligent decision-making that genuinely stems from collaboration and creativity. The biggest surprise for many of us is how heart-warming the process is - and how it supports the making of bonds between us.

Tim Foskett, Director, International Conscious Movement Teachers Association

Increased Profits the First Year

Sociocracy has made a big difference in Creative Urethanes’ ability to withstand the economic downturn. We saw increased profits within the first year of using the method. Over time we have applied it to many areas of the company. As a result we have better communication throughout the company, lower employee turnover, more energy in staff members due to increased involvement, more creative ideas that help us thrive in our industry, and continuous improvement within the organization. Best for me is I have more assistance—having everyone’s help during hard economic times has lifted some weight off my shoulders.

Richard Heitfield, President, Creative Urethanes, Winchester, Virginia

Increased Staff Engagement

Our practitioners and members of the staff seemed happy enough, but they weren't really engaged in the business of running our center. All the management thinking seemed to float up to me. Now, with sociocracy, everyone is communicating about our processes. We are getting more efficient and some of the load is coming off my shoulders.

Executive Director of a Vermont healthcare center

Incredible Results

I recommend sociocracy. It's completely, really taken us by surprise. We didn't expect to adopt it, then we didn't expect to adopt it so quickly, and we had no idea the results would be so incredible. I would like to find a way to let more organizations know about it.

Renee Owen, Executive Director, Rainbow Community School, Asheville, North Carolina