One of the four principles of sociocracy is that we organize ourselves in circles.
¶ What are circles?
Circles are small working groups with up to 10 people. These working groups may make decisions on a particular topic - their domain. What a circle can and cannot do is laid down in their mandate.
Each group can be split up into circles. If a circle becomes too large, it can also split up into subcircles and further divide the tasks.
Within a circle we make decisions on things that have long term effects, like our strategy. We use decision-making with consent, also a principle of sociocracy. Each circle makes decisions on topics within its own domain, but they also have to work together. We do this with double linkage, another one of the 4 principles.
¶ What does that look like in practice?
If you take the national organization of the movement as an example, this is split up in all kinds of national circles. For example, there's a Media & Communication circle and a Tech circle. Many national circles also have subcircles. One example of this is the Integration Circle, which welcomes new rebels. This circle has subcircles for organising the online introduction and welcoming people one on one.
Local groups also often have different circles. For keeping track of social media, organising actions and organising social activities, for example.
To get a better picture, in the image below you you see can see what a school board can look like when it is divided into circles.
¶ Why is Extinction Rebellion organised in circles?
In a circle structure, groups themselves decide on things they specialise in. This way they can act quickly and their members feel more involved. We make decisions with everyone's consent. This way everyone's voice is equal. This leads to transparency and trust. The circle structure makes it easier to adapt to changes. And the odds of someone taking advantage of power are smaller.
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