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.

Fewer Meetings, Better Decisions

We adopted sociocracy and all of a sudden there is a room full of empowered people helping make decisions. People feel different. I’d say that at the end of 100% of our circle meetings - where we set policy - everyone says, 'My goodness. I feel so much more energized.' We have fewer meetings over time as we’ve implemented sociocracy, the decisions are better, and the follow-through is better because everyone’s on board.

Paul Kervick, Outreach Coordinator and Board Member, Vermont

All voices heard

I was especially struck by how the structure of the meeting allowed all voices to be heard, and resisted any one person dominating the discussion. I have held leadership positions in several nonprofit organizations and work with nonprofits in my consulting business, so I have spent a lot of time in meetings! I think so many organizations -- not just nonprofits -- will find they can accomplish more, and more inclusively, using a sociocratic meeting model.

Kristen Sbrogna, parent at Five Creeks Studio educational resource center for homeschooling families

Productive Give and Take

Sociocracy is very effective at creating a productive give-and-take between the manifold perspectives that exist in any university. The inner core of an organization can express itself more fully once the rigid categories of levels and hierarchies are abandoned in favor of a more integrated model.

Dr. Edward Clift, Dean, The School of Media Culture and Design at Woodbury University, Burbank, CA

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

Perfectly Suited to Deep Transformation

Sociocracy allowed the Institut français to develop by strengthening the commitment and cohesion of its personnel around its educational and community mission in a particularly difficult development context. Sociocracy allows a human relations management style perfectly suited to environments in deep transformation. Undoubtedly, this was the key to the success of the Institut français.

Dominique Sarny, former Director of the Institut français, University of Regina

Easy, Efficient Delegation

Since we've adopted sociocracy, it's much easier and more efficient for me to delegate. I'm able to receive information from the staff, the faculty, and all the different committees in a much more efficient fashion. I can't tell you how much more enjoyable my job is.

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